A lot of us look for great power in a car, these cars run fast and sip more fuel. Some of us have different requirements and prioritize affordability and lesser running costs. 2020 Nissan Versa Note starts at a very reasonable price. Versa is a simple, slow and strictly a commuter car.
Nissan Versa is equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 109 horsepower. Due to lack of power, the Versa feels better suited to city driving. The Versa isn't a quick car but it really delivers where it counts the most - affordable transportation. To keep operating costs low, Nissan Versa uses a CVT for gear shifting and achieves a good fuel economy.
Semi-independent rear torsion beam suspension w/anti-roll bar
brake rotors (f/r)
58.3/58.5
dimensions
wheelbase
102.4 in.
length
175.4 in.
width
66.7 in.
height
59.6 in.
curb weight
2395 lbs.
ground clearance
6.8 in.
capacity
passenger volume
40.5 cu ft.
cargo volume
14.9 cu ft.
payload capacity
994 lbs.
performance
zero to 60 mph
9.1 sec.
fuel economy
city/combined/highway
27/30/36 mpg
highway range
388.8 mi.
warranty
basic warranty
3 yr. / 36000 mi.
drivetrain warranty
5 yr. / 60000 mi.
powertrain warranty
60 months. / 60000
corrosion warranty
5 yr. / unlimited
roadside assistance
3 yr. / 36000 mi.
Pictures
exterior
interior
Colors and Styles
Brilliant Silver
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
The subcompact segment has some stiff competition, Nissan Versa competes with Kia Rio, Honda Fit, and Chevrolet Sonic. Nissan offers more utility than other subcompacts at a lower price. If you are looking for high utility, decent fuel economy and are in for a budget car, then Versa should be on your list.
2020 Nissan Versa front view
2020 Nissan Versa rear view
4.5/10 Features
4.7/10 Engine and Performance
6.0/10 Fuel Economy
7.6/10 Interior
4.5/10 Exterior
3.0/10 Safety
2020 Nissan Versa Features
4.5/10
Nissan Versa Note is offered in three trim levels: S, SV, and SR. All the trims come standard with a four-cylinder engine paired with an FWD drivetrain. And unlike its sedan counterpart, the Versa Note comes standard with a CVT. The base trim is equipped with only the bare minimum features. It gets a 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. If you are looking to buy a new car with a warranty while spending the really less. The base S trim fits the bill. The mid-spec SV trim brings in cloth upholstery, power windows and cruise control for an additional expense of $1000.
Trims
S
SV
SR
MSRP (FWD)
$15,650
$16,550
$18,360
Features
1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine
Integrated Key with remote keyless entry
16" x 6.0" 5-split spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System
Upgraded cloth seat trim
Sport side sills
7" touch-screen display
Upgraded Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges with trip computer and outside temperature display
Fog lights
Bluetooth streaming audio
Power windows with driver’s one-touch auto-down feature
Rear roof spoiler
Air conditioning
-
Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition
RearView Monitor
Cruise control
-
Air conditioning
Rear window defroster
-
The SV comes equipped with keyless entry, a height-adjustable driver's seat with an armrest, NissanConnect with mobile apps and a 7-in color display, Divide-N-Hide storage, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls, and Siri Eyes Free. Although SR has a lot more to offer, SV offers great versatility for a minimal price.
We Recommend
The base S trim is short on features, and the best it has to offer is the standard 4 speaker sound system with Bluetooth. So, if you want value for your money, upgrade to SV trim as it has a lot more to offer than the base trim.
2020 Nissan Versa Engine and Performance
4.7/10
“With a meager 109-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a nontraditional continuously variable transmission (CVT) and uninspiring handling, the Versa Note offers little in terms of performance. This is strictly a point A to point B car with minimal entertainment in between.”-Edmunds
The Versa Note hatchback is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four engine. The small motor is rated for 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Gear shifting duties are done by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The engine is underpowered, it struggles to move almost 2500 lbs. of hatchback. So it will take some time before you reach decent speeds.
2020 Nissan Versa engine
Models
Nissan Versa Note
Kia Rio Hatchback
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
Hyundai Veloster
MSRP
$15,650
$16,400
$16,190
$19,420
$19,500
Engine
1.6l I4
1.6L I4
1.5L I4
1.4L Turbocharged I4
2.0L I4
Transmission
CVT
6-speed automatic
CVT
6-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
109 @ 6,000
130@6300
130@6600
138@4900
147@6200
Torque
107 @ 4,400
119@4850
114@4600
148@1850
132@4500
The Versa Note hatchback can be used as a city commuter. Nissan Versa’s power output is the lowest in the segment. You would be better off with selecting something a little more powerful. Honda and Kia offer 130 hp output while Chevy Sonic is equipped with a turbocharged engine. Hyundai Veloster comes with the biggest (2.0-liter) engine in this comparison.
