2018 Nissan Versa Review: Reasonably Reliable Small Car With Low Running Costs

The 2018 Nissan Versa lasts around 200,000 miles with some minor throttle response and tail light issues reported. At $8,775 to $16,350, it’s a good value for a compact car with plenty of passenger room.

Is the 2018 Nissan Versa a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a good year for the Nissan Versa since it’s reasonably reliable, with a spacious cabin. Owner reviews praise the smooth ride, fuel economy, along with the low maintenance costs.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are fairly basic, the seats offer decent support on long drives, cargo space is also good in the trunk.
• Reliability 7/10 – There are no widespread problems found on the 2018 Versa, models from 2009–2016 have a lot of transmission problems while 2017–2022 are more dependable.
• Performance 5/10 – Performance is poor from the four-cylinder engine, although it’s more focused on efficiency rather than power.
• Safety 7/10 – The 2018 Nissan Versa is safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera in the middle of the year.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 34 MPG, giving 367 miles of range from the 10.8 gallon tank. Gas costs are $29 cheaper than average at $151 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2018 Nissan Versa is cheaper than many other small cars on the market with low ownership costs and reasonable depreciation rates, making it a good value.

What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Versa?

• Consumer Reports says the 2018 Nissan Versa offers excellent efficiency for a small car, with reasonable owner satisfaction scores as it ages.
• Edmunds rates the 2018 Versa at 4.1/5, enjoying the very spacious rear seat for a small car, but doesn’t like the noisy engine.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Versa a 3.9/5, praising the extremely affordable purchase price, but owners don’t like the lack of standard features.

What Common Problems Does the 2018 Nissan Versa Have?

Common problems found on the 2018 Nissan Versa include delayed throttle response, cracked tail light housings, along with some paint fade issues. Overall, these problems are similar to other small cars on the market, leading to average repair costs as the Versa ages.

Delayed throttle response is the most widespread complaint on the 2018 Nissan Versa, showing up at around 10,000 miles. Usually, the problem is caused by a clogged throttle body issue. Cleaning out the throttle body costs around $100, but if it’s severely damaged then it’s around $300 to replace.

Cracked taillight housings have also been reported by some 2018 Versa owners at roughly 20,000 miles. The top of the housing splits along the seam, and it can let the light fill with water. Replacing the housing is the only way to effectively fix the problem, and costs around $250.

Paint fade issues show up on some Nissan Versa models as well, especially on large flat surfaces like the roof, trunk, and hood. The problem is caused by leaving the car in direct sunlight for too long, allowing the clear coat to break down. The only way to fix the problem is by repainting the affected areas, at around $1,000 per panel.

There are two recalls on the 2018 Nissan Versa, which is similar to other small cars on the market. The first recall covers the ignition switch, which may turn off randomly, and the second is for the back-up camera software. Nissan will fix both issues on affected models for free.

How Long Will the 2018 Nissan Versa Last?

A well-maintained 2018 Nissan Versa sedan can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than some other small cars like the Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to many competitors, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $353 per year.

As a used 2018 Nissan Versa reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the windshield washer pump for $175, A/C drier assembly costing $300, along with the blower motor which costs $450.

How Is the Technology?

Standard entertainment technology is very basic, offering a simple four-speaker sound system with a CD player and 3.5mm AUX jack. Optional upgrades include a 5-inch touchscreen, or 7-inch Touchscreen.

The 2018 Nissan Versa has no standard safety technology, but in the middle of the year Nissan added a standard rearview camera for the 2018.5 model year.

Is the 2018 Nissan Versa a Good Value?

Yes, the 2018 Nissan Versa is a good value for a compact car since it offers decent technology and passenger room for its size. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $8,775 to $16,350, making it less than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $12,110 to $18,100. Depreciation is similar to other small cars, losing about 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Nissan Versa?

There are three models of the 2018 Nissan Versa, from the entry-level S to the more premium SV. The Versa comes standard with front-wheel drive on all models.

