Discontinued Mitsubishi Mirage leaves the Nissan Versa as the last cheap new car in America
The automotive landscape changes every year. Electric vehicles (EVs) emerge, old models persist, and some nameplates die. Unfortunately for new car shoppers with a sub-$20,000 budget, one of the few remaining cheap new car models in America is on its way out. That’s right; the Mitsubishi Mirage is hanging up its hat. That means the Nissan Versa will remain the sole cheap new car option under $20,000 in the United States.
The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback and G4 sedan die before 2025 leaving the Nissan Versa as the last cheap new car in America under $20,000
The Mitsubishi Mirage is dead. However, before we collectively exclaim “Long live the Mitsubishi Mirage,” the market still has a cheap new car option that starts below the $20,000 mark. It’s the Nissan Versa, the Japanese brand’s entry-level compact sedan.
Mitsubishi announced that the Mirage will leave the brand’s lineup before the 2025 model year. As a result, Mitsubishi’s lineup will consist of its gas-powered and hybrid SUVs, like the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid. Moreover, Mitsubishi cites low sales volume as the reason for the move.
For shoppers with a sub-$20,000 budget, the discontinuation of the Mirage for the American market leaves just one option: the Nissan Versa. The 2024 Kia Forte, one of the Versa’s closest price-point competitors, starts at around $4,500 more than the little Nissan sedan.
| Make and model | Starting price |
| 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage | $18,015 |
| 2025 Nissan Versa | $16,680 |
| 2024 Kia Forte | $21,145 |
Granted, it’s a miserable sight to see yet another budget-friendly mobility option leave the American market. However, we’re not going to miss it very much. The Mitsubishi Mirage made just 78 (yes, you read that right) horsepower from its 1.2L three-cylinder engine. It wasn’t just one of the cheapest cars in America. It was also the most underpowered car on the market. Of course, the Mirage’s anemic powerplant and light curb weight (around 2,084 lbs) mean commendable fuel economy. Drivers could expect around around 39 combined MPG.
Conversely, my time with the 2024 Nissan Versa SR confirmed my suspicions that cheap doesn’t have to mean boring. The Versa SR’s sport mode prioritized RPMs over top fuel economy for a joyful drive. While drivers will likely opt for the Versa for its budget-friendliness, it’s nice to know that the spirited drive still hasn’t died in the budget category.
