2021 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Nissan Versa

The 2020 Nissan Versa had evolved from its previous "big car" styling, adopting a more refined and handsome look reminiscent of its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The new design featured appropriately sized headlights and grille, giving it a more mature appearance. Inside, the cabin was straightforward yet stylish, with a two-tone theme and unique seat designs. The Versa offered three trims: S, SV, and SR, each with varying levels of features and upgrades. Despite some cost-cutting measures like harsh plastics and manual seat adjustments, the Versa's interior was a significant improvement over its predecessor.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design that had become synonymous with the model. However, this styling was not universally praised. The interior was equally unconventional, with a central strip of displays and a unique transmission control setup. The Prius offered five trims: L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD system for the LE and XLE. Despite its quirky design, the Prius provided a spacious and functional interior, though the gloss-black trim was prone to attracting dust and fingerprints.

The 2020 Nissan Versa featured a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous generation. This engine was paired with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT, with the latter being standard on the SV and SR trims. The Versa's acceleration was decent, and the CVT managed power well, especially in Sport mode. Fuel economy was respectable, with the CVT-equipped Versa achieving 32 mpg city, 40 highway, and 35 combined. The driving experience was engaging, with responsive steering and a fun-to-drive nature, despite some body lean at higher speeds.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, on the other hand, focused on fuel efficiency rather than performance. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The L Eco trim achieved an impressive 56 mpg combined, while other FWD models earned 52 mpg, and AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius excelled in urban driving conditions, where its electric motor provided instant torque and allowed for electric-only driving at low speeds. The TNGA platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling, though the driving experience was marred by powertrain noise and lifeless steering.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its predecessor's 15-cubic-foot trunk, one of the largest in its class, with a large opening for easy loading. However, the new Versa lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less accommodating for adults. The front seats offered ample legroom, even for taller drivers, making the Versa a suitable personal commuter car.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, despite its compact appearance, offered a surprisingly spacious interior. It could comfortably seat five people, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery could be sticky in warm weather. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making the Prius a practical choice for carrying cargo.

The 2020 Nissan Versa came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV trim added the NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an upgraded instrument panel with a digital screen. This screen provided various functions, including safety alerts, Bluetooth streaming audio, and fuel-economy stats, offering a user-friendly and tech-savvy experience.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the standard stereo sound quality was lacking, and the digital instrumentation felt dated with unimpressive graphics.

The 2020 Nissan Versa included a range of standard driver-assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other safety features included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, providing automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Prius received favorable marks from the IIHS but lacked a current NHTSA rating.