2018 Nissan Versa vs 2018 Nissan Versa Note
Choosing a compact car isn’t as simple as it used to be, as more and more automakers are offering a hatchback option in addition to the traditional sedan. For those seeking an efficient and affordable option within the Nissan lineup, it only makes sense to compare the 2018 Nissan Versa vs 2018 Nissan Versa Note. After all, the two models do share a lot of similarities, but the Versa comes in at a much lower starting cost. Is the hatchback worth the extra money?
In one key way, the Nissan Versa and Versa Note are the same: the 1.6-liter engine. This 4-cylinder engine offers 109 horsepower and 107 pound feet of torque. The Nissan Versa starts with a 5-speed manual transmission, but has the Xtronic CVT as an available upgrade. The Nissan Versa Note, on the other hand, comes standard with the Xtronic CVT. This difference is just one reason that the Versa Note is a touch more expensive.
2018 Nissan Versa |
vs |
2018 Nissan Versa Note |
|---|---|---|
| $11,990 | MSRP | $14,480 |
| 27 city/36 highway | Base Fuel Economy | 31 city/39 highway |
| 90.2 cu. ft. | Passenger Space | 94.1 cu. ft. |
| 14.9 cu. ft. | Cargo Volume | 18.8 cu. ft./38.3 cu. ft. max. |
Hatchback or sedan?
We often think of the differences between these two models as one that is as simple as a hatchback versus sedan, but they aren’t quite the same. The designs of the models are fairly distinct, even aside from the rear end, with the Versa Note flaunting a sloping roofline and contrasting B-pillar.
Then there’s interior space. Thanks to a higher roofline and the hatchback rear, the 2018 Nissan Versa Note has both more passenger space and cargo room. Though it’s still classified as a compact model, it lends itself to a much roomier feel than the sedan. What about fuel economy? It might seem, at first, that the Versa Note is more efficient, but this isn’t actually the case. Rather, the CVT that comes standard is more efficient. The Versa Sedan isn’t available with the CVT in the base model, and the 5-speed manual transmission lags behind the CVT’s efficiency. The Versa S Plus trim, the mid-level for the Versa, comes with the CVT, but its pricing is more closely aligned with that of the Versa Note.
When it comes to standard features, these two models once again show similarities, as both offer an AM/FM/CD four-speaker sound system, speed-sensitive volume control, Bluetooth hands-free phone operation and manual air condition. Still torn on which Nissan compact vehicle is right for you? Stop by Glendale Nissan for a test drive.