Acceleration
Nissan Versa Note is not going to win you any races. The zero to sixty mph is run in 9.9 seconds and the quarter mile is passed in 17.6 seconds. It takes painfully long to achieve decent speeds. The CVT drones while doing higher speeds. There isn’t much to say about the Nissan Versa.
2020 Nissan Versa Acceleration
2020 Versa Note can of tackle city driving but it is a different story when it comes to highway driving. You need to plan your overtaking maneuvers well. You will also need to floor the gas pedal and overwork the little engine, a lot more than any other subcompact.
Models
Nissan Versa Note
Kia Rio Hatchback
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
Hyundai Veloster
0-60 MPH
9.9 seconds*
8.5 seconds
8.2 seconds
8.2 seconds*
8.2 seconds
Quarter mile
17.6 seconds*
16.7 seconds
16.4 seconds
-
16.4 seconds
Engine
1.6L I4
1.6L I4
1.5L I4
1.4L I4
2.0L I4
Emission
(Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
-
5.5
4.9
-
-
Most of the cars in this comparison achieve their zero to sixty mph run in the sub-8-second window. Honda Fit, Chevy Sonic, and Hyundai Veloster tie for the first place with their 8.2-second naught to sixty run. Nissan Versa Note almost takes 10-seconds to achieve a similar feat.
*Data from 2018 has been used
Ride and Handling
The Nissan Versa doesn’t score high on the fun factor. The Versa doesn’t respond well to any enthusiastic input from the driver. Although the steering wheel has been weighed nicely, the tall body means a lot of body roll when you corner. The Versa has been equipped with skinnier tires in favor of fuel efficiency which take away all the fun you can have.
The driving experience is best described as serene. There’s no engine noise, or for that matter, the whine associated with electric motors that you might have experienced with earlier electrics. You might hear some far-off wind and tire noise, but that’s about it. Unlike the first generation to bear the name, the 2020 Leaf feels more substantial.
Braking
The Versa also follows the industry trend of using discs brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. Versa Note hatchback covers 188 feet before coming to a halt from a 70 mph. The Honda Fit has the best in comparison stopping power, Honda Fit takes 179 feet to stop from a similar speed.
2020 Nissan Versa wheel
Model
Nissan Versa Note
Kia Rio Hatchback
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
Hyundai Veloster
Brake Front (in.)
10
11
10.3
-
11
Brake Rear (in.)
8
8
7.9
-
10.3
Curb Weight (lbs.)
2,474
2714
2568
2819
2899
70-0 MPH (ft.)
188*
182
179
168*
-
2020 Nissan Versa Fuel Economy
6.0/10
Versa’s small engine lacks power and to compensate for this shortage it is pushed to the limits on a regular basis. 2020 Versa Note offers a combined fuel economy of 34 miles to the gallon. If we consider the competition, Versa Note hatchback’s fuel economy could have been better than the Fit if the engine wasn’t overworked so often.
Model
Nissan Versa Note
Kia Rio Hatchback
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
Hyundai Veloster
MPG (city)
31
28
33
26
27
MPG (highway)
39
37
40
34
34
MPG (combined)
34
32
36
29
30
2020 Nissan Versa Interior
7.6/10
“No Versa has an especially dressy interior. Hard plastic surfaces dominate its dashboard and doors. The carpet has a distinctly budget feel and even the cloth upholstery on all trims doesn’t impress.”-TheCarConnection
Seating and Comfort
The Versa isn’t about the luxury, Versa doesn’t try to hide its low price tag. The hard plastic trim is all around. The upholstery is thin and Versa’s cheapness is evident. The droning sound of the CVT can unpleasant while traveling long distances. Versa is equipped with a softly tuned suspension that soaks all the bumps and road undulations, pretty well.
2020 Nissan Versa Seating
Models
Nissan Versa Note
Kia Rio Hatchback
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
Hyundai Veloster
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
5
Front Headroom
41.2
40.8
38.9
39.5
38.7
Shoulder room
51.7
54.1
54.8
53.4
56.0
Legroom
41.3
42.1
41.4
41.8
42.6
Rear HEadroom
37.6
38.0
38.0
37.5
38.1
Shoulder room
51.9
53.3
52.6
53.0
54.3
Headroom
38.3
33.5
39.3
34.6
34.1
In spite of its smaller dimensions, the Versa hatchback has loads of interior space on offer. The front headroom (40.8-inches) is easily one of the best in the segment. Even the rear seats have decent space, at 38.3-inches rear headroom is better than most of the competitors in the segment.
