2020 Nissan Versa vs 2021 Chevrolet Malibu

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.