2018 Nissan Versa ReviewThe 2018 Nissan Versa is an affordable subcompact sedan with attractive styling that is offered in a hatchback model for different consumer tastes. More...
Autolist Editorial | September 7, 2020
Pros:
- Very affordably priced and accessible to many new car shoppers.
- Compact design and good maneuverability.
- Comfortable seating in both front and rear seats.
Cons:
- Noisy cabin quality depending on driving conditions.
- Acceleration is sluggish and lacking in pep.
- Tech is sparse compared to rivals.
Would we buy one? Maybe, as an economical second vehicle.
Vehicle Type: Four-door subcompact sedan and five-door hatchback with seating for up to five.
Price Range: $12,995 MSRP going to $17,990 MSRP, before options. A $885 destination charge is included in pricing.
Powertrain: A sole powertrain for 2018 across all trims is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine making 109 horsepower and 107 pound-foot of torque.
Front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission are standard. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available.
Competitors: Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Spark, and Honda Fit.
Overall Score: 6.6/10
Safety Features: 5/10
Shoppers looking for a Nissan Versa for sale will find safety specs to be minimal in the Versa. Compared to rivals like the Kia Rio that offer a broader suite of standard features and safety equipment, the Versa delivers a minimal amount.
Included standard with the Versa are side-impact airbags and traction control.
The Nissan Versa SV and higher come standard with features like cruise control, but other advanced safety features are lacking.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administratio gave the 2018 Nissan Versa four out of five stars in crash tests and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2018 Versa an overall "Good" score.
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Value: 10/10
Nissan does an impressive job of offering an economical new car with standard performance and reliability at an extremely affordable price for the 2018 model year of the Versa.
The 2018 Nissan Versa has four trim levels and a hatchback variant. They are the Nissan Versa S Nissan, Versa S Plus, Versa SV, Versa SV Special Edition, and the Nissan Versa Note hatchback.
The Versa S starts the lineup at $12,995 MSRP with the S Plus start pricing at $15,900
The upper tier trims Nissan Versa SV and SV Special Edition package start at $17,490 and $17,990, respectively.
The hatchback variant is available in S, SV, and SR trims.
We liked the Nissan Note with the SR package. The upgraded specs include faux suede upholstery which adds a satisfying touch of luxury and the sporty exterior styles give it some character.
Tech Features: 5/10
The base trim levels are slim on infotainment features. Operations like window control are manual. For the price though, this can be expected.
Air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth come standard with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, WiFi, and ambient lighting as optional upgrades.
Upper tier trims offer more upgraded infotainment features including a 5-inch touchscreen with USB ports and keyless entry.
A rearview camera and power windows come standard on the SV trim and up as well as remote key entry.
The Nissan SV Special Edition gets further standard features including LED turn signals and fog lights. Optional upgrades like the SR Tech Package will get a larger touchscreen and navigation system.
Practicality: 7/10
Because the Nissan Versa is so compact, accessing storage in the cabin is easy. Front seats are surprisingly comfortable given its snug looking exterior. Rear seats are comfortable and have good legroom and headroom.
The Nissan Versa gets about 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space putting it ahead of rivals like the Kia Rio.
Styling & Design: 5/10
The Versa style has not changed much. It is fairly basic looking, but style is not the primary function of this sedan so its bland looks can be forgiven.
A hatchback model is offered for the Versa and it can be outfitted with an SR package that adds enhanced body style with a rear spoiler and exterior stylings.
Driving Experience: 5/10
For an economy vehicle, the ride quality is smooth with the CVT and a little hesitant with the 5-speed manual. City pavement with its irregularities doesn't affect the ride quality of the Versa.
Some consumers don't like the CVT transmission in vehicles but it works well for the Versa Note and comes standard with it.
Overall, the Versa is on par with rivals like Chevrolet Spark as far as ride quality and while it may not pack as much power as some, it still holds its own in performance.
Fuel Efficiency: 9/10
The Nissan Versa does fairly well for fuel economy, especially when equipped with the Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It is on par with rivals for gas mileage with a similar drivetrain and engine setup and even surpasses the fuel conscious Honda Fit in highway miles.
27/36/30 MPG city/hwy/combined according to EPA estimates when the Versa is equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission.
31/39/34 MPG city/hwy/combined when the Nissan Versa has the CVT drivetrain.
