2018 Nissan Versa — Carivo review carivo.co
Sedan

2018 Nissan Versa

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $14,104–$18,004
Fuel Economy 29 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,810/yr

Key Specifications — 2018 Nissan Versa

Engine1.6L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG31 / 39 MPG
Combined MPG34 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,000
CO₂ Emissions260 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$14,104–$18,004

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2018 Nissan Versa

Our scoring places the 2018 Nissan Versa at 6.7/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.4/10, while Performance at 5.1/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.4/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.4/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 5.1/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.1/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $14,104–$18,004, 29 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Versa sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.4/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Our take: The 2018 Nissan Versa is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and technology and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2018 Nissan Versa ranks #1224 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 7% of the segment. Its 6.7/10 overall score is 0.8 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $14,104 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 49%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →

Which Versa Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2015 Nissan Versa scores 6.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 6.7 — and starts roughly $1,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 7.1/10$17,716 Read review →
2024 7.0/10$17,200 Read review →
2023 6.9/10$16,684 Read review →
2022 6.9/10$16,167 Read review →
2021 6.9/10$15,652 Read review →
2020 6.9/10$15,136 Read review →
2019 6.8/10$14,620 Read review →
2018 (this review) 6.7/10$14,104
2017 6.7/10$13,588 Read review →
2016 6.5/10$13,072 Read review →
2015 6.6/10$12,556 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2018 Nissan Versa

✓ What it does well

  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment

NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Nissan Versa (2 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical system / Ignition
21/08/2018 · 18V551000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical)…
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
12/09/2019 · 19V654000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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