hamburger icon

2018 Nissan Versa

Change vehicle or year
Select a Year - Nissan Versa
Preview
New
OR
Change Vehicle
Make
Nissan
Model
Versa
Year
2018
GO
OEM Exterior Primary
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
Interior Profile
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 1.6 S 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $12,110
2018 1.6 S 4dr Sedan 2018.5 Price:   -  From $12,310
2018 1.6 S+ 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $14,250
2018 1.6 S+ 4dr Sedan 2018.5 Price:   -  From $14,450
2018 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $15,840
2018 1.6 SV 4dr Sedan 2018.5 Price:   -  From $15,940

Overview

The 2018 Nissan Versa may be a subcompact sedan, but it adds the room and comfort found in larger models for just $12,875, making it the lowest priced new car in the US market.

What's New for 2018

For 2018, the Nissan Versa gains standard map lamps and adjustable front headrests for all models.

Nissan Versa

Choosing Your Nissan Versa

Nissan offers the front-wheel drive 2018 Versa sedan in three trims: S, S Plus, and SV. This model seats five, but is most comfortable for four – in fact, it's very comfortable for four, with 37 inches of legroom, a full two inches more than the mid-size Altima that's two classes above the Versa. Cargo space measures 14.9 cubic feet, which also rivals the 15.4 cubes in the Altima. On models with a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, expanded cargo space is available. The Versa Note hatchback is marketed separately.

All 2018 Versa sedans come with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission works alongside the engine in the base trim, earning an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The other two trims come with a continuously variable automatic transmission, making an EPA-estimated 31/39 city/highway.

Only the SV trim offers a package. However, 15-inch black alloy wheels are a $495 option across the model line.

Nissan Versa

S

Costing $12,875, the Versa S is the value leader. There are no options or upgrades available, however, including an automatic transmission. That's right, the base Versa isn't even available with an automatic.

It does have power-operated side mirrors, a tilt steering column, cloth seats, air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with a CD player, an audio input jack, and Bluetooth connectivity – we wouldn't mention most of this stuff normally, but it's a big deal on a sub-$13,000 car.

Nissan Versa

S Plus

Priced from $15,015, the Versa S Plus swaps out the manual gearbox for an automatic transmission. This model adds a rear spoiler with an integrated LED brake light, cruise control, and updated instrumentation. A fifth paint color, Cayenne Red, is also available.

Nissan Versa

SV

Costing $16,605, the Versa SV pulls out all the stops for this model – yes, we're speaking relatively. Key features with this version include keyless entry, a split fold-down rear seat, power windows and door locks, and upgraded fabric seats. For an additional $500, buyers may opt for a Special Edition Package adding fog lights, aluminum alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a five-inch display audio interface, satellite radio, and a rearview monitor.

CarsDirect Tip

Although the base model has an attractively low price, we recommend shoppers choose the SV with Special Edition Package. Here, you’ll enjoy a well-equipped small car equipped with (some) of the amenities today’s car buyers demand.

Get your price on a Nissan Versa »

author image
Contributing Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

The Nissan Versa is a subcompact model available as a sedan or hatchback, the latter called the Versa Note and marketed separately. The 2018 Nissan Versa sedan supplies excellent room and value for the segment, making new car affordability attainable for the masses.

Best Value

The front-wheel drive 2018 Nissan Versa comes in four trims: S, S+, SL and SV trims. All models come with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to either a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission. The stick is only available on the base Versa.

Our best pick here is the S Plus edition ($15,135, including an $885 destination charge) as it rises above the bare-bones model to deliver such features as a rear spoiler, cruise control and an automatic transmission without demanding too much cash. This model builds on already included features such as Bluetooth, a four-speaker audio system and a CD player.

  • Model: 2018 Nissan Versa S Plus
  • Engine: 1.6-liter inline-four
  • Output: 109 hp/107 lb-ft
  • Transmission:Continuously variable automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 31 City / 39 Hwy
  • Options: None
  • Base Price: $15,135
  • Best Value Price:$15,135

Performance

Nissan Versa

The 2018 Nissan Versa sedan comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. If those numbers seem low, they are. As a result, if you carry a full complement of passengers, you’ll feel just how sluggish this engine is. The Versa is clearly best for one or two people, but not for carrying a full load.

