The Nissan Versa is affordable transportation that has an appealing price—especially for students. It’s not quick but it is spacious, especially in hatchback form.
Pros Affordable price for new-car buyers Good fuel economy for the class Spacious rear-seat accommodations Good-looking hatchback that we like…
Cons ...and a sedan that we don’t Not much value in S Plus trim Hollow-feeling buttons and trim Pokey power
The 2018 Nissan Versa ranked #14 in Subcompact Cars. Currently the Nissan Versa has a score of 6.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 80 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Both rows of seats have plenty of legroom Sedan models have large trunks Tight turning radius Low base price
Cons Uninspiring engine Low-rent cabin Few tech features
The 2018 Nissan Versa offers a huge back seat and trunk, a comfy ride and good fuel economy. It's also one of the least expensive cars around, at least in base form. If you're a driver for Lyft or Uber, a Versa could very well be an ideal car. But if you're car shopping isn't based on such obvious commercial reasons, the Versa stops making as much sense.
PROS Giant back seat for such a small car Rides comfortably over bumps Roomy trunk Low base price
CONS Rearview camera is optional No telescoping steering wheel Noisy and slow acceleration Driving experience, style and personality are all bland
The 2019 Hyundai Accent ranked #7 in Subcompact Cars. Currently the Hyundai Accent has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 23 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros User-friendly tech features Roomy seats Decent handling
Cons Sluggish acceleration Ride quality drops over rough roads
Freshly overhauled last year, the 2019 Hyundai Accent sedan is roomier, safer and more fuel-efficient than before. It drives even sportier than it looks, thanks to a nicely calibrated suspension and an available manual transmission. We're not talking autobahn-ready performance here, but the Accent is surprisingly nimble, and it makes for a sensible and stylish subcompact choice.
Pros Comfortable ride and impressively quiet cabin Spacious interior with solid, rattle-free build quality Long warranty coverage provides peace of mind Excellent real-world fuel economy
Cons Enhanced safety aids only available on top trim level USB port struggles to charge a phone Cloth seats are uncomfortable and trap heat Lacks onboard navigation but connects to smartphone nav apps
