2020 Nissan Versa
About the Car
2020 Nissan Versa
The all-new, third generation 2020 Nissan Versa takes the popular subcompact sedan to a new level of refinement with a fresh, exciting design and technology and safety features not usually found in the segment.
The third of four popular Nissan cars to be recently redesigned, the all-new Nissan Versa – with a clear design expression of the Nissan brand – serves the more than five million customers who buy sedans each year in the U.S. Sedans remain a popular choice for Gen X, Millennials and multicultural customers.
Technology is a top priority in the all-new Nissan Versa, featuring available Nissan Safety Shield 360, a prime example of Nissan Intelligent Mobility that helps provide front, side and rear safety monitoring and intervention technologies. Safety Shield 360 features include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Other available technology includes Intelligent Driver Alertness and Intelligent Cruise Control.
Design is also a key strategic advantage for the 2020 Nissan Versa, combining an all-new dramatic and expressive exterior with a fresh new interior with class-above features and quality.
“Emotional Geometry” Exterior Design
With the 2020 Versa, Nissan has reimagined the entry-level sedan with a design that leaves a lasting first impression and that owners can be proud to be seen in. The new design features lower, wider and longer exterior dimensions while retaining Versa’s roomy interior space. It is the latest in the makeover of Nissan’s complete sedan lineup following the flagship Maxima and all-new Altima.
Under Nissan’s “Emotional Geometry” design language, Versa adapts key elements – such as the V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped headlamps and tail lamps, kick-up C-pillars and floating roof. The result is an entry-level car that the designers describe as an energetic, provocative and engaging modern compact sedan.
“The wheels are pushed out, there’s an imposing grille presence, everything about it says lower, wider, longer,” said Giovanny Arroba, program design director, Nissan Global Design Center, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
The exterior dimensions are 1.6-inches longer and 1.8-inches wider (than the previous generation Versa) – along with a 2.3-inch lower height (2.1-inch lower for the Versa SR grade). Contributing to the new Nissan Versa’s dramatic stanch are reduced gaps between the fenders and tires. The coefficient of drag is an aerodynamic 0.29 (Xtronic-equipped models).
The new dimensions also help provide easy ingress and egress through all four doors. In addition, the new body offers a wider, more user-friendly trunk opening and 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
Halogen headlamps with auto on/off feature are standard, with the Versa SR featuring LED low and high beam headlights, LED signature lamps and fog lights. The Versa SR also includes a dark chrome front grille and body-colored trunk lid spoiler. Other available exterior features include heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and body-color exterior door handles (SV, SR grades).
Color is another carefully considered element of the new Nissan Versa’s appeal. Eight exterior colors help accent the sleek body design: Electric Blue Metallic, Monarch Orange Metallic (premium color), Brilliant Silver Metallic, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat (premium color), Aspen White TriCoat (premium color) and Fresh Powder.
A Fresh New Interior Design
The 2020 Versa’s interior also represents a reimagining of the previous generation design with signature elements found in Maxima and Altima – including the “Gliding Wing” instrument panel that expands the feel of the space through use of a light and sleek “wingspan.” The effect of the design’s spatial symmetry is an enhanced sense of togetherness. The horizontal architecture, open spaces and use of harmonious materials and colors add a fresh, up-level quality to the entire cabin.
“Just as the new Versa democratizes the availability of advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety features across the sedan lineup, we’ve done the same with design details, such as the use of daring and bold body surface treatments that are usually found on vehicles one level up,” said Arroba. “The new Versa design is more tailored and mature than you’d expect to find in an entry-level vehicle.”
Like the previous generation Nissan Versa, the 2020 edition features roomy 5-passenger interior with a comfortable rear seat with ample rear legroom and knee room. Its large interior volume of 88.9 cubic feet is matched with 14.3 cubic feet of trunk volume (split rear seat). Six-way adjustable front bucket seats are standard, with an available driver’s seat armrest. Versa models equipped with the Xtronic transmission include a convenient 60/40-split fold-down rear seat. Heated front seats are offered with the SR Convenience Package. The Versa SR also features sporty SR seat fabric with interior trim and accents.
Other standard equipment includes a 7.0-inch color display with touch screen capability (resistive type), Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, 12-volt power outlet, three USB ports (two charge only), interface for iPod® and other compatible devices, Siri® Eyes Free and AM/FM audio system with 4 speakers.
A 6-speaker system (SR grade), 7.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display (SV, SR grades), leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are also available. In addition, SV and SR grades include NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and SiriusXM® satellite radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately).
