2020 Toyota Camry vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa marked a significant departure from its predecessor's "big car" styling, which featured oversized headlights and a somewhat awkward design. The new model adopted a more refined and handsome look, drawing inspiration from its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. This change resulted in a more cohesive and attractive exterior without borrowing the same-size headlights or grille. Inside, the Versa's cabin was straightforward yet stylish, featuring a two-tone theme with dark charcoal and grayish cream colors. The seats had a neat design, and the overall interior space was generous for a subcompact sedan, thanks to the Nissan V platform.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Camry aimed to reclaim its reputation for quality and reliability with a renewed attention to detail. The styling was more expressive than any previous Camry, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that gave it a sporty appearance. The interior featured uniformly nice materials and a driver-focused dashboard design, making even the lower trims feel upscale. The TRD model added red trim accents and bright red seatbelts, enhancing its sporty appeal. While the Camry wasn't a luxury car, the top trims offered leather and wood finishes that rivaled entry-level Lexus models.

The 2020 Nissan Versa was powered by a revised 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous generation's 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, standard on the SV and SR trims, managed power well and offered a Sport mode for livelier performance. Fuel economy was decent, with the manual transmission returning 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT achieved 32/40/35 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four distinct powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid powertrain. The 3.5-liter V6 produced 301 horsepower and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and powerful performance. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder made 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim) and was also paired with an eight-speed automatic. The AWD system could send up to half of the engine's 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel economy for the FWD four-cylinder was 31 mpg combined, dropping to 28 mpg with AWD. The V6 models managed 26 mpg combined, except for the TRD, which was rated at 25 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its predecessor's 15-cubic-foot trunk, one of the largest in its class, with a large opening for easy loading. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less spacious for adult passengers. The front seats offered ample legroom, even for taller drivers, making it a comfortable personal commuter car.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was easy to drive and featured a well-organized interior with most controls within easy reach. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room compared to the previous generation. However, the rear seat legroom and overall passenger volume had decreased slightly, making it less spacious than some competitors. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, similar to the Honda Civic, but smaller than some rivals. The addition of AWD did not compromise the trunk or passenger space.

The 2020 Nissan Versa came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV trim added the NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen. This screen provided various functions, including safety alerts, Bluetooth streaming audio, and fuel-economy stats, making it a highly functional and user-friendly system.

The 2020 Toyota Camry added Android Auto to its standard features, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The standard infotainment system, while functional, felt dated with low-resolution graphics. The Camry offered an optional 8-inch screen and a three-month trial of WiFi Connect. Higher trims featured a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display, enhancing the driver's experience.

The 2020 Nissan Versa included a range of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also had a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert system.

The 2020 Toyota Camry came with Toyota's Safety Sense suite, including a pre-collision system with emergency braking, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and automatic high beams. It also offered a one-year trial of Safety Connect and optional blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Camry received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.