2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa had evolved from its previous "big car" styling, adopting a more refined and handsome look reminiscent of its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The new design featured appropriately sized headlights and grille, giving it a more mature appearance. Inside, the cabin was straightforward yet stylish, with a two-tone theme and unique seat designs. The Versa offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each adding more features and better materials as you moved up the range. However, some cost-cutting measures were evident, such as the use of harsh plastics and manual seat adjustments.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, had a more conservative design compared to its predecessors. It featured sleek headlights and taillights, a nicely tapered front end, and subtle scalloping on the body sides. The Impreza Sport models added specific styling touches like 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Impreza's design was functional but unexciting, with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen. Higher trims like the Sport and Limited added features such as contrast stitching, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and aluminum pedals.

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 CVT-equipped Versa achieving 32 mpg city, 40 highway, and 35 combined.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, delivering 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models came with a CVT, while a 5-speed manual was available on the base sedan and hatchback, as well as the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport trim also included model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for improved handling. While the Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The engine's power was adequate but not thrilling, making it a competent but not exhilarating daily driver.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its predecessor's 15-cubic-foot trunk, one of the largest in its class. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less accommodating for adults. The front seats offered ample legroom, even for taller drivers. The Versa was a practical choice for personal commuting but less ideal for carpooling or ridesharing due to the reduced rear space.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the smallest among compact sedans, but it did offer a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility. The hatchback version provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made it more spacious than competitors like the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla hatchbacks. Higher trims included features like heated front seats, a heated windshield, and a power moonroof, enhancing comfort and convenience.

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 offered various menus and displays, providing a user-friendly and tech-savvy experience.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trims featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen, with an optional TomTom-based navigation system and Harman Kardon audio on the Limited trim. The Impreza also had a secondary display for additional information, though it seemed somewhat redundant. Overall, the infotainment system was easy to use, with large icons and straightforward menus.

The 2020 Nissan Versa included 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 2021 Subaru Impreza earned an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features on CVT-equipped models included Subaru's EyeSight suite, which offered automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking.