2018 Nissan Versa Review
Price Range:Â $4,995 - $13,990





Edmunds' Expert Review

by James Riswick
Edmunds Contributor
James Riswick has been testing cars and writing about them for more than 20 years. He was the senior reviews editor for Autoblog and previously served multiple editor roles here at Edmunds. He has also contributed to Autotrader, Car and Driver, Hagerty, JD Power and Autoguide Magazine. He has been interested in cars forever; his mom took him to the Toronto Auto Show when he was 18 months old and has attended at least one every year since (OK, except in 2020). He owns a babied 1998 BMW Z3 in James Bond blue and a 2023 Kia Niro EV.
Pros
- Giant back seat for such a small car
- Rides comfortably over bumps
- Roomy trunk
- Low base price
Cons
- Driving experience, style and personality are all bland
- Noisy and slow acceleration
- No telescoping steering wheel
- Low-rent cabin materials
What's new
- SL trim has been discontinued
- Base trim has a manual transmission only
- Part of the second Versa generation introduced for 2012
The 2018 Nissan Versa offers a huge back seat and trunk, a comfy ride and good fuel economy. It's also one of the least expensive cars around, at least in base form. If you're a driver for Lyft or Uber, a Versa could very well be an ideal car. But if you're car shopping isn't based on such obvious commercial reasons, the Versa stops making as much sense.
For sale nearby
55 listings
- $7,991fair price
- 110,220 miles
- 1 accident, 3 owners, rental vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Fred Haas Toyota World (89 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Spring, TX
WHOLESALE PRICED!! LAST CHANCE TO BUY THIS!! HEADED TO THE AUCTION IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS!! FINAL PRICE!! WE WOULD RATHER PASS THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU, IN...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
34 Combined MPG (31 City/39 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1CN7AP3JL815898
Stock: JL815898T
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-08-2025 - $7,498fair price$394 below market
- 121,575 miles
- 1 accident, 4 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Seth Wadley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (387 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Pauls Valley, OK
New Price! 2018 Fresh Powder Nissan Versa 1.6 SV FWD CVT with Xtronic 1.6L 4-Cylinder DOHC 16V WTP, This Nissan Versa has many features and is well eq...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
34 Combined MPG (31 City/39 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1CN7AP6JL838348
Stock: JC1755B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-01-2025
The Versa's base trim level provides so little equipment we think most car shoppers are going to want the SV trim level and its Special Edition package. That raises the price to a point more typical of the subcompact class. And when the Versa is compared to similarly priced rivals, its appeal dims considerably.
That's because Versa is innocuously styled, boring to drive, and has a low-rent cabin that will never let you forget how little you paid. Competitors are more stylish, better-equipped and enjoyable to drive. So while there is certainly something to be said for getting a big-car interior for not much money, we think shopping around a bit is a good idea before settling on this über Uber car.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The 2018 Nissan Versa offers a huge back seat and trunk, a comfy ride and good fuel economy. It's also one of the least expensive cars around, at least in base form. However, adding even basic features raises the price. And at that point, you might as well consider some more desirable competitors.
Driving
The Versa is a bland car to drive. It's slow to accelerate and feels soft and disconnected when you're driving around turns. It also gets noisy because of the droning engine caused by the continuously variable transmission. There isn't much good to say.
Comfort
The Versa has a soft, springy ride that soaks up bumps quite well. Seat comfort is hampered by a lack of adjustability. And interior noise is excessive when accelerating aggressively due to the underpowered engine and the CVT.
Interior
The Versa has a big back seat and it's easy to see out of, but that's about all that's good. The driving position suffers from lack of standard height adjustability and steering-wheel telescoping. Visibility is expansive. The quality of interior materials is subpar.
Utility
Its 14.9-cubic-foot trunk challenges those of midsize sedans for space. It's enormous for a subcompact sedan. A folding rear seatback is found only in the SV. Small-item storage is poor apart from a big glovebox.
Technology
Tech is pretty much restricted to a rearview camera, a USB port, Bluetooth streaming audio and a touchscreen. No accident avoidance tech is available.
Which Versa does Edmunds recommend?
We think it would be hard to live without the extras provided by the SV trim level as well as the SV's Special Edition package content (especially the USB port, rearview camera and height-adjustable driver seat). Basically, buy as much Versa as you can afford.
Compare 2018 Nissan Versa trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2018 Nissan Versa models
The 2018 Nissan Versa is a subcompact sedan available in S, S Plus and SV trim levels. There is also a Versa Note hatchback, but there are a number of significant differences and we review it separately. Every Versa sedan comes standard with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (109 horsepower, 107 pound-feet of torque). The base S trim comes only with a five-speed manual transmission, and the S Plus and SV come only with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Standard equipment on the base S includes 15-inch steel wheels, power mirrors, manual locks and crank windows, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
The S Plus adds an automatic transmission, cruise control and a rear spoiler.
The SV trim adds upgraded cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, a driver-seat armrest, a 60/40-split folding back seat, power locks and windows, keyless entry, a USB port, and a media player interface for the sound system. The SV's Special Edition package adds 15-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth audio streaming, satellite radio and a 5-inch touchscreen interface.
Partway through the model year (designated 2018.5 by Nissan), all Versas received a rearview camera and an updated infotainment system as standard equipment. The new 7-inch touchscreen features Bluetooth phone and audio support, a USB port, and voice commands via Apple's Siri Eyes Free program for iPhone users.

