--- title: "The Last 5-Speed Manual in the US Is Gone as Nissan Discontinues Base Versa" date: "2025-05-29" modified: "2025-05-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-last-5-speed-manual-in-the-us-is-gone-as-nissan-discontinues-base-versa" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Compact Cars" - "Nissan" - "versa" --- # The Last 5-Speed Manual in the US Is Gone as Nissan Discontinues Base Versa ![2025 Nissan Versa S in white.]() *The Versa S only came in white, black, silver, and grey. \Nissan\* The $17,190 base-model Nissan [Versa]() S, the last U.S.-market production car with a five-speed manual, is ending production. According to *[Automotive News]()*, the manual Versa is the latest automotive tariff victim, as all Versas are built at Nissan's Aguascalientes, Mexico, plant and the base car is least popular. Looks like [Nissan]() is trying to create as much savings as possible to handle the 25% tariff on cars imported from Mexico. A Nissan spokesperson told *Auto News* that it's trimming the fat down to the models with the “strongest business performance.” *The Drive* reached out to Nissan for a comment, and we'll update this story if we get more details. When you go to Nissan's [site and check out the Versa](), the first thing you see under its name is "Get the Nissan you want free from new tariffs." So if Nissan is going to eat the additional tariff cost for customers, it can't be manufacturing cars that won't sell well. And manuals reportedly only accounted for 5% of Versa sales in 2024. ![Nissan Versa S manual transmission]() ![Nissan Versa S manual transmission]() As the manual Versa dies, it brings the five-speed manual transmission down with it. What was once a common drivetrain configuration is now a memory—when the last stick-shift Versa leaves a Nissan lot, there won't be any new five-speed manual vehicles for sale in the United States. Only six-speed and a few seven-speed manuals will remain. That isn't much of a surprise, given that six-speeds have been the norm for years. Nissan killed the five-speed manual in the last-generation Frontier pickup in 2020, Volkswagen killed off the entry-level five-speed manual Golf after the Mk7 ended in 2021, and [Mitsubishi dropped the Mirage's]() five-speed in 2023. Still, this feels like a minor moment in car culture. Killing the manual Versa won't be a big sales hit, since barely any customers wanted it, but it will end Nissan's ability to market a sub-$18,000 car. It's always a bummer to see a manual transmission die, since they're are so few of them left. But I'm not sure how many people will care about the ancient five-speed Versa's. It's like when Lexus ended SC430 production, which was the last car with a cassette player. When a technology is so far past its sell-by date, does it really matter that it's gone? If you happen to buy one of the last stick-shift Versas, or if you've got one already, drop us a line because we're curious to hear what they're like to drive. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()