When Nissan announced it would be discontinuing the Versa subcompact sedan in the U.S. late in 2025, it also marked the departure of the cheapest vehicle in the country. The Versa was the last new car you could purchase for under $20,000; at $17,390 for the base model, it was terrific value for money. Now, Nissan has begun production of the new 2026 Versa in Mexico, where it’s the best-selling vehicle. This gives us our first clear look at the fresh Versa sedan after the design was leaked last year.
Murano-Inspired Design
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The outgoing Nissan Versa was quite a stylish sedan despite its bargain pricing, especially the upper trims with larger wheels and more aggressive trim. The new one is a little more controversial, with a front fascia that resembles the one on the new Murano SUV. The front lighting is split by a narrow, body-color strip atop the grille. The model seen here is finished in a bold blue color with lots of contrasting black trim, including the mirrors.
The short trunk leads down to new taillights linked by a black panel bearing the Versa name. A slightly awkward expanse of sheetmetal sits between this and the low-mounted license plate. It’s a more challenging look than the outgoing model, but opinions on the new look will vary.
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This 2026 Nissan Versa has now gone into production in Mexico, where it’s immensely popular; over a million units of the Versa have already been sold there across the first two generations.
“We are not only celebrating a new chapter in the history of one of our most iconic models, but we are also reaffirming the strength, relevance, and solidity of our manufacturing operation in Mexico,” said Rodrigo Centeno, President and CEO of Nissan Mexicana and Infiniti.
Related: Nissan Ends Production of U.S.’s Most Affordable New Car Over Tariffs, Low Sales
Will The Versa Return To The U.S.?
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There’s no indication that the new Nissan Versa will be sold in the United States, despite the fact that over 51,000 examples of the sedan were sold in 2025—an increase of 20.5% over 2024’s sales. The all-new Nissan Sentra was launched a few months ago and has a high-value starting price of $22,600, so Nissan still has one of the cheapest sedans in the country.
Interestingly, Nissan has also cancelled plans for a cheaper version of the Leaf EV, which was expected to have a price point of under $26,000.
Despite these decisions, Nissan remains strongly positioned in the budget-car segment, with multiple models well below the average price of a new car. The all-new Kicks crossover starts at $22,430, the Leaf is still one of the most affordable EVs at under $30,000, and the Altima is one of the cheapest midsize sedans at $27,580.
For now, though, Americans looking for a budget sedan from Nissan will have to settle for the Sentra or a used Versa.
