The five-speed guide formally exits manufacturing
A brand new report states that Nissan has axed its five-speed guide transmission-equipped Versa—a mannequin the automaker has bought since 2006. A 2025 Nissan Versa begins at $17,190 for the guide base S trim, and a mixture of tariff impacts and issue retaining the automobile worthwhile led to its downfall, based on an Automotive Information report. Nissan has since confirmed the top of the mannequin, which is 2025’s most inexpensive new automobile, however it is going to proceed producing different Versa trims with higher enterprise efficiency. Fewer than 5% of the 42,589 Versas bought in 2024 had a five-speed guide configuration.
The Versa is one in all three autos that Nissan manufactures in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and sells in America alongside the automaker’s Sentra and Kicks. Mixed, the three fashions represented almost a 3rd of Nissan’s U.S. quantity in 2024. The discontinued Nissan Versa was the final new five-speed manual-equipped automobile obtainable on the U.S. market. “We stay dedicated to providing a line-up that solutions the evolving wants of consumers and maintains Nissan’s aggressive edge. We’re specializing in the most well-liked Versa grades that ship the strongest enterprise efficiency and are in step with what clients are in search of from the sort of sedan,” Nissan stated, based on Motor1.
The impression of tariffs on the Versa’s low MSRP
President Trump’s 25% tariffs on auto imports from international locations like Mexico would add round $4,500 to the inexpensive mannequin’s beginning value, additional decreasing its enchantment. After a $1,140 transportation charge, the 2025 five-speed guide Versa begins at $18,330, whereas its CVT counterpart is bought from $20,130. A top-spec Nissan Versa SR begins at $21,190, not together with its supply charge. Whereas the bottom Versa falls quick in areas like energy, its gas effectivity, giant cargo area, and stable quantity of normal options helped improve its worth.
A base guide Versa has 15-inch wheels with hubcaps, fabric seat trim, 30 mixed MPG, and 122 horsepower through a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. You’ll get a 7-inch infotainment show and automated emergency pedestrian braking, however guide Versas don’t include the upper trims’ 7-inch LCD instrument cluster. The FWD guide Versa grew to become the U.S.’s most inexpensive new automobile after Mitsubishi retired its subcompact Mirage after the 2024 manufacturing 12 months. The 2024 Mirage began at about $16,695 for the ES hatchback, whereas the Mirage G4 sedan was priced from $17,795.
Remaining guide choices price effectively above the Versa’s value level
Drivers will now should spend over $30,000 normally to get a brand new automobile with a guide transmission. The Ford Bronco and Mustang, the Honda Civic Si, Sort R, and Elantra N, the Jeep Wrangler, the Mazda Miata and three, the Toyota GR Corolla, and others stay the few new guide vehicles in the marketplace.
Ultimate ideas
Whereas it’s unlucky to see the U.S.’s final new sub-$20,000 automobile disappear, the transfer gained’t considerably impression drivers given the guide Versa’s low gross sales quantity. Nissan additionally instructed Autoblog that it’s “contemplating all potentialities to get better its enterprise efficiency,” so axing a low-demand, tariff-impacted mannequin appears to be the proper resolution amid the corporate’s current monetary troubles.
