When you go looking for a car like the 2020 Nissan Versa, power and performance is never a prime concern. Nevertheless, the Nissan Versa is a fairly able machine. Powering this humble family sedan is just as humble a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes 122 hp and 114 lb.-ft. torque.
Power is fed exclusively to the front wheels with the help of either a five-speed manual unit, standard on the S version, or a 2-speed continuously variable transmission standard on the SV and SR trims which Nissan likes to call it as the Xtronic transmission.
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Models
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Nissan Versa
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Ford Fiesta
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Hyundai Accent
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Toyota Yaris
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MSRP
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$14,730
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$14,260
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$15,195
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$15,600
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Engine
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1.6L Regular Inline-4
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1.6L Regular Inline-4
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1.6L Inline-4
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1.5L Regular Inline-4
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| Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
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Transmission
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5-speed manual w/OD
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5-speed manual w/OD
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6-speed manual w/OD
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6-speed manual w/OD
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Power
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122hp @6,300rpm
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120hp @6,350rpm
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120hp @6,300rpm
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106hp @6,000rpm
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Torque
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114lb-ft @4,000rpm
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112lb-ft @5,000rpm
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113lb-ft @4,500rpm
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103 lb-ft @4,000rpm
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All sedans in this face-off get more or less similarly capable engines. However, the one on the Versa makes the most power and torque.
How fast is the Nissan Versa Sedan?
The 2020 Nissan Versa’s laid-back characteristics are amply displayed by the way it picks up speed. The power, though plenty to haul this sedan, is not delivered in an instant. One has to stand on the throttle and wait as the Versa leisurely, but most definitely, picks up speed.
While the base Versa with a 5-speed manual unit is still fast, the other two top variants with the CVT and inline-four combinations are not at all built for hardcore acceleration. The CVT transmission hesitates to put down power as and when needed. Drive with a light foot and the Versa feels at home.
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Models
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Nissan Versa
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Ford Fiesta
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Hyundai Accent
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Toyota Yaris
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0-60 MPH
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9.7 sec
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9.5 sec
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7.5 sec
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9.6 sec
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Quarter Mile
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17.4 sec
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17.2 sec
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16.0 sec
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17.4 sec
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| Top Speed |
115 mph |
144 mph |
N/A |
115 mph |
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Engine
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1.6L Regular Inline-4
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1.6L Regular Inline-4
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1.6L Inline-4
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1.5L Regular Inline-4
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The Hyundai Accent is the lightest sedan in this lineup, though not less than the Yaris. Still, it is the fastest of the lot and that's down to a better-calibrated CVT gearbox.
What about the braking performance of the Nissan Versa Sedan?
Helping the 2020 Nissan Versa to come to a halt are ventilated disc brakes at the front and good old drums at the back. Drums at the back keep the costs in check. The mechanism is old-fashioned and fairly cheap to produce and maintain.
Hence, don’t expect this Nissan to stop on a dime. In fact, the new Versa’s braking is very much in line with its acceleration. Only now, due to its stiffer chassis, this Nissan responds better to inputs than the outgoing model.
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Models
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Nissan Versa
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Ford Fiesta
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Hyundai Accent
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Toyota Yaris
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Brake Rotors Front (in)
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10.0"
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7.9"
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11.0"
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7.9"
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Brake Rotors Rear (in)
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8.0"
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7.9"
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N/A
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7.9"
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Curb Weight (lbs)
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2599 lbs
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2578 lbs
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2502 lbs
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2385 lbs
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60-0 MPH (ft)
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124 ft.
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121 ft.
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128 ft.
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120 ft.
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In terms of the braking performance, it is the newly launched Toyota Yaris that takes top honors on the braking front. The Fiesta surprisingly comes in the second spot and is followed by the Accent, which comes in a distant 3rd.
What about its driving dynamics?
The 2020 Nissan Versa is definitely not a track machine as is evident by its lousy acceleration and relaxed braking. Even the suspension is not set up in a way to help this sedan maintain composure while tackling corners. However, the front and rear stabilizers do what they can to keep the body roll as much under control as possible. Also, the new body is stiffer than before, so the Versa does respond a lot better to steering inputs than before.
But the relaxed demeanor of this sedan from Nissan makes it a very able city cruiser. Power is plenty in the mid-range which means no unnecessary shifts in traffic. The 0-30 mph range is where the 2020 Nissan Versa feels most at home. However, overtaking maneuvers on the highways would have to be planned ahead. Note that handling the Versa at those speeds is a task as the steering is light and devoid of any feeling, which is not new for cheap electric power steering systems. It is just that the Versa takes its own sweet time to pick up the pace. Furthermore, the MacPherson strut suspension up front works well with the tension beam rear suspension to absorb most bumps cleanly.
