2020 Nissan Versa vs 2019 Nissan Versa | What’s the Difference?

2020 Nissan Versa vs 2019 Nissan Versa: What’s the Difference?
The Nissan Versa has received a gorgeous redesign for 2020. It’s currently leading the compact car segment in sales, according to Nissan, and with five million customers buying compact cars every year, that’s a pretty serious indicator of value. Choosing between the Nissan Versas that are available can be difficult however, so we’ve designed a handy guide that outlines what’s changed between the 2019 Versa and the brand new 2020 model. Take a look at our guide below to see where NIssan’s decided to add value to the Versa lineup.
Exterior and Performance Upgrades
The most noticeable difference for the new Nissan Versa is its exterior. The car has been completely restyled from the ground up, inside and out, featuring an aggressively sloping hook that brings the 2020 Nissan Versa in line with the manufacturer’s current design language. The new NIssan Versa exterior dimensions are also lower and wider than they were in 2019, contributing to an increase in handling, and a more powerful and commanding stance that’s easy to notice. When it comes to looks, Nissan’s definitely spent their money wisely bringing the Versa up to date.
The Versa’s 4-cylinder engine has also been updated, which further contributes to this car’s new exceptional driving experience. The new 1.6-liter inline-four yields 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque; up to 32 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway when paired with the automatic transmission, and 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg highway with the manual transmission that’s available. This is a huge performance increase compared to the 2019 Versa, and getting behind the wheel of a new Versa should feel like an entirely different car. If you’re interested in pushing your compact car in terms of performance, the 2020 model is a great buy.
Interior Differences
The 2020 redesign overhauled the Versa’s interior space as well. Much of the increase to MSRP for the Versa in 2020 can be contributed to the car’s new premium feel. The driver’s side and dashboard have been entirely redesigned for 2020, making the interior feel more spacious, and changing the controls to feel more intuitive. The work that Nissan’s designers have put into this compact car is readily visible, and it’s easy to call the new Nissan Versa interior a clear winner between these two. Both models come equipped with a 7-inch infotainment system, and are Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatible in the SV trims and above. The 2020 Nissan Versa has also gotten some new safety features, which include optional blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, driver-alertness monitoring and a rear-seat reminder. The 2020 Versa gets access to features usually reserved for higher end models as well, including remote keyless entry, push button start, and power windows. Nissan has taken the liberty of bringing the bottom specifications up across the board with the new Nissan Versa, and all-in-all they’ve spent their resources wisely. If you can afford the interior upgrade to the 2020, you won’t lose out on value through the interior.
Versa Trim Configurations
The 2020 Nissan Versa has 3 trim options to choose from, the S, the SV, and the SR, which is the model’s sport upgrade option. If you upgrade from the S to the SV in the 2020 Versa, you’ll get access to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, blind spot warnings, a driver’s seat mounted headrest, Advanced Drive-Assist Display, and heated power outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators. The 2019 Nissan Versa came with 3 trim options also, called the S, S Plus, and SV. The S Plus was a simple upgrade to the S, which featured added cruise control and a rear spoiler with integrated tail light. On the 2019 SV, you get access to 60/40 fold down rear seats, a feature which is standard on the 2020 Nissan Versa. The starting prices on the 2019 Nissan Versa trims will be a little lower than the 2020 version, but much of the technology you’re paying for comes in the 2020 Nissan Versa for free, so it’s best to stick to the S model if you’re interested in a 2019.
Safety Comparison
The 2019 Nissan versa had good scores for crashworthiness, except in the small overlap: front driver’s side test which indicated the car wasn’t as safe as it could be in certain front-end collisions. The 2020 redesign has remedied this issue, and the 2020 Nissan Versa now has the highest rating possible for that particular collision type. With the additional safety features in this year’s 2020 Nissan Versa SV, it’s fair to say this model is significantly safer than any other Versa. If safety is a top priority, you should opt for the 2020 Versa.
Your Questions about the Nissan Versa, Answered:
What are the Pros and Cons of a 2020 Nissan Versa?
The 2020 Nissan Versa is a commuter vehicle that offers spectacular fuel economy and a feature-packed cockpit, making it a highly enjoyable everyday driver. One drawback to the Nissan Versa is its limited trunk space. If you’re looking for room to store your stuff, you might consider the 2019 Versa Note, which comes in a hatchback option and shares some of the similar upsides to the Nissan Versa.
How is the Interior Space in the Nissan Versa?
The Nissan Versa offers a generous 39.5 inches of head room in the front, which is competitive across even mid and full size sedans, so you won’t find the Versa to be any smaller than most other sedans. The Versa offers 36.3 inches of headroom in the rear however, which is a bit less than it offers in the front. You might want to let your tallest friends take the passenger seat if they’re planning to come along.
Is a Nissan Versa a Good Fit For Beginner Drivers?
The 2020 Nissan Versa has one of the lowest starting MSRP of all compact cars, which makes it a great choice for young drivers, especially if they’re going to help out funding the purchase of the car. The 2020 Versa is also very safe, which means that beginning driver’s won’t have to worry about getting injured in an accident. With additional safety features available, this car can be outfitted for maximum driving confidence.
Why Choose Five Star Nissan of Albany?
We understand that the world doesn’t stop turning at the top of a hat, so we’ve made special arrangements to ensure you can buy your car from home. You can buy a new or used car from us, and we’ll deliver it right to your door at no extra cost to you. Whenever you buy a Nissan from us, we offer a free lifetime Powertrain warranty that extends beyond industry standards. We’ve been serving the Albany, Cordele, and Tifton for years, with a customer-focused team that ensures everyone walks off the lot happy, whether you’re looking to buy a new car, get your old one serviced, or just come by to research new models. We want to earn your business, so if you contact us, we’ll get in touch with you within 20 minutes or less. Shop our inventory online and test drive the 2020 Versa today!
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MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at MSRP refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.
All figures are EPA estimates. Actual mileage may vary.