2021 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa had evolved from its predecessor's quirky "big car" styling, adopting a more refined and handsome appearance reminiscent of its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The new design featured appropriately sized headlights and grille, giving it a more mature and appealing look. Inside, the cabin shared similarities with the Nissan Kicks, offering ample interior space for a subcompact sedan. The straightforward yet stylish interior included a two-tone theme with dark charcoal and grayish cream colors, adding a touch of flair to the economy-car segment.

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased Nissan's strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, depending on the trim level. The Altima's sleek, aerodynamic profile featured a sloping "coupe-like" roofline and taut body lines, giving it a modern yet slightly old-fashioned appearance. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered and intelligently laid out, with an 8-inch touchscreen display and improved interior materials as you moved up the trim levels.

The 2020 Nissan Versa was powered by a revised 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous generation. 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. The Versa's steering was responsive, and the car handled well, making it fun to drive despite its modest power. Fuel economy with the CVT was impressive, with observed figures of 34.7 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered two distinct powertrains. Most trims featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. The fuel economy for the FWD model was 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined, while the AWD model achieved 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The standout powertrain was the VC-Turbo engine, available only on the SR VC-Turbo trim. This 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produced 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering a much livelier performance. The VC-Turbo model achieved 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.

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, the new Versa lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less spacious for adult passengers. The front seats offered plenty of legroom, even for taller drivers, making it a suitable personal commuter car.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, which provided exceptional comfort on long drives. Upper trim levels offered power adjustment, position memory, leather appointments, and heated seats. The front cabin had ample storage, including a large glovebox, center console storage bin, cupholders, and door pockets. The second row was roomy enough for two adults or three for short rides, with a 60/40 split-folding design for added trunk access. The trunk itself offered 15.4 cubic feet of 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 upgraded NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an advanced instrument panel with a digital screen for various functions. The Versa's tech features were user-friendly and seamlessly integrated into daily life.

The 2021 Nissan Altima included a comprehensive suite of tech features as standard, such as Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, and more. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Higher trims also included a Bose audio system, Active Noise Cancellation, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation. The Altima's tech offerings were extensive and catered to modern connectivity needs.

The 2020 Nissan Versa added several standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other safety features included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of active and passive safety features standard on SV and above trims. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist was available for highway driving assistance, and the Altima received top safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS.