Cheapest new car? 2025 Nissan Versa returns for $18,330

Just when we thought the era of new cars costing less than $20,000 had ended, Nissan announces its carrying over the Versa subcompact sedan for at least one more model year. 

The 2025 Nissan Versa still rolls with a pokey 122-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The base S costs $18,330, including a $1,140 destination fee. Most shoppers will upgrade to a continuously variable automatic transmission that brings the base S to $20,130. The CVT boosts fuel economy from 30 mpg to 35 mpg combined, so the extra cost of the CVT makes up for it with lower fuel costs during the life of the car. 

With the discontinuation of the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage, the Versa is the only new car that can be bought for less than $20,000. The next cheapest vehicle is the 2025 Chevy Trax crossover for $21,495. 

Nissan boosts its 3-year/36,000-mile warranty this year with three free oil changes within the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership. The 2025 Versa now comes with LED headlights. 

The 2025 Nissan Versa comes relatively well equipped with automatic emergency braking front and rear with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warnings, and automatic high beams. It rides on 15-inch steel wheels and has cloth seats, power windows and locks, cruise control, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen. An S Plus package upgrades the base model with popular features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a 60/40-split rear seat for $1,190.

The $21,630 Nissan Versa SV has those features plus automatic headlights, keyless start, a center console with armrests, satellite radio, and a wireless smartphone charger. 

The top-of-the-line Versa SR costs $22,330 and rolls on 17-inch wheels and sports blacked out trim pieces. It has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. 

The 2025 Nissan Versa is on sale now.