2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa had shed its previous "big car" styling details, adopting a more handsome design inspired by its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The new Versa featured a more refined look without borrowing oversized elements from larger models. 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 with varying levels of features and upgrades. Despite some harsh plastics and manual seat adjustments, the Versa's interior was a significant improvement over its predecessor.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned half a decade ago, received minor styling tweaks for 2020, including new grille and headlight designs. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint and glossy black detailing, garnered admiration for its sporty appearance. Inside, the Sport Touring trim featured stitched leather, soft surfaces, and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The six-speed manual gearbox added to the driving experience, and the Civic Hatchback offered a range of trims with varying features and prices, making it accessible to a wide audience.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine but with improved output, now producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, standard on 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, though it leaned at higher speeds. Fuel economy was decent, with the CVT achieving 32/40/35 mpg.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque varied depending on the transmission, with the CVT offering 162 pound-feet and the 6-speed manual providing 177 pound-feet. The Civic Hatchback's engine was quiet and refined, and the car offered a softer, more compliant ride compared to the Civic Si. Fuel economy was impressive, with the Sport Touring trim achieving 32.7 mpg in combined driving.

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

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Honda HR-V Touring. While it couldn't match the HR-V's maximum volume, the Civic Hatchback provided better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The driver's seat was comfortable with ample thigh support, though the passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear seats offered good legroom, but the absence of air-conditioning vents and dark tinted glass made it less comfortable for passengers.

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. The SV trim added the NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen. These features made the Versa's technology offerings practical and user-friendly.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a stylish dashboard with digital instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the LX trim. The Sport Touring trim included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, a navigation system, a quick-charging USB port, and a 12-speaker premium sound system. While the Civic's technology wasn't groundbreaking, it offered useful features like automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock.

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.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Civic lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, relying instead on the LaneWatch system. The Civic received top marks for crash-test performance but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance.