The popularity of manual transmissions has been steadily declining over the years, and now car buyers in the U.S. will have one less option to choose from. Nissan has reportedly discontinued the production of the manual transmission version of its entry-level Versa sedan, effectively removing the most affordable car in America from the market in its manual form. This decision also marks the end of the last five-speed manual transmission vehicle available for sale in the United States.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the production of the manual-equipped Versa has stopped at Nissan’s factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico. While the company initially didn’t make an official announcement, a spokesperson later confirmed to the press that production of the Versa S with the manual transmission has ceased. However, the rest of the Versa lineup, which includes models equipped with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), will continue to be manufactured and sold as usual.
The five-speed manual was only offered on the base Versa S trim, which was priced at $18,330 for the 2025 model year (including the $1,140 destination fee). With this variant now discontinued, the cheapest Versa available is the S trim with a CVT, which comes in at $20,130. This price shift slightly raises the floor for those looking to purchase the most economical new car in the U.S. market.
Interestingly, despite the recent surge in demand for budget-friendly vehicles—driven in part by persistently high new car prices and concerns over possible import tariffs—the manual version of the Versa never accounted for a significant share of sales. In fact, it represented less than five percent of total Versa sales. Nevertheless, the model itself saw a massive resurgence in popularity during early 2025, with sales rising by an impressive 156 percent in the first quarter alone. Other affordable models in Nissan’s lineup, such as the Sentra, Altima, and Kicks, also experienced significant growth, suggesting strong consumer interest in lower-priced options.
There is growing speculation that Nissan may be planning to discontinue the Versa altogether after the 2025 model year. Rumors suggest it could be replaced by an all-electric compact sedan, although no concrete details have been confirmed. These whispers initially emerged when Versa sales were stagnant, but the recent uptick may cause the automaker to reconsider.
While the exit of the Versa’s manual variant closes the chapter on five-speed offerings in the U.S., drivers interested in shifting gears manually still have access to several models with six-speed transmissions. The era of affordable manuals may be fading, but it's not quite over yet.