For the 2025 model year, the Nissan Versa stands as the only new car in the U.S. with a starting MSRP below $20,000—in fact, at $18,330 including destination fees, it undercuts all other new vehicles The Sun+15Kbb.com+15MotorTrend+15Edmunds+1SlashGear+1.
Trim-level breakdown:
| Trim | Transmission | MSRP (incl. destination) |
|---|---|---|
| S (manual) | 5-speed manual | $18,330 The Sun+11Cars.com+11Wikipedia+11 |
| S (CVT) | Continuously variable | $20,130 |
| SV (CVT) | Continuously variable | $21,630 |
| SR (CVT) | Continuously variable | $22,330 |
🔍 Why It’s the Cheapest
- No sub‑$20K competitors: With the Mitsubishi Mirage phased out post‑2024, the Versa is the sole remaining new car under that price point Car and Driver.
- Strategic value: Nissan kept pricing competitive despite slight increases—adding practical features like LED headlights and prepaid maintenance TopSpeed+9Carscoops+9MotorTrend+9.
✨ Feature Snapshot
- LED headlights now standard on S and SV trims
- Three free oil changes in the first two years / 24,000 miles as part of Nissan’s Maintenance Care program SlashGear+9Kbb.com+9Carscoops+9
- Safety Shield 360 includes AEB (front & rear, with pedestrian detection), lane departure warning, automatic high beams Cars.com+1SlashGear+1
- Infotainment: 7″ touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; SR trim includes an 8″ screen, heated seats, adaptive cruise, and more AP News+15Cars.com+15Carscoops+15
⚙️ Power & Efficiency
- Powered by a 1.6‑liter naturally aspirated 4‑cylinder delivering 122 hp / 114 lb‑ft torque Reddit+6Cars.com+6Edmunds+6.
- EPA estimates:
- Manual: 27 city / 35 hwy / 30 combined mpg
- CVT: 32 city / 40 hwy / 35 combined mpg SlashGear+15Cars.com+15TopSpeed+15
- CVT variant achieves up to ~378 miles per tank Kbb.com+3Motor1.com+3Nissan USA+3
đź‘Ť Pros & đź‘Ž Cons
Pros
- Unmatched price: The only remaining sub‑$20K new car MotorTrend+3Kbb.com+3Car and Driver+3.
- Comprehensive safety: Full suite of driver assists standard.
- Manual transmission available—rare in new cars.
- Excellent value for features: infotainment, LED lights, free maintenance SlashGearRedditCar and Driver.
Reddit owner feedback:
“Still amazed I was able to buy a brand new car for 17k…This will likely be the last new car with a manual I can buy.” RedditSlashGear
Cons
- Entry-level manual discontinued: Nissan has axed the $18,330 manual S trim, meaning the cheapest model now costs over $21K (CVT-only) Edmunds+11The Sun+11MotorTrend+11.
- Mild performance: 122 hp isn’t brisk—sluggish in everyday driving.
- CVT concerns: Historically, Nissan’s CVTs have reliability issues; maintenance (filter/fluid changes) helps, but risk remains Reddit+1Reddit+1.
- Basic interiors: Cheap materials, modest ride comfort—adequate but unrefined.
🕰️ Looking Ahead
- Manual trim discontinued: June 2025 saw Nissan drop the base manual model due to low demand and tariffs—a significant shift as this was the last manual passenger car in the U.S. Car and Driver+4Reddit+4The Sun+4.
- CVT-only line-up: The entry point rises to ~$21,130—still the cheapest sedan available, but no longer under $20K MotorTrend.
- Potential phase-out: Production could cease by April 2026 amid market consolidation The Sun+1AP News+1.
🧠Verdict
The Nissan Versa earns its title as the most affordable new car in the U.S., delivering essential features, safety tech, decent fuel efficiency, and the rare option of a manual gearbox.
If sticking under $20K was your aim—unfortunately, that era has ended. But for buyers needing a reliable, feature-rich sedan around $21K, the CVT-equipped Versa remains the best value on offer.
