America's cheapest car has been axed

By BEN SHIMKUS, US CONSUMER REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

The lowest–priced new car in America is officially dead. Nissan has confirmed to the Daily Mail that the Versa sedan, the last new car available in the US with a base price under $20,000, has stopped rolling off assembly lines. It comes amid an affordability crisis sweeping America's automotive industry, where the average price for a new set of wheels has popped over $50,000. That surge has helped push total US auto loan debt to $1.66 trillion, up 20 percent since 2020, and larger than federal student loan debt or credit card debt.

The lowest–priced new car in America is officially dead. Nissan has confirmed to the Daily Mail that the Versa sedan, the last new car available in the US with a base price under $20,000, has stopped rolling off assembly lines. It comes amid an affordability crisis sweeping America's automotive industry, where the average price for a new set of wheels has popped over $50,000. That surge has helped push total US auto loan debt to $1.66 trillion, up 20 percent since 2020, and larger than federal student loan debt or credit card debt.

But as America's debt spirals into record–breaking delinquencies and repossessions, drivers are still opting for more expensive SUVs. That's led automakers like Nissan to drop the smaller, cheaper cars from their lineup. The Versa was Nissan's tiniest car. It was a popular option for rental fleets and among the lowest–priced on Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis lots. The sedan featured a small four–cylinder engine that car reviewers thought was too slow –– it took over nine seconds to jump from standing to 60 mph highway speeds.

But as America's debt spirals into record–breaking delinquencies and repossessions, drivers are still opting for more expensive SUVs. That's led automakers like Nissan to drop the smaller, cheaper cars from their lineup. The Versa was Nissan's tiniest car. It was a popular option for rental fleets and among the lowest–priced on Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis lots. The sedan featured a small four–cylinder engine that car reviewers thought was too slow –– it took over nine seconds to jump from standing to 60 mph highway speeds.

Inside, it had a basic interior. Seats were cloth, and the dash had a seven–inch touchscreen that supported wireless phone mirroring systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But that mix of low prices and modest features wasn't bringing as many customers to Nissan dealerships as it had in the past. US sales peaked in 2016, when more than 16,000 customers drove new Versas home each month. This year, Nissan is selling an average of 4,600 per month.

Inside, it had a basic interior. Seats were cloth, and the dash had a seven–inch touchscreen that supported wireless phone mirroring systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But that mix of low prices and modest features wasn't bringing as many customers to Nissan dealerships as it had in the past. US sales peaked in 2016, when more than 16,000 customers drove new Versas home each month. This year, Nissan is selling an average of 4,600 per month.

'In line with Nissan's product strategy, the Nissan Versa ended production in December 2025 for the US market,' a spokesperson for the automaker told the Daily Mail. 'Nissan remains committed to offering affordable and stylish vehicles in the sedan segment with models like Sentra and Altima, while also offering strong value in the compact SUV segment with the Kicks.' The Japanese automaker still has two of America's lowest–cost vehicles sitting on dealership lots for 2026.

'In line with Nissan's product strategy, the Nissan Versa ended production in December 2025 for the US market,' a spokesperson for the automaker told the Daily Mail. 'Nissan remains committed to offering affordable and stylish vehicles in the sedan segment with models like Sentra and Altima, while also offering strong value in the compact SUV segment with the Kicks.' The Japanese automaker still has two of America's lowest–cost vehicles sitting on dealership lots for 2026.

Now, Nissan's Sentra sedan, with a base price of $24,000, and Kicks SUV, starting at $23,000, will be among the cheapest cars on the US market. The only other cars on the US market with a sub–$25,000 starting price are the Kia K4 sedan, Hyundai Venue SUV, and Chevy Trax SUV. 'The industry is already staring down an affordability problem,' Erin Keating, an analyst at Cox Automotive, previously told the Daily Mail. 'Affordable new vehicles are already few and far between. There were only 27 vehicles available with prices starting below $30,000 in 2025.'

Now, Nissan's Sentra sedan, with a base price of $24,000, and Kicks SUV, starting at $23,000, will be among the cheapest cars on the US market. The only other cars on the US market with a sub–$25,000 starting price are the Kia K4 sedan, Hyundai Venue SUV, and Chevy Trax SUV. 'The industry is already staring down an affordability problem,' Erin Keating, an analyst at Cox Automotive, previously told the Daily Mail. 'Affordable new vehicles are already few and far between. There were only 27 vehicles available with prices starting below $30,000 in 2025.'

Part of the affordability problem in the US has been the list of cars that have headed for the cemetery. Mitsubishi killed the Mirage, America's cheapest car before the Sentra, at the end of 2024. Ford discontinued its two small cars — the Focus in 2018 and the Fusion in 2020. Only the high–powered Mustang remains amid a lineupof all SUVs and trucks. Chevy also nixed the Malibu and Camaro in 2024. Subaru axed the Legacy the same year. Now, only Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia offer sub–$30,000 sedans in the US.

Part of the affordability problem in the US has been the list of cars that have headed for the cemetery. Mitsubishi killed the Mirage, America's cheapest car before the Sentra, at the end of 2024. Ford discontinued its two small cars — the Focus in 2018 and the Fusion in 2020. Only the high–powered Mustang remains amid a lineupof all SUVs and trucks. Chevy also nixed the Malibu and Camaro in 2024. Subaru axed the Legacy the same year. Now, only Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia offer sub–$30,000 sedans in the US.

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