2019 Nissan Altima vs 2020 Nissan Versa

Shopping for a modern midsize sedan is tougher than you may think. Whether we're talking about the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda6, or Hyundai Sonata, it seems like each year we conclude it can’t possibly get any better. Deciding among sedans is tough because nearly every player in the segment brings its absolute A game every year.

The Nissan Altima is all-new for 2019 and delivers a ton of improvements. But considering the competition, are those improvements enough to launch it from a middling entrant to a serious contender?

The previous Altima had some things going for it, like spacious seating and a powerful V6 (if you were willing to pay extra for it). And by the final year of its fifth generation, some driver-assistance features arrived as standard, but it never stood out in any particular area.

For decades, buyers didn’t expect sedans to be anything more than reliable, economical daily commuters. But the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Check out the competition: The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, and Mazda6 are all near-premium cars, with the latest infotainment and safety technology, and they handle well, too. The new Altima has some of those things—let's see how it delivers on the rest.

When you're on a tight budget and need to replace a car, you often face a tough choice: Do you buy a new small car or something that’s pre-owned but has more space?

For many years, if you were in the market for a new car, few came as cheaply as the Nissan Versa. Not only was it marketed as the least-expensive car in the United States, but it also had a plucky, underdog appeal to it. However, the charm of the Versa started to wear off as its shortcomings became more apparent.

If you look at the “cheap” end of the market, you'll find some pretty unlovable cars, like the Mitsubishi Mirage and Chevrolet Spark. But there are also some bright spots. The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are both competent cars in their own ways, and the Honda Fit has always been a serious player. With the Fit, you never felt like you were seriously compromising to meet your budget.

It seems as though Nissan has caught on to the realization that racing to the bottom works for only so long. Buyers have certainly caught on to the notion that you can have a small car that’s actually kind of good (See: Fit). In response, Nissan has rolled out the all-new 2020 Versa. It’s no longer the cheapest car in America, and in fact, it costs a couple of thousand dollars more than last year's version. But does that mean it’s more car, too? Read on to find out.