--- title: "Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage Sales Are Soaring in 2024" date: "2024-07-03" modified: "2024-07-03" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/mitsubishi-mirage-and-nissan-versa-sales-are-soaring-in-2024" categories: - "Mitsubishi News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "compact" - "Hatchback" - "Mirage" - "Mirage G4" - "Mitsubishi" - "Nissan" - "sedan" - "versa" --- # Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage Sales Are Soaring in 2024 ![Clos-ups of Mirage and Versa badges.]() *\Mitsubishi, Nissan, The Drive\* On average, new cars are more expensive than they've ever been, and consumers appear to be responding in predictable ways: by buying the cheapest models on the market. [Mitsubishi]() and [Nissan](), two-thirds of the [auto industry's strangest alliance](), reported their U.S. sales for the second quarter of 2024 on Tuesday, and both the Mirage and Versa are posting strong numbers. Especially the diminutive Mitsubishi, which is [up 85.5% year-to-date](), compared to the first half of 2023. In fact, in the second quarter of 2023, Mitsubishi shifted just 1,974 Mirages—that includes the hatchback as well as the G4 sedan. This go around, it's moved 4,859 of them over the same time span. The Mirage starts at $17,840 including destination for the five-door, though we're obliged to point out there's a trim that costs about $2,200 more and involves a [Ralliart]() appearance package. Is it actually faster? God no, but look at it. ![Rear three-quarter view of a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage Ralliart.]() *2024 Mitsubishi Mirage. Look at the mud flaps! *Mitsubishi Motors** And then there's the humble Nissan Versa. I actually drove one of these when the latest generation launched five years ago, and it's a totally serviceable car for the $17,820 it starts at. (Frankly, it's hard to imagine the Mirage being better, even if hatchbacks are my personal preference.) The Versa is [up 45.3% year-over-year]() for the second quarter. And if you compare calendar year-to-date numbers, Nissan has delivered 6,798 more of them through 2024 so far—17,812 units over the first half of '24, against 11,014 over the first half of '23. Naturally, we wondered how the Kia Rio's been doing, as it comprised the trio of cheap subcompacts in America, alongside the aforementioned mainstays, for years. But Kia discontinued the Rio after the 2023 model year, in anticipation of [the upcoming K4](). I happen to think [the K4 looks phenomenal](), but it's also new and decidedly upmarket compared to the ancient bargains that are the Mirage and Versa. It's hard to say if it'll remain competitive with them in price—especially the [highly compelling wagon variant](). ![]() *2024 Nissan Versa. *Nissan** That said, the K4 likely won't face the same competition the Rio did, as the writing's been on the wall for some time that the Mirage's days are numbered. Mitsubishi doesn't even sell it in its home market of Japan anymore, and rumor has it this will be [the last or, at best, second to last model year the Mirage gets](). Perhaps Mitsubishi is making a concerted effort to get these off lots as efficiently as possible. To that end, we have an idea, and we won't ask Mitsubishi for a dime: Ralliart decals on every hatch in stock. *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()