Inside, both cabins illustrate what creative minds can do with budget materials.
While neither are bound to win any accolades for luxury or quality, there’s no law saying that economical has to mean “depressingly ugly”.
But the Versa manages to inject a little more fun-to-funky in the layout and use of materials. “It is also equipped with a set of door handles that look sensational – seriously, these are sexy little door handle units,” noted Editor Black. While both cars feature predominantly inexpensive plastics and cloth upholstery, the Versa Note throws in some contrasting seat panels, silver trim and a pale headliner that increases the open and airy roominess of the cabin.
  2014 Nissan Versa Note & 2013 Hyundai Accent. Click image to enlarge |
The Accent however, has a nice, leather-wrapped steering wheel that feels much better in the hands than the rubbery plastic helm of the Versa. While it might not boast the overhead space of the Nissan, the Accent GLS has a standard sunroof that prevents the dark cabin from seeming confining.
The Accent features cruise control and Bluetooth. It doesn’t have, nor does it offer a navigation system, though – a serious drawback these days in any segment.
One of the Versa Note’s biggest selling points is its surprising list of technology features from the 5.8-inch touchscreen: navigation, 360-degree “Around View Monitor” back-up camera, Bluetooth, and in some markets, Google send-to-car-maps, traffic and weather info, XM satellite radio, hands-free text messaging, in addition to more mundane features like push-button start and heated seats.
  2014 Nissan Versa Note & 2013 Hyundai Accent. Click image to enlarge |
Both cars offered equal room up front. But move to the back, and the Versa is more accommodating with 965 mm of legroom vs the Accent’s 840.
Pop the rear hatch and the Versa Note has a compact trunk space, whereas the Accent’s is such a voluminous space – I figured I could easily stretch out in it – and did just that.
Both sets of rear seats fold flat, but where the Accent has an overall cargo space of 1,345 L, the Versa Note’s overall capacity is 1,500. That’s a lot of groceries.
    2014 Nissan Versa Note & 2013 Hyundai Accent. Click image to enlarge |
Jacob spent a good 20 minutes muttering and cursing while gauging the child seat installation effort, finally concluding that “I found it much easier to install my child seat in the Versa Note than the Accent. This is despite the silly, silly placement of the LATCH clips in the Nissan – they are right between the seatbelt clips, which makes it hard to navigate with the LATCH clips on the child seat. I found I was hunched over and banging my back on the door frame of the Accent – no such drama in the Versa Note.”
Personally – I’m grateful I have cats.
