2019 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra had undergone a significant redesign, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a new trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. The design was described as kaleidoscopic, with a focus on geometric patterns, which some found less appealing than the previous year's model. Inside, subtle changes improved the interior, adding design flair to the air vents, a carbon-texture finish to some plastic housings, new gauges, and revised dashboard controls. The interior quality was high, with robust and solid-feeling components, although some materials felt inexpensive, which was expected in a compact car.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Versa moved away from its previous "big car" styling details, adopting a more handsome design inspired by its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The cabin was similar to the Nissan Kicks, offering plenty of interior space for a subcompact sedan. The test model featured a two-tone theme with dark charcoal and grayish cream colors, and the seats had a neat design. Nissan was praised for livening up economy-car cabins with stylistic flair. The Versa was available in three trims: S, SV, and SR, each offering different levels of features and amenities.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. Acceleration was acceptable, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, and Smart. However, the Smart mode was not very perceptive, and Sport mode added unwelcome weight to the steering. The Elantra achieved an EPA rating of 32 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing showing 29.3 mpg on a modified loop and 32.4 mpg after a week of driving. Handling was decent, with no significant praise or criticism for the steering and brakes. The ride quality was busy due to the inexpensive torsion-beam rear-axle suspension.

The 2020 Nissan Versa featured a revised 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, now producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, 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 S trim came standard with the manual transmission, while the CVT was standard on the SV and SR trims. Acceleration was decent, with the CVT managing power well in both low- and high-speed settings. The Versa returned fuel economy of 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined with the manual transmission, and 32/40/35 with the CVT. Real-world testing showed 34.7 mpg with the CVT.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort for a compact car, with height-adjustable seats in all trims, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control in most trims. Backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no air conditioning vents or USB ports for rear passengers. Interior storage was decent, with a good-size center-console storage bin, a sizable glove box, and a tray forward of the shifter. The trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free Smart Trunk feature in most trims.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained the previous generation's trunk size, offering 15 cubic feet of space, one of the largest in the class. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less spacious for full-size adults. The front seats had plenty of legroom, even for taller drivers. The Versa was no longer available in a hatchback body style, but the possibility of its return in the future was not ruled out.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, except for the base SE trim, came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Limited trim featured an Infinity premium sound system, and the Ultimate Package added an 8-inch display, navigation, and SiriusXM Data Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a good balance of knobs and buttons. The Value Edition and Limited trims included a free 3-year trial subscription to Blue Link services, offering a range of safety and convenience functions.

The 2020 Nissan Versa stepped up its game with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. It also had three USB ports, with the SV trim featuring the upgraded NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV trim also had an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen, offering various functions and displays. This system was praised for its helpfulness and seamless integration of technology.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems as standard equipment starting with the SEL trim. These included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot-monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-monitoring system. The Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH child-seat anchors. The NHTSA gave it a 4-star overall rating.

The 2020 Nissan Versa added a host of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other standard safety features included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert. While these features were commendable, they also raised repair costs for minor accidents due to the sensors in the bumpers.