The standard five-speed manual transmission is limited to the base model, so you won’t find it on our recommended trim. That’s okay because the manual isn’t especially fun to work with, plus the thriftiest model uses the CVT.

The Versa’s steering is reasonably well weighted. Certainly, this small sedan isn’t fun to drive, but that’s not what it is about. Instead, it's a car that will take you faithfully from point to point without busting your budget.

Style

The Versa’s exterior is simple, if not straightforward, marked by the brand’s horse-collar grille up front and honed in by expressive headlamps. Overall, the canvas attempts to emulate Nissan’s larger models, but falls short, in part because of its size. The base model seems quite spartan, but once you move up the trim level chain you get such features as chrome trim and aluminum wheels. Still, the overall look is focused on value.

The interior is surprisingly roomy, nearly matching some compact models. Four can sit comfortably thanks to the ample second-row legroom, although squeezing a fifth person in to sit in the back requires some negotiation with passengers on either side. The tall roofline delivers an extra measure of room not available in most competing models. The 14.9-cubic-foot trunk is very large for this segment and offers more room than some midsize models.

The cabin is spartan with plastics and some soft-touch materials evident, although the latter seems in more abundance than some other models. The knobs and buttons are easy to discern, the layout is clean and the instrument panel is uncomplicated.

The Best and Worst Things

For a subcompact, the Versa sedan seems large. Indeed, it is the largest model in this segment. On the other hand, the list of amenities is quite small, thus a late-model used car may make better sense.

Right For...

Nissan Versa

The budget-minded individual who wants a new car and is limited to $15,000 or less. No model of this size can match the Versa in affordability, although some come close.

Wrong For...

The shopper who wants a long list of amenities. Sure, top-end models deliver such features as power windows and door locks, a USB port, and satellite radio. There is a trade-off with a low price and even some features commonly standard elsewhere will cost you extra if they’re available at all.

The Bottom Line

The Nissan Versa offers a big “V” as in value. And that’s the customer base Nissan is targeting for this car. If your budget isn’t as restricted the larger Nissan Sentra is the better choice, delivering the amenities absent in the Versa.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 109 HP / 107 ft.lbs.
Transmission
5-spd man w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
27 / 36 / 31 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 109 HP / 107 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
27 / 36 / 31 Mpg
Brakes
Front Disc/rear Drum
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
10.8 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$41
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
14.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
90 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
175.4 "
Exterior Width
66.7 "
Exterior Height
59.6 "
Front Headroom
39.8 "
Rear Headroom
36.6 "
Front Legroom
41.8 "
Rear Legroom
37.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
51.7 "
Rear Shoulder Room
51.9 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,404 Lbs.
Wheel Base
102 "
Turning Radius
17.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel / 15.0 " Black Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
4-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2018 Nissan Versa for Sale

4 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Nissan
1.6 SV
Color: Red
Price

$7,995

Mileage

93,505 mi

Map location icon

AutoSpeed Inc (23 mi)

Phone: (818) 249-4888
Nissan
1.6 S+
Color: Gray
Price

$7,995

Mileage

100,103 mi

Map location icon

Unique Auto Center (58 mi)

Phone: (909) 873-1111
Nissan
1.6 S+
Color: Black
Price

$11,599

Mileage

49,309 mi

Map location icon

California Motors Direct (34 mi)

Phone: (714) 515-6100
Nissan
1.6 S+
Color: Black
Price

$12,000

Mileage

58,509 mi

Map location icon

Airport Marina Honda (4 mi)

Phone: (866) 753-1868
See All Used Car Listings

Insider Information

We have information you must know before you buy the Versa. We want to send it to you, along with other pricing insights.

Sign Me Up

I agree to receive emails from CarsDirect. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. We will not spam you, and will never sell your email. Privacy Policy.

Thank you. You are now subscribed to our Pricing Insider updates.