2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa marked a significant departure from its predecessor's quirky “big car” styling that featured oversized headlights. The new model adopted a more sophisticated and handsome appearance, closely mirroring its larger siblings like the Maxima and Altima. This change was appreciated as it maintained the visual appeal without borrowing excessively large components such as headlights and grilles. Inside, the Versa's cabin strongly resembled that of the Nissan Kicks, thanks to their shared V platform. This platform offered ample interior space for a subcompact sedan, although it fell short in versatility. The test model featured a two-tone theme with dark charcoal and grayish cream colors on the seats and dashboard, adding a stylish flair to the straightforward design.

The Versa came in three trims: S, SV, and SR. The base S trim included 15-inch steel wheels, black plastic door handles, power-adjustable side-view mirrors, and cloth seating for five. It also featured a 6-way manual driver's seat, a 4-way manual passenger seat, power windows, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The mid-range SV trim upgraded the wheels to 16-inch alloys and added heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and body-color door handles. Inside, the SV featured upgraded cloth fabric, a driver’s seat armrest, and an enhanced infotainment system with satellite radio and smartphone connectivity. The top-tier SR trim boasted 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a unique dark-chrome grille, and heated side-view mirrors. It also included unique upholstery, automatic climate control, and a keyless entry system.

Despite some notable features, the Versa's interior had its limitations, such as harsh plastics and a lack of power-adjustable seats. However, it was a significant improvement over its predecessor.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Sentra entered its eighth generation with an athletic exterior characterized by sharp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. The Sentra's design exuded a sense of agility and fun with its bulging hood and muscular wheel arches, housing 16-inch steel wheels (S), 16- or 17-inch alloys (SV), or 18-inch alloys (SR). The SR trim also offered the option of three two-tone paint schemes, adding to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Sentra's layered dashboard provided a sense of expansiveness, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen was standard on the SR trim and available on lower trims. The center console and doors featured textured plastic, and the flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel added a sporty touch. The second row offered decent space, though it was more suited for two passengers due to the hard center cushion. The Sentra's trunk had a capacity of 14.3 cubic feet, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for additional cargo space.

Both vehicles showcased notable exterior and interior improvements, with the Sentra standing out for its athletic design and expansive cabin.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, though it received a power boost from its predecessor. The engine generated 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, a noticeable improvement from the previous 109 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The Versa came with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard on the S trim) or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), standard on the SV and SR trims. The CVT provided decent acceleration and offered a Sport mode for a livelier driving experience. Fuel economy for the manual transmission was rated at 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT achieved 32/40/35.

In contrast, the 2021 Sentra featured a new 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an Xtronic CVT, ensuring adequate performance for commuting and city driving. The Sentra's fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined for the S and SV models, while the SR model achieved 28/37/32. The Sentra also featured front and rear disc brakes (SV and SR trims) and a four-wheel independent suspension, contributing to its commendable road manners and cornering abilities.

Both vehicles delivered improved performance compared to their predecessors, with the Sentra offering slightly more power and a refined CVT.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained a large trunk with a capacity of 15 cubic feet, making it one of the larger trunks in its class. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom compared to the previous generation, which impacted rear passenger comfort. Despite the reduced rear legroom, the front seats offered ample space, even for taller drivers.

The 2021 Sentra featured a well-designed interior with ergonomically placed controls and ample storage options. The trunk had a capacity of 14.3 cubic feet, slightly smaller than the Versa but still practical. The Sentra's second row was roomy for a compact sedan, though more suitable for two passengers due to the hard center cushion.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Versa had a slight edge with its larger trunk, while the Sentra offered a more comfortable and feature-rich interior.

The 2020 Nissan Versa impressed with its technological offerings. Even the base trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The mid-level SV trim came with the upgraded NissanConnect system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It also included an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen displaying a range of functions, including safety alerts and fuel economy stats.

The 2021 Sentra also delivered on technology. The base S trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SV and SR trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard across all trims, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free capabilities. An optional premium Bose system with eight speakers was available on the SR trim. NissanConnect services offered additional features such as a WiFi hotspot, remote start/stop, and vehicle tracking, but were limited to the SR trim.

Both vehicles provided robust technological features, with the Sentra offering more advanced options through NissanConnect services.

The 2020 Nissan Versa came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional safety features included a reversing camera, front and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.

The 2021 Sentra impressed with its comprehensive safety suite. Standard features included Nissan’s advanced airbag system, knee airbags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Sentra also boasted Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

Both vehicles prioritized safety, with the Sentra offering a more extensive array of features and higher safety ratings.