Latest news with #NissanVersaS
The Drive
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
The Last 5-Speed Manual in the US Is Gone as Nissan Discontinues Base Versa
The latest car news, reviews, and features. 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 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@
ArabGT
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Two of the Least Expensive Cars You Can Still Buy in the USA
For buyers looking for the least expensive cars still available in the U.S., two options stand out—the Mitsubishi Mirage ES and the Nissan Versa S. However, these budget-friendly models won't be around much longer. The 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage, despite being discontinued, remains on dealership lots and is still available with a full factory warranty. Meanwhile, the 2025 Nissan Versa S continues to be one of the few new cars offering a manual transmission. Both models provide impressive fuel economy and come well-equipped without exceeding the $20,000 price point. Despite their affordability, these compact vehicles offer a range of modern safety features. The Mirage includes active stability control, lane departure warning, forward collision mitigation, and seven airbags. The Versa matches these features while adding Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite, providing even more driver assistance technology. Although some criticize them for their modest power output and basic amenities, these cars far outperform the economy models of the past. They prove that even the least expensive cars on the market today can still offer reliability, efficiency, and essential features at a fraction of the cost of most new cars. The Two Least Expensive Cars in America Mitsubishi Mirage With 2024 marking the final production year of the Mitsubishi Mirage in the U.S., this model is approaching the end of its run. However, it remains available for purchase and continues to be one of the least expensive cars available in the US market. The base ES hatchback starts at $16,695, while those opting for the G4 sedan variant will need to pay around $900 more. A key difference from past models is the removal of the five-speed manual transmission, which was discontinued after the 2023 model year. Weighing just over 2,000 pounds, the Mirage is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, generating 74 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritizes efficiency over performance. Although the manual transmission previously offered a slightly sportier drive, the CVT maximizes fuel efficiency, delivering EPA-rated 36 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined—the highest non-hybrid fuel economy available. Buyers also benefit from an exceptional 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, adding to its long-term value. Inside, the Mirage includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. However, the four-speaker audio system provides only a basic listening experience. Nissan Versa S The 2025 Nissan Versa S has a starting price of $17,190, slightly higher than the Mirage. However, it offers better performance, more interior space, and a more refined feel. While the Mirage maintains the advantage in fuel efficiency and cargo space, the Versa stands out with its superior power and driving dynamics. With a curb weight between 2,600 and 2,700 pounds, the Versa offsets the added bulk with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. While most Versa models come with a CVT, buyers can still opt for the five-speed manual transmission for a more engaging drive. Fuel economy figures for the CVT-equipped version stand at 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, while the manual version achieves 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. In terms of infotainment, the standard 7-inch touchscreen includes Bluetooth connectivity, but higher trims offer an 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Mirage provides these features as standard, the Versa offers a more upscale interior, making it feel more premium than its rival. Why These Cars Are Still Worth Considering As vehicle prices continue to rise, these two models remain among the least expensive cars for new car buyers. While alternatives exist, they often come at significantly higher price points. With the average cost of a new vehicle in the U.S. now exceeding $47,000, both the Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa S are priced at less than half of that amount. For buyers willing to forego unnecessary luxury features and high-performance capabilities, these cars offer a practical and cost-effective solution, making them two of the best least expensive cars available today.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mitsubishi vs Nissan - the two least expensive vehicles you can still buy in the USA
Yes, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is still on dealership lots and can be ordered as a new car with a new warranty. Additionally, the Nissan Versa S is one of the few cars still available with a manual transmission. Both vehicles get outstanding fuel mileage and can be well equipped for under $20,000. Despite their diminutive size and prices, both vehicles come with impressive safety systems. The Mirage comes with active stability control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and 7 airbags. The Nissan Versa S has all these features and more with the addition of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. Some kick around both vehicles for their lack of power, amenities, or lack of presence; however, they are far better than the econoboxes of the past. You might be surprised what you get for the is the last year of the Mitsubishi Mirage in the United States. For years, it held the title of one of the least expensive cars available and one of the most frugal. While 2024 was its last model year, you can still order it new, and there are quite a few on dealership lots. The base model ES that I'm spotlighting is a hatchback, but for about $900 more, a four-door G4 sedan is available too. One thing that is no longer available is the optional five-speed manual transmission, which was discontinued for the 2023 model year. Fortunately, there are a lot of surprising amenities you get with the little Mirage that impressed me. Weighing in at just over 2,000 lbs, this little guy has a tiny 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that makes a mighty 74 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission available is a noisy continuously variable transmission (CVT). Earlier, I lamented the passing of the five-speed manual transmission as it made for slightly sportier driving. Still, the CVT is remarkably efficient, with EPA estimates of 36 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined. That is the best non-hybrid-assisted mpg out there. It also has a remarkably long powertrain warranty of 10 years/100,000 miles. The Mitsubishi Mirage has a 7-inch touchscreen display, or "Smartphone-Link Display Audio System," that comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It works fairly well, but the four-speaker sound is a bit if you added some extra dough and bought the fast-looking Ralliart, you're still driving one of the slowest cars in the United States. Not to mention that the CVT makes a ton of racket until you get up to speed. In city traffic, it's a snap to drive and park, but it wallows a bit on highways. Seating comfort is acceptable up front, but back seat space is a bit of a compromise for adults. There are three seatbelts back there, but I'd only recommend it for smaller people. Given its hatchback design, it's fairly utilitarian, with 17.1 cu-ft of space behind the back seats and 47 cu-ft of cargo space with the back seats folded. Not too shabby, as long as you keep the overall weight around 900 lbs. It's easy to pick the Mirage apart for its pokey performance, but it is a very easy car to commute in. It wouldn't be my first choice for cross-country trips, it still has viability as a proper city car. While the base model Versa is about $500 more than the equivalent Mirage, it is vastly superior in almost every measurable way. The only categories the Mirage outguns the Versa are cargo space and economy. The Versa gets 32 mpg city and 40 mpg highway when equipped with the CVT. If you get the five-speed manual, you get 27 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The Nissan Versa weighs between approximately 2,600 and 2,700 lbs, but that extra weight is offset by the superior horsepower. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The CVT is the main transmission on most of the Versa models, but there is still a five-speed manual transmission available. The standard 7-inch screen comes with Bluetooth and little else. The larger 8-inch screen, available in high trims, offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Mitsubishi has more standard infotainment goodies, the Nissan feels more kind of night and day between the Mirage and Versa. The Nissan Versa is far more refined, powerful, and responsive. It's like going from a Volkswagen Jetta to an Audi A6 - there are some similarities, but they're worlds apart. If you're willing to sacrifice amenities, mpg, and exterior upgrades, the Versa S 5-speed has an old-school feel to it, and it forgoes the dreaded CVT. Even with the CVT, power and overall performance are quite good. It doesn't feel like a cheap car, and the overall interior isolation and comfort is impressive. The materials used also feel more substantial than the Mirage; just don't expect any expensive or fancy full-grain leather here. The trunk holds between 14.7 to 15 cu-ft of cargo depending on the trim, which is on par for larger sedans. While not as pug-like-adorable as the Mirage, the new Versa is far more attractive than the older Versa sedans. It's more like a smaller Altima if of right now, these are the two least expensive cars you can buy in the United States. Sure, other choices, which are only slightly more expensive, could be better, but that's not the point. Last year, the average new car purchase price in the United States was $47,338. These cars are less than half of that. If you're willing to dispense with fancy gimmicks, SUV-like size, and higher performance, you could save a bundle by picking either one of these two. Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
