Nissan Ends Production of the Versa, Leaving No Sub-$20K Car in Its U.S. Lineup
With the entry-level Versa gone, Nissan’s most affordable new vehicles now start above $23,000.

Nissan has officially discontinued the Versa, its long-running and most affordable sedan, marking the end of an era for one of America’s last sub-$20,000 new cars. The company confirmed that production of the 2025 Versa ended this month at its Aguascalientes, Mexico, assembly plant and that the model will not return for the 2026 model year.

The Versa’s exit leaves a conspicuous gap in Nissan’s lineup at the budget end of the market — one the automaker insists will be filled by other models, though at a notably higher price point. Prior to being phased out, the 2025 Versa carried a starting price of $18,585 including destination, making it the lowest-priced new car available in the U.S. Its top SR trim reached $22,585.

A Gradual Phase-Out

Nissan’s decision isn’t entirely unexpected. Earlier this year, the automaker quietly discontinued the base manual-transmission Versa due to slow demand and tightening cost pressures, including tariffs on Mexican-built imports. The remaining automatic models held on through 2025, serving as a value-oriented alternative in a shrinking small-sedan segment that’s been steadily losing ground to crossovers. With production ceasing in December, the brand effectively closes the book on the most affordable new car in its portfolio.

In a statement provided to Car and Driver, Nissan said the move aligns with its current product direction:

“In line with Nissan’s product strategy, the Nissan Versa ended production in December 2025 for the U.S. market. Nissan remains committed to offering affordable and stylish vehicles in the sedan segment with models like Sentra and Altima, while also offering strong value in the compact SUV segment with the Kicks.”

What Replaces It

For buyers who once looked to the Versa as a gateway to new-car ownership, the options now shift upward. The new pricing floor for Nissan’s passenger vehicles begins with the Kicks Play and Kicks, both starting around $23,000, followed closely by the Sentra, which opens at $23,845. That means Nissan no longer sells a new car under $20,000, putting it in line with the broader industry trend where inexpensive small sedans have largely disappeared in favor of crossovers.

The Kicks is expected to become the de facto entry point for cost-conscious Nissan customers, bridging the gap with better space and mild SUV practicality. However, even that entry is under review, as speculation continues about lineup consolidation heading into the 2026 model year.

Broader Market Context

The Versa’s disappearance underscores a broader shift in buyer priorities and automaker strategies. Subcompact sedans have steadily lost favor in North America as consumers migrate toward higher-margin compact SUVs, even if those vehicles come at a price premium. Manufacturers also face rising production and compliance costs, which make low-margin entry cars increasingly difficult to justify.

Compared with the Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Spark—both of which exited the market earlier—Nissan had held on longer, positioning the Versa as one of the few remaining options for buyers seeking a no-frills new car at an accessible price. With its departure, the segment is effectively closed.

What It Means for Nissan

For Nissan, known historically for offering one of the broadest ranges of affordable cars, the move tightens its focus toward slightly more profitable models such as the Sentra sedan and Kicks SUV. The absence of a true budget vehicle could challenge the automaker’s reach among first-time buyers, small fleets, and rideshare operators that once favored the Versa for its simplicity and efficiency.

Still, the company’s leadership appears confident that the current lineup better reflects evolving buyer trends. Whether that confidence holds in a market still sensitive to monthly payments remains to be seen.

With no successor or specific replacement announced, the Versa’s departure quietly closes out a chapter of Nissan’s U.S. history — one where affordability was once a defining feature, but now looks more like a fading memory of another automotive era.

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