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2020 Nissan Versa Review

The Nissan Versa has held the title of the "least expensive car in America" for over a decade. But in its all-new third generation, the Versa has relinquished its title and maybe a better car for it. The 2020 Nissan Versa starts about $2,000 quite the model it replaces. But this increase gets you a modern-looking, better-driving Versa with more standard features than the outgoing model.

The redesigned Versa sits 2.3 inches lower, is 1.8 inches wider, and features a 1.6-inch-longer profile than the previous generation. Its styling bears a robust resemblance to its larger sibling, the Nissan Altima, which may be a big intensify for the subcompact. And while the worth has increased, you're getting more features than before. Formerly top-trim-exclusive features like power windows, power locks, and keyless entry with push-button start are now standard on the bottom S trim level.

The new non-turbocharged 1.6-liter engine makes 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque, a rise of 13 hp and 5 lb-ft over the old model. It's paired with a replacement continuously variable automatic drive also. Unfortunately, the Versa remains pretty slow, but a minimum of there is no fuel economy penalty for the additional power. you'll expect to urge about 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving with the Versa's automatic drive, which is sort of good for a little sedan.

Overall, these changes add up to a significantly better car than the one it replaces. The Versa is worth considering if you would like a subcompact with modern features but don't need to interrupt the bank. Notably, the 2020 Nissan Versa may be a featured vehicle in our Cheapest New Cars article.

Our verdict

The Nissan Versa may be a well-built small sedan, with many spaces inside and enough standard technology and safety features to simply justify its price. High fuel economy is another bonus. Versa's slow acceleration may be a bummer, but overall the Versa may be a smart pick for a reasonable small sedan.

How does it drive?

The Versa's four-cylinder engine takes its time getting you up to hurry. There's little issue in typical driving around town or fitting in with traffic. But in cases where you would like to tug away quickly or have a short space to form a pass, the Versa leaves you wanting badly.

You'll be more satisfied with the Versa's handling abilities. It stays composed when going around turns. The steering can feel a touch too heavy sometimes, but it's accurate and allows you to point the Versa where you would like to travel with ease.

How comfortable is it?

Nissan versa s sedan includes its Zero Gravity seats within the 2020 Versa. The versions within the SV trim have the comfortable cloth that's generally firm, but the seats run a touch narrow under the shoulders. they provide great support on short- and medium-length drives, though the shortage of sufficient lumbar support may require breaks over longer trips.

The car features a comfortable ride if the paved surface is decent but gets bouncy over lesser-quality roads. Wind noise is prevalent inside the cabin, and if the car hits any bumps, you'll hear it the maximum amount as you are feeling it. Another aspect holding the Versa back during this category is its climate system. The controls don't allow enough fine adjustment to seek out precisely the right cabin comfort you are looking for.

How’s the interior?

The Versa scores are high for its interior design. it is easy to urge inside and adjust the seat to your preferred driving position. The cabin is comparatively roomy too. Even at the very best driving position, which feels almost SUV-like, there's much headroom with space to stretch your legs in both the front and back seats.

The touchscreen is responsive and provides a transparent picture. The controls on the middle stack and wheel are straightforward, and you'll use the tuning button to scroll through screens, which is simpler than poking the touchscreen while driving. It's pretty easy to ascertain out of the Versa because of the short hood and enormous windows.

How’s the tech?

The Versa comes with a basic four-speaker sound system and it seems like it. you will need to show up the quantity all the high to make noise exterior noise. Onboard navigation isn't an option, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility is standard, so you'll get directions through your phone. Pleasingly, they work quickly to display your phone's apps on the screen.

The Versa's advanced driver safety aids are helpful without being intrusive. Forward collision warning activates with an easy string of beeps. Lane-keeping warnings also are gentle buzzes. the most important weak points are a low-resolution rearview camera and an overly sensitive backup collision mitigation system. During our testing, this technique mistakenly triggered when one among our drivers was backing into a street from a mildly inclined driveway. It slammed the car to a stop.

How’s the storage?

The new Versa features a lot of trunk space for this class of the car. Cargo capacity is 14.7 cubic feet, quite most competitors, and therefore the trunk space has enough depth to accommodate larger items. The load floor is comparatively low for a sedan, and therefore the rear seats fold down, but not flat if needed.

Small-item storage isn't a robust suit. the middle armrest is optional and may barely fit a smartphone. Child seat accommodation is best. there's good space for a rear-facing seat within the back. The lower car-seat anchor points are hidden between cushions, but they're easy to locate and fasten to. The rear seats have integrated headrests, which suggests you've got to wrap the strap around them to connect to the rear tether hooks.

How economical is it?

Equipped with the CVT automatic, the Versa has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 35 mpg combined (32 city/40 highway). That's right up at the highest of the category. Our test Versa soared above that with a 41.1 mpg average on our 115-mile test route that mixes street, mountain roads, and freeway driving.

Is it an honest value?

The Versa offers basic affordability without feeling like you're punishing yourself. It feels tightly built, with higher-quality materials than typical for the category, and provides more pizzazz than your usual Econo-sedan. there are interesting tech and enough safety equipment to simply justify the value of entry, with room to feature options and still stay under $20,000.

