2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged as a beacon of opportunity amidst the declining popularity of hatchbacks in North America. As other automakers retreated from this segment, Honda seized the moment with a redesigned model, aiming to capture a significant share of the remaining market. Built in Indiana, the Civic Hatchback was one of the few compact cars still produced in North America, sharing its platform with the revived Acura Integra. The Civic Hatchback's design, while reminiscent of the Civic sedan from the front, distinguished itself with unique grille patterns and wheel designs. Despite its visual appeal, the car's profile revealed a persistent "stubby butt syndrome," a common trait among small hatchbacks. Inside, the Civic Hatchback mirrored the sedan's interior, with the Sport Touring trim offering advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing its modern appeal. However, the CVT shifter operation slightly detracted from the overall sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Versa borrowed design elements from its larger siblings, the Sentra and Altima, giving it a more upscale appearance. The Versa's sleek profile and wide stance, complemented by a prominent V-Motion grille, made it instantly recognizable as a modern Nissan. The 2023 model introduced styling updates, including a more elaborate grille and new wheel designs for the SR trim. Inside, the Versa showcased creativity with its dashboard design, featuring large round air vents and a central touchscreen. While the interior was predominantly plastic, the fit and finish were commendable, even in pre-production models. The SR trim added red stitching and upholstery inserts, reminiscent of the early 2000s Sentra SE-R, though without performance upgrades. The Versa's interior offered a comfortable ride, with a suspension that cushioned impacts and a cabin quieter than expected for an entry-level model.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter, available in Sport and Sport Touring trims, delivered peak torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, making it accessible for most driving conditions. The Civic Hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The CVT paired well with the turbocharged engine, offering a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic Hatchback's suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, though it wasn't designed for aggressive driving on winding roads. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, with its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower, prioritized economy over performance. The CVT was standard, as the five-speed manual transmission was discontinued. The Versa's handling was satisfactory, with notable body roll in corners but impressive grip. The steering was responsive, enhancing the car's nimbleness. The Versa's ride comfort was commendable for an entry-level model, with a suspension that absorbed bumps and potholes effectively. Despite its modest power, the Versa felt more substantial than typical subcompact stereotypes, offering a refined driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor wasn't flat. Seating was comfortable, with the Sport Touring trim offering an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front and rear seats. However, the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger and rear air conditioning vents were noted drawbacks. The interior featured a mix of fabric and leather upholstery, with automatic climate control standard across trims.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a sedan, offered 416 litres of trunk space in the base S trim and 425 litres in SV and SR trims. The SV and SR trims also included a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The front row provided ample headroom and legroom, though rear-seat space was less generous. The interior felt spacious, with good outward visibility. However, storage space was limited, with a small centre console bin. The shifter's raised platform looked stylish but wasn't the most efficient use of space.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in LX and Sport trims and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Physical knobs for sound system controls addressed previous criticisms, and the voice recognition system performed well. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2023 Nissan Versa's base S trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free. The SV trim added Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad, while the SR trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system. Despite the tech features, the Versa's touchscreens were small, and the graphics appeared outdated. The digital instrument cluster display added a touch of sophistication, providing essential information alongside an analog speedometer.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. The Sport Touring trim added a blind-spot warning system and Low-Speed Braking Control. The Civic Hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and engineering.

The 2023 Nissan Versa impressed with its standard driver-assist tech, including automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, and lane-departure warning. The SV trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Versa a five-star overall safety rating, though the IIHS hadn't published updated ratings for the 2023 model.