- Nissan recently retired the Versa from the United States.
- The next-generation model has gone into production in Mexico.
- The Versa 2027 will likely only be sold in Latin America.
Nissan built the last Versa for the United States in December 2025, but the company’s smallest sedan lives on in other regions. The next-generation model is making an unceremonious official debut in Mexico, where the car is already rolling off the assembly line at the Aguascalientes A1 factory.
It will likely only be sold in Latin America, leaving the new Sentra as the entry-level sedan in the US. Nissan plans to keep the aging Altima until the summer of 2027, at which point the Sentra will become the sole remaining sedan in the company’s North American lineup. In countries such as Brazil and Mexico, the new Versa will serve as an entry-level sedan, now with a fresh look.
Before Nissan properly unveils the next-generation Versa, these front-end images will have to suffice. It has a surprisingly busy front fascia, with a three-tier configuration and split headlights. We prefer the design of its predecessor, but to each his own. While the rear design isn’t seen in the official images, it was inadvertently revealed during a photo shoot in late 2025. Expect an evolutionary look for the taillights, a flanking black plastic trim on the trunk lid, complete with prominent Versa lettering.
Photos by: Nissan
It’s fair to assume that the 2027 Versa won’t be all that new, considering its profile looks pretty much unchanged. The 17-inch wheels are new, but the doors and greenhouse seem to have been carried over from the previous generation, which debuted in 2019 and was facelifted four years later. While the interior remains a mystery, it could share more than a few elements with the new subcompact Kait crossover.
Nissan does not want to say what is hidden under the hood. The Kait for Latin America keeps it simple with a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine paired with a continuously variable transmission. The four-cylinder produces a modest 113 hp and 149 Nm of torque, which is sent exclusively to the front wheels via the CVT, as no manual transmission is offered in the small crossover. That could indicate that the sedan will also forego a manual transmission, although nothing has been confirmed at this time.
Taking Motor1s: While the exterior styling is (subjectively) a step backwards, we’re glad to see Nissan’s commitment to keeping the Versa alive for another generation. If only the company would change its mind and bring it back to the US, where the sub-$20,000 car effectively died when the old Versa was discontinued.
There will always be a need for affordable cars, especially as the average transaction price paid for a new car reached a record $50,326 in December 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book. The same study found that the average MSRP also reached an all-time high at $52,627. At least the Sentra remains reasonably priced, starting at $23,645, including destination charges.
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