Interior Features
The Nissan Versa offers a modest list of interior features. Some of these features are mentioned below:
7" touch-screen display
4-way manual driver's seat
60/40 Split fold-down rear seats
Cloth seat trim
Silver accents on dash and vent rings
Infotainment
Versa Note is offered with a 7-inch touchscreen display and a four-speaker audio system. The infotainment system is an example of a bare-bones setup with aux input and Bluetooth phone connectivity. The response time is better than most of the popular smartphones.
2020 Nissan Versa Infotainment Display
The interface is intuitive to use and comes loaded with the following tech :
Bluetooth phone and audio streaming
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Satellite radio
Four USB ports (two front, two rear)
A six-speaker audio system
Cargo Capacity
Nissan does well when you need to store items in the trunk. The hatchback offers 18.8 cu-ft. of trunk space. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats can be folded to increase the cargo volume even further. The Versa doesn’t have many cubby spaces for storing items inside the cabin.
“We’ve already put forward the argument that hatchbacks can be more aesthetically pleasing than their sedan siblings. It could quite easily ring true in this case. Short overhangs, sculpted doors and a large rear spoiler above the rear window (on the SR model) convey a fun character. From a purely practical point of view, the tall doors mean easy entry and exit. The wide-opening rear doors, meanwhile, prove their worth when fitting a child seat, and when buckling in or extracting your bundle of Cheerios-covered joy.”-KelleyBlueBook
Dimensions and Weight
The Versa Note shares its underpinnings with the Nissan Versa sedan but it doesn’t share in the dated design of the sedan. The Versa Note is one of the more attractive options in the subcompact segment. Compared to the Versa sedan, the Versa hatchback has a sleeker front fascia and updated headlights. At 163.7 inches, the Versa hatchback is one of the longest cars in the subcompact class. It also has a wheelbase of 102.4 inches which results in a generous passenger volume.
2020 Nissan Versa Side View
Model
Nissan Versa Note
Kia Rio Hatchback
Honda Fit
Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback
Hyundai Veloster
Curb weight (lbs.)
2,474
2714
2568
2896
2899
Length(in)
163.7
160.0
161.4
159.8
166.9
Width(in)
66.7
67.9
67.0
68.3
70.9
Height(in)
60.5
57.1
60.0
59.7
55.1
Ground clearance (in)
-
5.5
4.4
-
-
Wheelbase (in)
102.4
101.6
99.6
99.4
104.3
Track width (in) F/R
58.3/ 58.5
59.8/60.0
58.3/58.0
59.4/ 59.4
61.0/ 61.5
Exterior Features
Active grille shutters
Intelligent auto headlights
Led headlights with signature
Led fog lights
External ground lighting
Heated outside mirrors with led turn signal indicators
The 2020 Nissan Versa hatch is offered with safety features like stability control, rearview camera, and six airbags. It misses out on active driving aids like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors as a standard feature. Some of these features have been mentioned below.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
Hood buckling creases and safety stops
Energy-absorbing steering column
Pipe-style steel side-door guard beams
2020 Nissan Versa Competition
Versa Note vs Kia Rio
Kia Rio is powered by a 130 hp inline-four engine. The prices for the 2020 Kia Rio start at $16,400. Kia Rio is a well-known nameplate in the subcompact segment. The space for front passengers is good but the rear seats might feel cramped for three passengers. For a budget car, the Rio checks most of the correct boxes. It has well laid out cabin and more appealing interior trim. It handles better than the Nissan Versa.
2020 Kia Rio
Versa Note vs Honda Fit
Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter engine which produces 130 horsepower. The pricing for the base trim of the Honda Pilot starts at $16,190. Honda Fit scores high on utility. Honda offers better passenger room and cargo space. It is also offered with Honda’s suite of safety features – Honda Sensing at the higher trim levels. The Fit offers better fuel economy, utilitarian magic seats, and considerably better resale value. Honda Fit also offers a better interior trim than the Versa Note.
2020 Honda Fit
Versa Note vs Chevrolet Sonic
The Chevrolet Sonic is equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that produces 138 horsepower. Chevy Sonic is easier to drive because of its turbocharged engine. This makes the Sonic a more fun to drive car in a segment where most cars have normally aspirated engines. Chevy Sonic can be had with a six-speed manual or automatic at all trim levels. If you are looking for a fun driving experience then the Chevy Sonic should be high on the list.
2020 Chevrolet Sonic
2020 Nissan Versa Final Verdict
Nissan Versa Note is powered by a 109 hp inline-four engine. The Versa hatchback is available in three trim levels. The prices for the 2020 Nissan Versa hatchback start at $15,650. Versa is only available with a CVT transmission. The space for front passengers is good but the rear seats also offer decent room for three passengers. The Versa is better suited for city driving but it struggles on the highway.
For a budget car, the Versa checks most of the essential boxes. It has well laid out cabin, generous cargo space and a very competitive price but if you are looking to keep your car for a long time and use it for a personal basis then your money would be better spent elsewhere.