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2008 Nissan Versa consumer reviews

$12,880 starting MSRP
side view of 2008 Versa Nissan
(65 reviews)
81% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 3.9
  • Performance 3.7
  • Value 4.2
  • Exterior 3.8
  • Reliability 4.2
Explore the 2008 Nissan Versa

New to Me!

I usually buy used cars, But was taken by this 2008 Versa when it called out my name and said buy! Though I am not yet at 1000 mi. I have no buyer's remorse and am thoroughly pleased. Comfort, mpg, turning radius (best in any car I have ever owned - and that's more than 45 years' worth) roomy trunk for such a small car, roomy back seat, too. Too new to make a judgement on reliability- but fored to by this site.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Fun to drive

I am delighted with my Versa. I live in the South so I use the air conditioning almost constantly and do a lot of around town driving. I still get between 29-30 miles per gallon. The seating in front and back accommodate a 6 foot man with quite long legs. He says he's comfortable riding in front or in the back. The car is responisve and just fun to drive. I have the SL with the upgrades associated with it and find the car a pleasure to drive.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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LOVE THE GAS MILAGE

I HAVE A 2008 VERSA HATCHBACK , CVT . I INSTALLED A "K&N" AIR FILTER . THE WIFE AND I TOOK A TRIP FROM PHOENIX AZ.TO LAUGHLIN , NV. ALL WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE IT WAS A COOL MORNING . ON THE WAY BACK HOME STOPPED FOR FUEL . IT AVERAGED 37 MPG ! I PLAN ON CHANGING TO A SYNTHETIC OIL AT MY 3,000 MILE MARK . MAYBE IT WILL SQUEEZE A LITTLE MORE MILES OUT OF THE GAS . SO FAR WE ARE VERY HAPPY WITH IT . FOR A SMALL CAR THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM IN FRONT AND REAR SEATING AREAS . ONLY MILD COMPLAINT IS THE CUP HOLDERS IN THE TWO FRONT DOORS , NOT VERY WELL POSITIONED . GREAT SMALL CAR AND LOTS OF SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE MONEY .

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Awsome Gas Saver and Reliable + A+ Comfort

I own a 08 Black Versa Hatch SL: and honestly I have had almost 0 problems with it, besides a loose piece of plastic "warped" is what the dealer called it, it was a minor problem fixed with no problems. I love driving it, you get in and the seats are so comfortable, I have yet once to feel as though I'm uncomfortable and need to get out. Can't begin to explain the roominess of the car, almost inpossible I would say to feel cramped at all. Plently of room front back and the trunck holds basically anything. It doesn't have the best get up and go but still has enough power and the handling is pretty decent. I live in MN where it snows for 5 months out of the year and not once did I ever feel worried that I was going to fly off the road or spin out. Handles great all weather, and the drive always seems to be smooth. THE MPG IS GREAT $4.00 PER GALLON THIS CAR IS A MUST HAVE. SO MANY FEATURES FOR THE MONEY ITS MIND BOGGLING GO TEST DRIVE ONE AND YOU WILL WANT IT RIGHT THEN!!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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The Egg

Pros- -Car looks Funny (that may be a con for some people) -Very roomy (Car seats four adults OR two adults and three kids) -Gas Mileage is about 29 mpg hwy -Tons of airbags! CONS:( -TONS of Braking problems. (I've been at the shop 3 times in less than 5 months) -NO ABS -ZERO attention from the ladies -Plastic pieces in dashboard are breaking off one piece at a time (3 so far) -Overall poor quality and Craftsmanship

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does not recommend this car
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Most Dissapointing Purchase EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONS Purchased a brand new Nissan Versa because of the alleged gas mileage and the hatchback 4 door design. First week I needed to have the front end aligned, front rotors re-cut and the 12v receptacle fixed. Glad they prepped the car before it was delivered to me. True gas mileage is about 29mpg. The car feels like a feather on the highway and the interior new car smell gave me migranes. BTW if you want the doors to close be ready to slam those shut before you begin your ride. If your 12v receptacle happens to be working go into your attic and see if you can find an AM/FM radio from your grandma plug it in because it will sound better than the radio in the Versa. I could build better seats out of plywood, the material used on the seats should last you a good couple of months. Traded the Versa in, at about a $2000 dollar loss for a Yaris S hatchback with 1000 miles on the car. Best $2000 bucks I ever spent !! PROS The vehicle is unbelievably quiet on the road for its size. Lots of features for the price. ABS, Keyless entry, ABS etc. Maybe and only maybe a car that someone might enjoy to run errands on local streets around town if they don't pass out from the fumes.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 1.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does not recommend this car
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TONS OF INTERIOR ROOM

