--- title: "So Long, Nissan Versa: America’s Cheapest New Car Is Dead" date: "2025-12-23" modified: "2025-12-23" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/so-long-nissan-versa-americas-cheapest-new-car-is-dead" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Nissan Versa" - "sedan" --- # So Long, Nissan Versa: America’s Cheapest New Car Is Dead ![2025 Nissan Versa Scarlet Ember Tintcoat]() *Nissan* One of the industry's most recognizable economy cars will no longer be sold in America. Whether you frequent the local rental counter or simply have a fetish for affordable transportation, you're no stranger to the subcompact [Nissan Versa](). Well, friend, it's time to start saying your good-byes. Previously available as a hatchback but now sold exclusively as a sedan, the Versa is now transitioning to phase three for 2026: [deadsies](). "In line with Nissan's product strategy, the Nissan Versa ended production in December 2025 for the U.S. market," Nissan Senior Product Communications Manager Josh Clifton told *The Drive*. "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." I'm not sure "fondness" is the word I'd use to describe my feelings toward Nissan's subcompact. To me, it's most noteworthy as the last car I reviewed as an employee of my first for-real automotive outlet. It's also the car my now-wife and I rented to do Spring Mountain incognito after I bought my Blackwing. The wheezy little sedan got us from Vegas to Pahrump and back without drawing any unwanted attention, but to praise a Versa for its anonymity is akin to praising water for getting things wet. With the [Versa]() out of the market, it appears that the 2026 "cheapest car" nod will go to the [Kia K4 at $23,385](), but with automakers still finalizing their pricing, that could change. Most notably, [Nissan's own Sentra]() costs about $500 more. *Got a news tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()