2020 Toyota Corolla vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, with its redesigned look, was not universally praised for its aesthetics. However, when equipped with SE or XSE trim and the attractive Celestite paint color, it managed to present a more appealing appearance. The interior quality saw significant improvements, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the previously cheap, hard plastics. Despite these enhancements, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car status. The base price started at $19,600, with the top XSE trim reaching around $28,800.

The 2020 Nissan Versa shed its previous "big car" styling for a more refined look, taking cues from its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. Inside, the cabin was straightforward yet stylish, featuring a two-tone theme and unique seat designs. The Versa offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, with the SV trim providing a good balance of features and price. Despite some cheap-feeling components, the new Versa made significant strides in interior quality compared to its predecessor.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a more sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters. The XSE trim's driving dynamics were well-tuned, providing a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the lack of a turbocharger meant the Corolla struggled with acceleration, especially in dynamic driving situations. Fuel economy for the XSE was rated at 31 mpg city, 38 highway, and 34 combined, with an observed average of 29.8 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, now producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The S trim came with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the CVT was standard on the SV and SR trims. The Versa's acceleration improved, making it more capable of handling highway speeds. The CVT managed power well, especially in Sport mode. Fuel economy for the manual transmission was 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT achieved 32/40/35. An observed average of 34.7 mpg was noted during a week of mixed driving.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite being smaller than a Camry, offered a roomy interior officially rated as midsize by the EPA. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and privacy-tinted rear glass made it less comfortable for rear passengers. The front seats were comfortable, but the low seating position and lack of a front seat height adjuster were drawbacks. Trunk space measured 13.1 cubic feet, sufficient for a couple of suitcases and additional bags.

The 2020 Nissan Versa's trunk size remained at 15 cubic feet, one of the largest in its class. However, the new Versa lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making it less suitable for carpooling or ridesharing. The front seats offered ample legroom, even for taller drivers. The loss of backseat space was a significant change from the previous generation, but the Versa still provided a practical and spacious interior for a personal commuter car.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay available but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, familiar knobs, and main menu buttons. Higher trims offered additional features like advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, and a JBL premium sound system. The standard setup with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen provided essential functionality, especially for iPhone users.

The 2020 Nissan Versa stepped up its game with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant as standard. The SV trim added the NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an upgraded instrument panel featuring a digital screen. This screen provided various functions, including safety alerts, Bluetooth streaming audio, and fuel-economy stats, making it a highly functional and user-friendly system.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included features like low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system operated with impressive refinement and accuracy, though the lane-departure warning alert was irritating. The Corolla also had a blind-spot monitoring system, standard on higher trims. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a 5-star rating for frontal-impact protection, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for 2019.

The 2020 Nissan Versa added several standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. These features were part of a broader trend of making advanced safety technologies available across all trims. The Versa also included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.