I have four kids that all will obtain their driver's licenses within the next few years. My wife and I searched for a month for a vehicle that was small, economical and safe. We also needed to find a car that had lots of head and leg room....our 16 year old son is already over 6 ft. We checked out numerous subcompact cars (Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Aveo, and the Kio Rio). The Nissan Versa by far had the most leg and head room in it's class. Surprisingly, the back seats had a ton of leg and head room too. Believe me, we "test fitted" ourselves into all the vehicles! The interior is simple and the dashboard has a more upscale appearance. We also are very pleased with the 6 airbags that come standard in the basic package. This alone helps us ease our worrys knowing our teenage children are a little bit safer. Although the gas mileage falls a little short of some of the other vehicles, the Versa is actually a bit larger. We purchased the base model Versa with the automatic transmission. The engine is peppy and accelerates well enough to get up to speed on the interstates. Overall, we are very pleased with our puchase and would recommend the Versa to anyone (especially taller drivers) who are in the market for a cheap, reliable mode of transportation.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
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Meets all my needs

I purchased the Versa after doing extensive online research on different vehicles. This seemed to be the best car for my needs that stayed within my price range. Favorite features: rear seat legroom, cargo room, exterior styling. Least favorite: seats could use more lower back support, microfiber fabric in black shows a lot of lint, etc., could use more get-up-and-go. Overall, I really enjoy the car. I have room for passengers and cargo, though most often drive alone. I get about 28 mpg city/31-32 mpg highway. I have noticed a rattling of the dashboard when at higher speeds and there is a loud noise when first turning on the air conditioner.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does recommend this car
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Disappointing

I was initially interested in a economic foreign car and I thought the Versa would meet those needs. I was had a Ford Escape that I traded in because i was getting 13 mpg and it was just too expensive to drive. When the Versa was initially advertised, it was done so as getting 400+ miles per fill up. I can confiently say that I've never gotten that kind of mileage. Although the sticker said 30-35 mpg I averaged 27 with a mixture of city and highway. I purchased the most basic 6 speed and that was a mistake as well. Without the power options it was incredibily frustrating to have to unlock all the doors if need be, and rolling down the windows is just no fun. The worse part about not having power was if i needed to open the hatch in the back, i had to open up the front driver's side door first. There is no seperate lock, and the way to open the hatch was odd too. It's just a button, not a handle or anything. There was ample room throughout the car, but the interior's quality was pretty poor, something that I didn't expect with a Nissan. Pieces in the dash did not line up well, some pieces were even improperly cut. After about 13,000 and a year and a half of driving, the steering wheel was basically falling apart. Personally, I didn't get what I was hoping for. Now the piece of the vehicle has dropped dramatically from when I bought mine, so it might be economical. Do yourself the favor and get the power options if nothing else. The car itself doesn't look bad with some 17 or 18" rims, it actually has some youth to it's appearance. Definitly wouldn't recommend this car though. There are other comparable vehicles with better standard features and price.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 2.0
  • Performance 3.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 2.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does not recommend this car
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Good car -- great value

I purchased the Versa SL Hatchback only about three weeks ago. I am very happy with my choice. It has many upscale features, especially given the price. Are there some things I wish they had put in (like an outdoor temperature guage)? Sure. But, I am guessing Nissan did their research and figured out what people wanted most, and they are all in there, including a bunch of little things you don't always find in cars in this price range, like "one-touch up" window for the driver, multiple setting intermittent windshield wipers, leather wrapped steering wheel. The "intelligent key", which I have really come to love. Plus, all the air bags you need and decently roomy back seats for a car this size. All-in-all, it makes a comfortable, safe package that doesn't break the bank. I came off a 2001 Toyota Prius, one of the first, which was a nice car, but this gives you decent fuel economy, and almost as many features at much less $$ to purchase than a new Prius.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Off-roading
  • Does recommend this car
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