2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa had evolved significantly from its predecessor, shedding the awkward "big car" styling details for a more refined and handsome look. Drawing inspiration from its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima, the Versa's design was evocative without borrowing oversized elements. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Nissan Kicks, offering ample interior space for a subcompact sedan. The straightforward yet stylish interior featured a two-tone theme and unique seat designs, adding a touch of flair to the economy-car segment. The Versa came in three trims: S, SV, and SR, each offering incremental upgrades in features and aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design across its three body styles: sedan, coupe, and hatchback. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with wide, arcing headlights and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2019 model year updates, including new grilles, bumpers, and wheels, carried over to 2020, enhancing the Civic's already appealing look. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and pleasing design elements. The Civic Si and Type R models added sporty touches like matte-black wheels and LED fog lights, making them stand out even more.

The 2020 Nissan Versa featured a revised 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, boosting its output to 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT, provided noticeable improvements in acceleration. The CVT, standard on the SV and SR trims, managed power well and offered a Sport mode for livelier performance. Despite the engine's noise under hard acceleration, the Versa's driving experience was engaging, with responsive steering and decent fuel economy. The manual transmission returned 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT achieved 32/40/35.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4, producing 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with the Sport and Sport Touring hatchbacks making 180 horsepower. The Civic Si and Type R models took performance to another level, with the Si's 1.5-liter engine boosted to 205 horsepower and the Type R's engine delivering 306 horsepower. The Civic's powertrains were smooth and responsive, with the Si and Type R offering thrilling driving experiences. Fuel economy varied, with the Si rated at 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined, while most CVT-equipped models achieved at least 30 mpg city and up to 42 mpg highway.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its predecessor's 15-cubic-foot trunk, one of the largest in its class, with a large opening for easy loading. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less accommodating for adults. The front seats offered plenty of legroom, even for taller drivers, making the Versa a suitable personal commuter car.

The 2020 Honda Civic, on the other hand, offered a spacious interior with significant improvements in usability. The hatchback had more sound insulation and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat on EX models. The Civic's interior featured a conventional PRNDL shifter, a deep center console storage bin, and configurable cupholders. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though the lack of rear air vents was a notable oversight. The sedan's trunk provided 15 cubic feet of cargo space, while the coupe offered 12 cubic feet. The hatchback excelled with 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46 cubic feet with them folded down.

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, along with an upgraded instrument panel featuring a digital screen for various functions. This setup offered a seamless integration of technology, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Civic, however, lagged with an outdated infotainment system that was slow and complex. The 7-inch touchscreen, standard on all models except the base LX, included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and came with a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. Other features included push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. Honda Sensing, standard on all trims, provided advanced safety features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

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. These features, along with a reversing camera and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert, enhanced the Versa's safety profile. However, the increased cost of repairs for these systems could be a concern for budget-conscious buyers.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Improvements to the optional LED headlights helped the Civic earn the Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test for the coupe.