Used 2018 Nissan Versa

With a base price below $13,000, the 2018 Nissan Versa is an affordable, comfortable and economical subcompact sedan with a roomy interior, large trunk and popular features. It’s also the least expensive new car available in the United States, undercutting its competition that includes the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris iA, Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta and Mitsubishi Mirage. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the Versa S, but move up to the Versa S Plus and you get an automatic transmission, Bluetooth, a rear spoiler and cruise control for an additional $2,200. Buyers can also step up to the Versa SV, which is the top of the range. All models are powered by a 109-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is light, even for this class, while the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit both offer better driving dynamics.

Looking at its base price, it’s easy to expect the 2018 Nissan Versa to be as rough-riding as a stage coach and just as noisy. Slow too, and with a driver’s seat that feels like a milk crate. Wrong. Our Versa SV test vehicle was a pleasant surprise from behind its leather-wrapped steering wheel. It’s comfortable, quiet for its class, and it feels substantial going down the road. No, it’s not going to pamper you like a new Mercedes or thrill you like a supercar, but the Versa is agile and its little 4-cylinder engine has just enough power to move the little sedan with zip. There’s good steering feel, plus a tight turn radius that makes parking this small sedan a snap, excellent visibility, comfortable and supportive seats, and good head- and legroom. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is extremely smooth and increases fuel economy compared to the 5-speed manual.

The interior of the 2018 Nissan Versa is comfortable, ergonomically sensible and nicely assembled. It’s also one of the most spacious in its class. Rear passengers get 37 inches of legroom, three inches more than in the Chevy Sonic. Headroom is also generous. Even the trunk is big with its 14.9 cubic feet, which expands when you fold the rear seatbacks on the SV trim. The design isn’t fancy, and the controls and materials are all basic. The three knobs that control the air conditioning and heat are well-sized, and the infotainment system is easy to use. The tilt steering wheel and height-adjustable seat made getting comfortable easy.

From some angles it’s easy to confuse the 2018 Nissan Versa with the larger and more expensive Nissan Sentra and Altima sedans. The Versa, with its long 102.4-inch wheelbase and 175.4-inch overall length, is big for the subcompact class, and it looks aspirational with its chrome grille surround, our test car’s chrome door handles and its body-color outside mirrors. The Versa’s tall doors make entry and exit easier, and the long rear doors simplify installing a child safety seat. You get nicer-looking alloy wheels and fog lights with the optional SV Special Edition Package, which is available only on the top SV trim level.

GENEROUS REAR-SEAT LEGROOM
With its expansive 102.4-inch wheelbase, which is long for the subcompact class, the 2018 Nissan Versa offers an impressive amount of rear-seat legroom. It measures 37 inches, which is more than you get in most of its competitors including the Chevy Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.

HIGH FUEL ECONOMY
The 2018 Nissan Versa may not be as powerful or fun-to-drive as some of its rivals, but its fuel economy is impressive. Models with the Xtronic CVT are rated 31 mpg in the city and 39 mpg out on the highway. Those numbers make it more fuel efficient than the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Chevy Sonic.

The basic 2018 Nissan Versa is pretty basic, but it does come with air conditioning, power mirrors, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/aux audio system, tilt steering wheel, trip computer, Bluetooth for your phone, front disc/rear drum brakes, 15-inch steel wheels with covers, vanity mirrors and a rear defroster. It also comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and hand-cranked manual windows. If you want such features as power windows, power door locks, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, or even a remote trunk release, you’ll have to step up to a higher trim level, such as the S Plus or SV trims.

Climbing the model ladder is the best way to get more stuff on the 2018 Versa. The mid-level S Plus gets a rear spoiler, cruise control, power windows, and the CVT automatic. Top-of-the-line SV models gain upgraded seat fabric, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, 6-way manual driver’s seat, power door locks, and keyless entry with push-button start. All Versa models above basic S get the CVT automatic transmission. The SV Special Edition is the only option package this year, and for just $500 it adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, fog lights, front fascia chrome, and a Piano Black console lid. Also available is a set of black alloy wheels for $495.

The only engine available in the front-wheel-drive 2018 Nissan Versa sedan is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 109 horsepower. That’s not a lot of power, but the Versa’s not a lot of car, either. Besides, with the CVT automatic transmission it gets an impressive 39 mpg on the highway according to the EPA. If you get the basic Versa S you get a standard 5-speed manual transmission but we suggest skipping it and moving up to the S Plus model with the automatic if you can.

1.6-liter inline-4
109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
107 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/36 mpg (5-speed manual), 31/39 mpg (CVT automatic)