- CARS, CARS, CARS. CAR AND DRIVER. OCT/2019
From Fleet to Splenda Sweet
TESTED The all-new Nissan Versa is more than just cheap. LOf2_VP@aN_Q
he outgoing Nissan Versa had the distinction of being the
least expensive new car in America and reaching more drive-
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in its class. Despite its popularity, or perhaps because of it, the Versa
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Airport. Mercifully, the 2020 Versa is prettier and better-driving, and
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Starting at $15,625, the Versa is no longer the least expensive new
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ab_RdN__N[aaUR $ NQQRQa\VaONR]_VPR9VXRdVR\b¼a Q_VcRcR_V¼RQaUNaaURCR_NZRNb_Rb]V[_R¼[RZR[aa\VcNYYVXR the Hy undai Accent and the Toyota Yaris. On the outside, the Versa has been transformed from homely to UN[Q\ZR3\ZaUR;VN[R`^bRS_\[aR[Qa\aUR²½\NaV[T³_\\S the details are cribbed from other models in the lineup, such as the .YaVZNN[QaUR`]b[XfVS`VYYf8VPX`P_\\cRdUVPU¼YY`aURTN]YRSa
OfaURQRNQS_ CRN;\aRUNaPUONPX 6[VQRaUR[RdRQN[OR[R¼aS\ZORaaR]YNaVPN[QVPURRNa fabric. Nissan upgraded the switchgear, too, trading the chintzy dials for sturdier X[\OB[S_ab[NaRYfaURONPXRNaY\aVa previously Uber-worthy accommodations: Rear-seat legroom is down six inches. Our biggest gripe with the Versa of old dNVa`V[QVßRR[a[\NQQRZRN[_AUR
new one improves the experience with a
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when the road turns ugly. No one will mis-
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Every 2020 Versa comes with automated
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tion, automatic high-beams, and lane-
departure warning.
The Versa still uses a naturally aspi-
rated 1.6-liter inline-four, but an increased
compression ratio helped Nissan extract
another 13 horsepower and seven pound-
feet of torque, totaling 122 and 114 , respec-
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way entrance ramp. The updated CVT
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gearchanges that vary the engine speed.
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equipped models is up 1 mpg, to 35 mpg.
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S trim; it delivers the same 30 mpg on the
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cars with crossovers, Nissan still believes
in sedans and says its research shows that
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compact with active safety features, this
Versa might gain some traction beyond
the rental-car counter.2020 Nissan Versa SR
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive,
5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED: $19,645
BASE PRICE: $19,135
ENGINE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum
block and head, port fuel injection
DISPLACEMENT: 98 cu in, 1598 cc
POWER: 122 hp @ 6300 rpm
TORQUE: 114 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
TRANSMISSION: continuously variable
automatic
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE: 103.1 in
LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT: 177.0/68.5/57.7 in
PASSENGER VOLUME: 89 cu ft
TRUNK VOLUME: 15 cu ft
CURB WEIGHT: 2697 lbC/D Test Results
ZERO TO 60 MPH: 10.4 sec
ZERO TO 100 MPH: 33.9 sec
ROLLING START, 5–60 MPH: 10.3 sec
1/4-MILE: 18.0 sec @ 79 mph
TOP SPEED: 115 mph (drag limited, C/D est)
BRAKING, 70–0 MPH: 178 ft
ROADHOLDING, 300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD: 0.86 g*
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA COMBINED/CITY/HWY: 35/32/40 mpg
C/D OBSERVED: 26 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited.DRIVELINES
T
Styling
redemption,
more
standard
features,
respectable
from behind
the wheel.
Higher
price, smaller
back seat,
still painfully
slow.