Choosing a Smart May Be Getting Smarter
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Nissan Versa Review

July 6, 2008

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

I don't know many people who would call the Versa sedan a looker
Cars.com

Hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite
Car and Driver

Controls are logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked
ConsumerGuide

The 2008 Nissan Versa arrives in dealer showrooms with an exterior that is unchanged from its 2007 model year debut. The 2008 Nissan Versa is available either as a hatchback or sedan.

For Nissan's 2008 Versa lineup, Edmunds says that "both body styles come in base 1.8 S and more upscale 1.8 SL trim levels," though the only external differences are "alloy wheels" on the 1.8 SL. The exterior of the Nissan Versa certainly isn't exciting, but it is practical and a bit of an optical illusion. Cars.com reviewers write that "at first glance, you might think the Nissan Versa sedan is a subcompact," but in reality, it's "less than an inch shorter than a Honda Civic and just two inches shorter than a Mazda3." The reason for the subcompact appearance is the "funky front end, tall roofline and squished rear," which Cars.com says is a "look that's common to Japanese subcompacts," although on the 2008 Nissan Versa, those elements "don't flow together well." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show mixed reactions, but they tend to agree with Motor Trend's opinion that the hatchback is "the more distinct-looking sibling." Kelley Blue Book reviewers don't mind the exterior styling, writing that "the tidy Versa succeeds at not being boxy or bland," and they note that the car's proportions make it "exceptionally easy to enter." Car and Driver says the style is "hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite."

Inside, the 2008 Nissan Versa is designed to maximize the space afforded by its small dimensions, and the Nissan designers have done an incredible job in that regard. Mother Proof writes that the interior is "far bigger" than it appears from the outside, while Cars.com describes it as "cavernous." Those same Cars.com reviewers also approve of the dash inside the Nissan Versa, finding that it "appears more like its big brother, the Sentra," a slightly more expensive vehicle in Nissan's 2008 lineup. ConsumerGuide also gives the interior high marks for the "logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked" controls.

Conclusion

Although bland both inside and out, the 2008 Nissan Versa is designed to offer maximum space and practicality, and it delivers.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:I don't know many people who would call the Versa sedan a lookerCars.comHardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetiteCar and DriverControls are logically placed and, for the most part, clearly markedConsumerGuide The 2008 Nissan Versa arrives in dealer showrooms with an exterior that is unchanged from its 2007 model year debut. The 2008 Nissan Versa is available either as a hatchback or sedan. For Nissan's 2008 Versa lineup, Edmunds says that "both body styles come in base 1.8 S and more upscale 1.8 SL trim levels," though the only external differences are "alloy wheels" on the 1.8 SL. The exterior of the Nissan Versa certainly isn't exciting, but it is practical and a bit of an optical illusion. Cars.com reviewers write that "at first glance, you might think the Nissan Versa sedan is a subcompact," but in reality, it's "less than an inch shorter than a Honda Civic and just two inches shorter than a Mazda3." The reason for the subcompact appearance is the "funky front end, tall roofline and squished rear," which Cars.com says is a "look that's common to Japanese subcompacts," although on the 2008 Nissan Versa, those elements "don't flow together well." Other reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show mixed reactions, but they tend to agree with Motor Trend's opinion that the hatchback is "the more distinct-looking sibling." Kelley Blue Book reviewers don't mind the exterior styling, writing that "the tidy Versa succeeds at not being boxy or bland," and they note that the car's proportions make it "exceptionally easy to enter." Car and Driver says the style is "hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite." Inside, the 2008 Nissan Versa is designed to maximize the space afforded by its small dimensions, and the Nissan designers have done an incredible job in that regard. Mother Proof writes that the interior is "far bigger" than it appears from the outside, while Cars.com describes it as "cavernous." Those same Cars.com reviewers also approve of the dash inside the Nissan Versa, finding that it "appears more like its big brother, the Sentra," a slightly more expensive vehicle in Nissan's 2008 lineup. ConsumerGuide also gives the interior high marks for the "logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked" controls. ConclusionAlthough bland both inside and out, the 2008 Nissan Versa is designed to offer maximum space and practicality, and it delivers.  2008 NISSAN VERSA STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: "I don't know many people who would call the Versa sedan a looker" Car and Driver: "Hardly a recipe to whet the collective American appetite" ConsumerGuide: "Controls are logically placed and, for the most part, clearly marked" The ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Nissan Versa appeals to buyers who are looking for lower fuel bills and car payments, without giving up the comfort and features of a larger car. But at its best, at 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway with the CVT automatic, the Versa's fuel economy isn't as good as other vehicles in its price and size range. For instance, the Yaris rates up to 29 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, but like most of these vehicles, the Yaris doesn't feel as roomy inside or have as smooth a ride. The other best-riding alternative is the Chevrolet Aveo, but the Aveo has especially unimpressive fuel economy and safety. Kia's Rio and Rio5 hatchback feel sportier than the rest of the crowd, as does the xD. But the best vehicle in this class is the Honda Fit, which admittedly costs a bit more and is only available as a hatchback. However, it feels sporty, handles well, promises good safety, and has a standout, minivan-like Magic Seat arrangement that allows an especially low, flat cargo floor.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Nissan Versa

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Nissan Versa

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Nissan Versa near you

See the Nissan Versa in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Ex Versa Owner #1, Posted: 7/23/2008

    4 dr manual sedan a let-down

    I bought my brand new 08 versa, 6-spd, 4 dr sedan at the end of April. 3 months and over 6,000 miles later, I still didn't see the "great gas milage" that was promised once "the engine gets broken in a bit." 90% of my driving is highway, and driving in 6th gear resulted in a lot of engine noise (my number one grievance, ahead of even the low mpg's)and the strain you'd normally feel in a 5-speed when you try to go 65 in 4th gear. While these issues did not lead me to trade in my car (a late night encounter with a deer on the highway effectively put an end to my relationship with the versa, as it was totalled due to the blow to the computer) I do not plan to buy another one!

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy