The cheapest new car in America may undercut its closest rival by over $3,000
Tragically, the cheapest new car in America is part of a diminishing segment. It’s the 2024 Nissan Versa, the brand’s entry-level nameplate. And for 2025, it will likely be the only new car under $20,000. Moreover, the gulf will grow next year with the departure of the Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4 sedan. Consequently, for 2025, the Versa may save car buyers over $3,000 compared to its closest rival.
The Nissan Versa will likely be the cheapest new car in America by a considerable margin
The 2024 Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car on the market with a starting price of around $17,820 for the entry-level S trim. That said, the range-topping Versa SR pushes the model’s starting price to around $21,830. However, that sub-$20,000 starting price puts the Versa in a thinly populated space.
The Nissan Versa and the Mitsubishi Mirage are the only two new cars with starting prices below the $20,000 mark. However, Mitsubishi recently announced that the Mirage hatchback and G4 sedan are heading out of production and that there would be no 2025 model. As a result, the Versa may undercut its closest post-Mirage competition, the 2024 Kia Forte, by over $3,000
| Make and model | Starting price |
| 2024 Nissan Versa | $17,820 |
| 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage | $18,015 |
| 2024 Kia Forte | $21,145 |
| 2024 Hyundai Venue | $21,295 |
Still, the Forte isn’t long for the industry, either. Kia announced that the Forte’s replacement, the stylish K4 will hit the streets as a 2025 model. And with a likely starting price of around $23,145, the K4 will be considerably pricier than the Versa.
However, it’s also likely that Nissan will discontinue the cheapest new car on the market after the 2025 model year. Barring some budget-friendly replacement from the Japanese brand or a competitor, it could mark the end of the sub-$20,000 car in the United States.
