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2008 Nissan Versa Quality Review

July 6, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Larger and more comfortable than other entry-level hatchbacks and sedans
Edmunds

Roomiest interior of any car in its class
Mother Proof

Highlighted by lots of soft-touch materials
ConsumerGuide

A ton of head- and legroom in front and back
Cars.com

For an entry-level car, the 2008 Nissan Versa genuinely surprises in terms of comfort, room, and overall quality, especially in SL trim.

The 2008 Nissan Versa offers seating room for five, but squeezing an adult into the middle rear seat can be a challenge. Overall, however, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com find that "the Nissan Versa's interior is notable for its spaciousness," as Edmunds reviewers put it. They find that the "tall roof makes headroom a non-issue, and its expansive legroom lets 6-foot-plus passengers sit comfortably in either the front or rear." Cars.com also adds that "the backseat actually has a ton of room, more than in a lot of midsize sedans," and "the seats are reclined a bit, which helps with headroom." However, despite the admirable overall comfort in the Nissan Versa, some reviewers, such as those at Mother Proof, find that the rear seats aren't "that comfortable, so longer drives could start to wear on your back." Most reviewers thought the seats were comfortable, though.

Interior space is easily one of the highlights on the 2008 Nissan Versa, as Nissan has done an incredible job of maximizing the volume inside the car. Beginning with the back of the car, reviewers at The Auto Channel find that they "had excellent trunk room (17.8 cubic feet)" during their drive, even with the rear seats in place, but if they need to, they could have folded those seats "to create the maximum carrying capacity of 50.4 cubic feet." Inside the cabin, Mother Proof reviewers are impressed by the "six cupholders." Other reviewers also approve of the practicality of the interior on Nissan's 2008 Versa, with ConsumerGuide writing, "there is plenty of interior storage, including front and rear map pockets."

Materials and build quality on the 2008 Nissan Versa brought divergent opinions. ConsumerGuide feels that the "interior is highlighted by lots of soft-touch materials and classy looking gauges -- uncommon at this price point." Cars.com testers also loved the "high-quality feel of the controls and dashboard materials" on their Nissan 2008 Versa. Car and Driver reviewers blast the "budget" interior and the fact that "hard plastics are omnipresent."

Despite the 2008 Nissan Versa's many redeeming comfort and quality features, it has intrusive noise levels. ConsumerGuide writes, "the quiet highway ride is disturbed by modest wind noise from the mirrors and some coarse-surface tire thrum." Edmunds also notes that the CVT "results in a raucous cabin environment" that is characterized by "noisy and gruff" engine sounds.

Conclusion

The 2008 Nissan Versa sports impressive interior space, but engine noise and some trim pieces detract.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Larger and more comfortable than other entry-level hatchbacks and sedansEdmundsRoomiest interior of any car in its classMother ProofHighlighted by lots of soft-touch materialsConsumerGuideA ton of head- and legroom in front and backCars.com For an entry-level car, the 2008 Nissan Versa genuinely surprises in terms of comfort, room, and overall quality, especially in SL trim. The 2008 Nissan Versa offers seating room for five, but squeezing an adult into the middle rear seat can be a challenge. Overall, however, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com find that "the Nissan Versa's interior is notable for its spaciousness," as Edmunds reviewers put it. They find that the "tall roof makes headroom a non-issue, and its expansive legroom lets 6-foot-plus passengers sit comfortably in either the front or rear." Cars.com also adds that "the backseat actually has a ton of room, more than in a lot of midsize sedans," and "the seats are reclined a bit, which helps with headroom." However, despite the admirable overall comfort in the Nissan Versa, some reviewers, such as those at Mother Proof, find that the rear seats aren't "that comfortable, so longer drives could start to wear on your back." Most reviewers thought the seats were comfortable, though. Interior space is easily one of the highlights on the 2008 Nissan Versa, as Nissan has done an incredible job of maximizing the volume inside the car. Beginning with the back of the car, reviewers at The Auto Channel find that they "had excellent trunk room (17.8 cubic feet)" during their drive, even with the rear seats in place, but if they need to, they could have folded those seats "to create the maximum carrying capacity of 50.4 cubic feet." Inside the cabin, Mother Proof reviewers are impressed by the "six cupholders." Other reviewers also approve of the practicality of the interior on Nissan's 2008 Versa, with ConsumerGuide writing, "there is plenty of interior storage, including front and rear map pockets." Materials and build quality on the 2008 Nissan Versa brought divergent opinions. ConsumerGuide feels that the "interior is highlighted by lots of soft-touch materials and classy looking gauges -- uncommon at this price point." Cars.com testers also loved the "high-quality feel of the controls and dashboard materials" on their Nissan 2008 Versa. Car and Driver reviewers blast the "budget" interior and the fact that "hard plastics are omnipresent." Despite the 2008 Nissan Versa's many redeeming comfort and quality features, it has intrusive noise levels. ConsumerGuide writes, "the quiet highway ride is disturbed by modest wind noise from the mirrors and some coarse-surface tire thrum." Edmunds also notes that the CVT "results in a raucous cabin environment" that is characterized by "noisy and gruff" engine sounds. ConclusionThe 2008 Nissan Versa sports impressive interior space, but engine noise and some trim pieces detract.  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.

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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!

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