Nissan confirmed that the production of Versa for the US ended in December as part of a product strategy update. The brand states that it continues to focus on "affordable" sedans Sentra and Altima, as well as compact crossovers, primarily Kicks. However, this is already a different price level.
Versa started at $17,390. After its discontinuation and the earlier disappearance of the Mitsubishi Mirage, the budget new car segment has essentially ceased to exist.
Now the cheapest Nissan is the Kicks Play at $22,910, and the "entry" into sedans starts with the Sentra at $23,845. The new Kicks is even more expensive—from $23,925. Overall, the market situation is no better: the cheapest new car in the US today is the Hyundai Venue 2026 at $22,150, and the most affordable sedan is the Kia K4 at $23,385.
Importantly, Versa is not disappearing globally. The next-generation model is already presented for Latin American markets, where cheap sedans are still in demand.
The key reason is the economy. Versa is manufactured in Mexico, and import duties would make its price too high for the budget segment.
Source: The Drive