The 2020 Nissan Versa also comes complete with a long list of standard convenience features, including front and rear power windows with driver’s one-touch auto up/down, speed-sensing auto door locks front map lights, front door map pockets with bottle holder, dual front and rear cupholders, cruise control, illuminated steering wheel controls for audio and cruise control, remote keyless entry with fobs, including lock/unlock and trunk release, push button start and RearView Monitor.
Versa SV and SR grades add steering wheel controls with voice recognition, Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA) and Rear Door Alert (RDA) system. Versa SR takes the equipment list up another level with Automatic Climate Control, Nissan Intelligent Key® and remote engine start. Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) is also available with the SR grade.
Three interior colors are offered: Charcoal (S grade), Graphite (SV grade) and Sport (SR grade).
No-Compromise Performance
The 2020 Versa not only takes its dynamic styling, quality benchmarking and attention to detail from its Maxima and Altima sedan stable mates, it also offers confident driving and no-compromise performance.
Standard on all three Nissan Versa grade levels is a next generation 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 122 horsepower and a 114 lb-ft of torque – increases of 12 percent and seven percent respectively.
The new “Gen3” 16-valve DOHC HR16DE engine features a 10.4:1 compression ratio, spray-coated bore cylinder block, high thermal conductivity piston rings and sodium-filled exhaust valves. The advanced engine design, with its emphasis on enhanced fuel economy and emissions, also includes dual injector system that burns cleaner and uses less fuel than a conventional injector design, along with Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable valve Timing Control) on both intake and exhaust cycles.
The Versa S is available with a choice of a 5-speed manual transmission or an enhanced Xtronic transmission – which is standard on Versa SV and SR grades.
The new, compact Xtronic transmission with sub-planetary gear features revised D-step Logic Control for improved shift feel and responsiveness (versus the previous generation design). The Xtronic’s gear range is 20 percent wider than conventional continuously variable transmissions, helping improve both acceleration performance and fuel economy.
Along with its improved power and torque, the new Xtronic design is lighter and more fuel-efficient. Fuel economy for Xtronic-equipped models is rated at 32 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined. With the 5-speed manual transmission, fuel economy rated at 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined.
The new Versa’s enhanced ride and handling is provided by an independent strut front suspension with 21.0 mm stabilizer bar and twin tube shock absorbers, along with a torsion beam rear axle with twin tube shock absorbers. The rear suspension changes include polyurethane bump stops and a more rigid beam design. Roll angle has been reduced by 15 percent and crosswind stability has been improved due to improved yaw rated, tire size increase and a 20 mm expansion of the front chin spoiler (versus the previous generation Nissan Versa).
Body rigidity has also been enhanced (versus the previous generation) through a combination of structural modifications, increased thickness of select parts, and additional structural pieces. In addition, the electric power steering system features a high-rigidity shaft, up 30 percent from the previous design – providing a more responsive feel.
Braking is provided by standard power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). All grade levels include standard Hill Start Assist.
The Nissan Versa S grade comes with 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers and 195/65R15 all-season tires, while Versa SV offers 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with 205/55R16 all-season tires. The sporty Versa SR features 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 205/50R17 all-season tires.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility Safety Technology
Another area where the new 2020 Nissan Versa stands out is with its available Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology. Safety Shield 360 – which is standard on SV and SR grade levels – includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and High Beam Assist (HBA).
The Versa S grade offers standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning (LDW and Rear Automatic Braking (RAB). Rear Automatic Braking helps the driver detect large stationary objects when backing up, and if necessary applies the brakes to help avoid a collision.
Standard safety features include 10 air bags. The Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags. Also standard are seat-mounted driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, seat-mounted rear passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection and driver and front passenger supplement knee air bags.
Additional safety features include standard LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system, child safety rear door locks, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System and Easy Fill Tire Alert System.
Unbeatable Value
Already the sales-leading nameplate in the economy compact category, the new 2020 Nissan Versa sedan is expected to remain among the very top selling vehicles in the segment. With its emotional design, unexpected roominess and advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology, Versa brings a new level of style, excitement and refinement to entry-level buyers at a highly affordable price.
The 2020 Nissan Versa is available in three well-equipped models: Versa S (5-speed manual and Xtronic), Versa SV (Xtronic) and Versa SR (Xtronic). Just one option is offered, the SR Convenience Package.
The 2020 Nissan Versa is assembled at Nissan’s Aguascalientes, Mexico assembly plant.