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Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 04/18 (1.6L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.71 per gallon for regular unleaded in Texas.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$109/mo  for Versa 1.6 S
Versa 1.6 S
vs
$141/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#13 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Versa from 2008-2022.$391/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.94x/yr
vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).10.6%
vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Nissan Versa Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(49%)
4(31%)
3(8%)
2(2%)
1(10%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
You gotta' love it...
5 out of 5 starsLeo, 10/03/2018
2018 Nissan Versa 1.6 S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
I drove my new 2015 for three years. No problems, no recalls; just fantastically cheap, reliable, comfortable transportation. I gave it to my "new driver" granddaughter and bought a new 2018 for myself. She doesn't need a TV screen, custom sound system, or three hundred horsepower to distract her. I sleep better at night.
2017 Versa My First Car
4 out of 5 starsAM, 12/09/2016
2017 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Plus 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
I went to Nissan looking to see what kind of car I could afford. I was not expecting to walk out and get into a new car! However, the car was suggested to me since it would be my first car. I have learned a lot about the Versa since I have had it for about 2 1/2 months. The car is comfortable the storage space is roomy especially for the back seats. The engine is noisy but the car runs … smoothly and has no problems manuevering in and out of traffic, parking spots etc. I understand it is a subcompact vehicle, so it will feel a little tight if you are taller person ( I am 5'9") but someone who is 6'5" has driven it and was comfortable while driving a lengthy distance(the seat had to be leaned back,)
fantastic commuter car
5 out of 5 starsmartin from madison, wi, 11/12/2018
2018 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
Not every person requires a 'fun' car with a 'personality'. I laugh reading car and driver reviews of the nissan versa. It's as if they were describing a person. I know it's so hard to believe that most of us commute to/from work, pick up kids etc. Where exactly are you supposed to put your high performance car to the test?...35 mph city streets with traffic lights every 1/8th of a … mile:). At any rate, I digress. This car offers everything you need to get from point A to point B safely, reliably and very economically (low cost of ownership combined with 40mpg) even in some of the worst winter weather Wisconsin has to offer. It has some of the most cabin and trunk space in its class. I've had my versa 4 years now, bought it used with 10k miles. It has 85k mi now. I have not had any issues with it at all, I change my own oil (I think that helps). I used to take my cars in to the mechanic for oil changes and it seems like not long after an oil change something would break. Once this car breaks down bad enough that it cannot be fixed I'll probably buy another versa if that tells you anything.
Quick update... 105000 miles on the odometer. Still loving the car.
Great economy car except handling in wind
5 out of 5 starsBob, 02/04/2019
2018 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
Only negative from 1500 miles driven as rental is lack of road feel from steering in any amount of wind except tail wind. Constant attention needed to stay in lane.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Nissan Versa, so we've included reviews for other years of the Versa since its last redesign.
2018 Versa Highlights
1.6 S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $12,110 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $109/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Versa models:
- Rearview camera
- Shows you what is happening behind your car through a display in the center console (SV Special Edition only).
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
- Uses various means to make sure the car stays under control and on the road when a spin or slide occurs.
- Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)
- Features front airbags, front side airbags in the front seats, and side curtain airbags that cover all side windows.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall4 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat4 / 5Back Seat4 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover14.3%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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