S is the entry-level model with:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Power mirrors
• Manual locks and crank windows
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Four-speaker sound system
• CD player
• Auxiliary audio jack
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers

S Plus is a step up, adding:

• All features of the S trim
• Automatic transmission
• Power windows
• Cruise control
• Rear spoiler

SV is the flagship model with:

• All features of the S Plus trim
• Upgraded cloth upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver seat
• Driver-seat armrest
• 60/40-split folding back seat
• Power locks and windows
• Keyless entry
• USB port
• Media player interface for sound system

SV’s Special Edition package (Optional):

• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Fog Lamps
• Rearview camera
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Satellite radio
• 5-inch touchscreen interface

For all trims from mid-2018 (named 2018.5 by Nissan):

• Rearview camera (Standard)
• Updated infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth phone and audio support
• USB port
• Siri Eyes Free program for iPhone users

What Engines Come In the Nissan Versa?

The 2018 Nissan Versa has a weak 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 109 horsepower at up to 34 MPG. It offers a 5-speed manual transmission or a smoother continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The 0-60 MPH time is a bit slow, at around 11.5 seconds.

What Colors Does the Nissan Versa Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Nissan Versa?

The 2018 Nissan Versa provides a comfortable ride, particularly when considering its position as a subcompact car. The Versa is designed with a spacious interior that belies its exterior dimensions, offering ample room for both front and rear passengers. In fact, it is often praised for its rear-seat legroom, which is more generous than many of its class rivals.

The Versa comes standard with cloth upholstery, which contributes to the overall comfort of the vehicle. The seats are well-cushioned, providing a pleasant experience on both short commutes and longer journeys. It should be noted, however, that the base model does not come with a standard height-adjustable driver’s seat, which might limit the seating comfort for some drivers.

On the road, the 2018 Versa offers a smooth ride, soaking up most road imperfections adequately. It’s not the most athletic car in its class, but its suspension is tuned more for comfort than for sporty handling.

However, it is worth noting that the base model of the Versa is somewhat lacking in modern comfort features. If you are seeking more luxury, the higher trim levels offer additional features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded upholstery, and a more advanced infotainment system.

How Much Storage Space Does the Nissan Versa Have?

The 2018 Nissan Versa offers a surprising amount of storage space for a subcompact car, giving users a high level of functionality. Specifically, the trunk of the Versa provides 14.9 cubic feet of storage space. This capacity is significantly more spacious compared to many competitors in its class, allowing for a larger load of items to be transported with ease.

To help visualize this capacity, consider that 14.9 cubic feet of space would allow you to comfortably store around 4-6 large suitcases or a lot of grocery bags. If you’re a musician, it could hold a large drum set or multiple guitars. It would also accommodate a stroller and a diaper bag, making it a practical choice for small families.

In addition to its generous trunk space, the 2018 Versa also has a split-folding rear seat. This feature allows for greater flexibility when more cargo space is needed, making it possible to haul longer items while still accommodating passengers. In conclusion, the 2018 Nissan Versa provides a surprising amount of storage, offering practicality for a variety of lifestyles and needs.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The second generation of the Nissan Versa was launched for the 2012 model year.

2015: Small exterior styling changes, improved cabin materials, and Bluetooth is standard on all models.

2016: Body-colored power mirrors and a new four-speaker sound system on all models.

2017: New SV Special Edition package available with interior changes.

2018: SL model removed from the lineup, Base model only offered with a manual transmission.

2019: SV Special Edition offers more features than earlier years.

2020: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new styling, engines, technology, and more safety features.

2021: No changes from other years.

How Does the Nissan Versa Compare to the Competition?

The 2018 Nissan Versa is a decent compact car if you’re in the market for something that is affordable and comfortable as long as you’re okay with it missing a lot of the advanced features found on competitors.

The Nissan Sentra is another small car which can be found for about $1,000 more. Passenger room and performance are slightly better in the Nissan Sentra, while the Nissan Versa has a smoother suspension. We recommend the Nissan Sentra since it features more standard technology, but both are very similar to each other.

The Hyundai Elantra is a competitor which is available for roughly $2,500 more. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Hyundai Elantra, while the Nissan Versa has a larger backseat with more legroom. We recommend the Hyundai Elantra since it has more advanced features paired with a longer warranty.

Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Versa?