2020 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa represented a significant departure from its predecessor's quirky "big car" styling. The previous Versa had oversized headlights and a design that tried to mimic larger sedans, a common yet somewhat dated styling trait from the early 2000s. For 2020, Nissan adopted a more refined and handsome aesthetic for the Versa. The design now evokes similarities to its larger, more upscale siblings, the Nissan Maxima and Altima, without directly borrowing their large headlights or grille dimensions. This transformation allowed the Versa to appear more mature and cohesive.

Inside, the design borrowed heavily from the Nissan Kicks, mainly because both vehicles utilized the same V platform. While the platform didn't particularly stand out in the Kicks, it offered ample interior space for a subcompact sedan like the Versa. The cabin presented a straightforward yet engaging environment, enhanced by a two-tone color theme that blended dark charcoal with a grayish cream on the seats and dash. The seats featured a unique pattern, adding a touch of stylistic flair uncommon in economy cars.

The 2020 Versa was available in three trims: S, SV, and SR. The base S trim came with 15-inch steel wheels and plastic hubcaps, black plastic door handles, and cloth seating for five. Interior features included a 6-way manual driver’s seat, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The mid-range SV trim, which was the model we tested, upgraded the wheels to 16-inch alloys, added body-color door handles, and improved the infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. The top-tier SR trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, a unique dark-chrome grille, and additional amenities such as automatic climate control and an intelligent key with passive entry.

However, there were still elements where the cost-cutting measures were evident. The cabin had some harsh plastics, and the manual seat-height adjustments felt cheap despite being on higher trims. Overall, the 2020 Versa's interior represented a significant improvement over its predecessor, making it a competitive choice in its segment.

The 2020 Nissan Altima, available in several trims including S, SR, SV, SL, and Platinum, underwent a redesign that refined its styling. The Platinum variant, which included options like a turbocharged engine and extra-cost paint, showcased the model's premium appeal. The new design featured clean lines and impeccable styling, aside from a few criticisms such as differing visual planes for door handles and some black trim on the rear roof pillars.

The interior of the Altima was praised for its ergonomic simplicity and contemporary design. The high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system featured stereo knobs, and climate controls with temperature adjustment dials ensured ease of use. The materials used felt premium, and the cabin incorporated matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim to elevate the feel. The color palette, however, was limited to black or gray.

Equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, the Platinum trim exuded a sense of luxury that complemented its array of features.

The 2020 Versa retained its previous-generation 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine but saw improvements in power. It now delivered 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, a noticeable improvement over the prior model's 109 hp and 107 lb-ft. This increased output made a difference in daily driving, providing decent acceleration and the ability to keep up with traffic.

The Versa offered a choice between a 5-speed manual transmission on the base S trim, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) available across all trims. The manual-equipped Versa boasted fuel efficiency of 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT improved these figures to 32/40/35 mpg. During a week of mixed driving conditions, the test model with a CVT achieved a commendable 34.7 mpg.

The driving experience was surprisingly engaging for an economy car. The steering was responsive, and the car handled adequately in various driving conditions. The CVT performed well, especially with the added Sport mode, which made the transmission more dynamic. It was loud under hard acceleration, but this characteristic seemed to add a bit of character to the car.

Most 2020 Altimas came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generating up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT that drove the front wheels. All-wheel drive (AWD) was an option, making it a desirable choice for those in colder climates. However, our test variant featured the optional 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, debuting in the previous year’s Infiniti QX50, which delivered the power of a V6 with the efficiency of a 4-cylinder. Running on premium fuel, this engine produced 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque (236 hp and 267 lb-ft on regular gas).

Engineered with Nissan's advanced technology, the turbocharged variant was designed to adjust its compression ratio dynamically, achieving an EPA-rated 29 mpg combined. However, in real-world testing, it averaged 26.2 mpg. The Altima's suspension and handling impressed, featuring Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control to enhance ride quality and performance.

The Altima VC-Turbo was swift and agile, offering an enjoyable driving experience across varied road conditions. The CVT was designed to mimic the feel of a traditional automatic yet sometimes delivered unexpected power surges, which the driver would have to get accustomed to.

The Versa maintained its class-leading trunk capacity from the previous generation, providing 15 cubic feet of space—plenty for a subcompact sedan. It also featured a wide opening, facilitating easy loading and unloading. However, the redesign resulted in significant loss of backseat legroom, down by six inches, which was noticeable during carpooling or ridesharing situations. The front seats, on the other hand, offered ample legroom, comfortably accommodating taller drivers.

The Altima's interior boasted NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats for both the front and rear, delivering unparalleled comfort. Despite the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat or ventilated front seats, the Altima offered several conveniences like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. It excelled in providing in-cabin storage, albeit without a wireless smartphone charging pad.

Trunk capacity in the Altima measured 15.4 cubic feet, which was fairly average for a midsize sedan. The test vehicle was equipped with groceries bag hooks and an interior grab handle, further enhancing its practicality.

The Versa substantially upgraded its infotainment offerings for 2020. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and text-messaging assistance. It included three USB ports—one at the front and two in the center console.

The SV trim, which CarGurus recommended, came with the NissanConnect system, inclusive of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel in the SV trim was mostly a digital screen, offering various functions such as safety alerts, streaming audio, and fuel economy stats. This provided a sophisticated yet user-friendly interface, making technology an integral part of the driving experience.

The Altima was equipped with an almost perfect infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch display, volume and tuning knobs, and shortcuts for main screen menus. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a text-messaging assistant. Higher trims offered satellite radio, a Bose premium audio system, and NissanConnect Services with various subscription plans.

NissanConnect Services provided additional features, such as automatic collision notification and remote door lock access, with continued service beyond the initial six months of ownership. However, areas for improvement existed, particularly concerning its voice recognition technology which required specific commands for optimal use.

The 2020 Versa came equipped with a range of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other standard safety features comprised a reversing camera, front and side airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.

The Altima included the comprehensive Nissan Safety Shield 360 system, although the base trim only offered forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking as standard. Higher trims added features like pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Altima also included ProPilot Assist, offering semi-autonomous driving aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, though its effectiveness varied.

In terms of safety ratings, the Altima received a perfect overall rating of 5 stars from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation with its LED headlights.