Nissan offers a reasonably middle-of-the-road warranty with basic coverage for 3 years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage for five years/60,000 miles. Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi all go up to 10 years/100,000 miles. Roadside assistance is obtainable for 3 years/36,000 miles. Most rivals offer better coverage, and a few provide free maintenance for up to 3 years.

Wildcard

The Versa has no delusions of grandeur. There are not any superfluous paddle shifters, fake vents, or Sport modes. It's an economy car that gives space and safety technology at a beautiful value. That said, the steering and handling are decent for the worth, and even a couple of folks will admit we just like the style and feel of the flat-bottom wheel. this is often a slow car. there is no getting around it. But the Versa makes an honest effort to avoid being soulless.

Which Versa does Edmunds recommend?

The mid SV trim strikes the balance between an honest value and modern amenities. Compared to the bottom S, you get the complete suite of Nissan's available safety features, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a few little extras like a driver's armrest and heated outside mirrors.

Nissan Versa models

2020 nissan versa horsepower

The 2020 Nissan Versa is obtainable in three trim levels: S, SV, and SR. All trim levels accompany a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque) and front-wheel drive. generally, the SV and therefore the SR add more cosmetic, convenience, and safety features. There's just one package available on the SR trim, which makes it simple to seek out a Versa with the features you would like.

The base S trim isn't as bare-bones because it wont to be. It now offers a solid list of ordinary equipment, including power windows and door locks, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth. you furthermore may get frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic emergency braking, automatic headlights, and a rearview camera. the bottom transmission may be a five-speed manual, and a continuously variable automatic drive (CVT, called Xtronic) is optional.

 Nissan Versa 2020 Price

Nissan Versa 2020 S                                                                          MSRP $14,730

Nissan Versa 2020 SV                                                                       MSRP $17,640

Nissan Versa 2020 SR                                                                        MSRP $18,240

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Versa safety features:

Automatic Emergency Braking

Detects vehicles and pedestrians ahead and automatically applies the brakes if a collision is imminent and therefore the driver doesn't react in time.

Rear Door Alert

Uses the horn, door sensors and driver display to remind the driving force to see the rear seat for youngsters after the vehicle is parked.

Lane Departure Warning

Monitors lane markings and alerts the driving force if the Versa starts to drift out of its lane without a blinker getting used.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

• Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
  Overall5 / 5
  Driver5 / 5
  Passenger4 / 5
• Side Crash Rating
  Overall5 / 5
• Side Barrier Rating
  Overall5 / 5
  Driver5 / 5
  Passenger5 / 5
• Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
  Front Seat5 / 5
  Back Seat5 / 5
• Rollover
  Rollover4 / 5
  Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
  Risk Of Rollover11.8%

Nissan Versa vs. the competition

Nissan Versa vs. Nissan Sentra

Like the Versa, the Nissan Sentra compact sedan is fully redesigned for 2020. Highlights include a sleeker appearance, a more refined powertrain, and surprisingly high-quality cabin materials. the sole limiting factor, if you're within the marketplace for a cost-efficient small sedan, is its higher tag. However, the Sentra is a smaller amount expensive than many of its rivals and offers good value for the cash.

Compare Nissan Versa & Nissan Sentra features⇒

Nissan Versa vs. Hyundai Accent

The Hyundai Accent features a quiet cabin with the good build quality and a spacious interior, and it offers an extended warranty than Nissan. If you're curious about features like automatic emergency braking or push-button start, they're available on the Versa for significantly less money. The Versa also offers features like remote start, rear automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert, which aren't available on the Accent.

Compare Nissan Versa & Hyundai Accent features⇒

Nissan Versa vs. Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Where the Versa wont to be the "least expensive car in America," that title now belongs to the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan. Price and rear-seat legroom are the sole advantages the Mirage has on the Versa. The Versa features a more powerful engine and a bigger cargo deck, and it's more enjoyable to drive overall.

Compare Nissan Versa & Mitsubishi Mirage G4 features⇒

More about the 2020 Nissan Versa

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you'll buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them intimately to their competitors.

We're also regular people such as you, so we concentrate on all or any of the various ways people use their cars a day. we would like to understand if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits within the cupholder. Our editors want to assist you to create the simplest decision on a car that matches your life.

What is the MPG of a 2020 Nissan Versa?

2020 Nissan Versa S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded

35 combined MPG,

32 city MPG/40 Highway MPG

2020 Nissan Versa SV 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded

35 combined MPG,

32 city MPG/40 Highway MPG

2020 Nissan Versa SR 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), continuously variable-speed automatic, regular unleaded

35 combined MPG,

32 city MPG/40 Highway MPG

Should I lease or buy a 2020 Nissan Versa?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most of the people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is that the thanks to going. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to form higher monthly payments, pay off the loan fully and keep the car for a couple of years. Leasing, on the opposite hand, is often a less costly option on a month-to-month basis. it is also good if you're someone who likes to drive a replacement car every three years approximately.