Don't Buy A 2025 Nissan Versa For $18,330, Do This Instead!

The Nissan Versa is the cheapest new car you can buy in 2025.

In the United States, the humble sedan starts at $18,330 with a manual transmission. In Canada, the Versa’s base price rises to $23,501 including all fees and levies, and it’s also equipped with a continuously variable transmission as standard equipment. A top-shelf Versa SR is a few thousand bucks pricier, but it benefits from LED headlights, a better touchscreen infotainment system, and even a modicum of exterior flourish with upgraded wheels and a rear spoiler.

There’s nothing at all wrong with the Nissan Versa. Compared to its competition—though there’s actually zero competitors in 2025 for less than $20,000 since the Mitsubishi Mirage and Kia Rio went extinct following the 2024 model year—it’s pretty roomy and offers a comfortable ride.

It’s a sensible choice for someone who really wants to buy a new car. But it’s not exactly what we’d call desirable.

Fret not, frugal car shoppers. Extending your scope into the pre-owned realm will reward you with several much more interesting options for your hard-earned money. We’re not going to create an exhaustive list of every alternative to a new Nissan Versa. Instead, we’d like to present a few alternatives that may entice some buyers who otherwise wouldn’t know where to look.

We’ve limited our picks to cars sold within the last few years and with no more than the average of 12,000 miles per year on their odometers.

Option 1: Toyota Corolla Hybrid

The Toyota Corolla is an obvious choice for anyone who values reliability and efficiency. Toyota’s stalwart compact is one size larger than the subcompact Versa, but it’s no less stingy when it comes to its ability to sip fuel. In fact, if you opt for the Corolla Hybrid that we’re recommending here, the Toyota (52 miles per gallon combined) is significantly more fuel efficient than the Nissan (35 mpg combined).

In order to match the Versa’s starting price, potential buyers will need to look for a Corolla that’s a couple of years old. The 2023 edition got a few upgrades, but the 2021 and 2022 models will still be more desirable to many buyers than the brand-new Versa. Considering Toyota’s well-earned reputation for low running costs and sterling reliability, a well-taken-care-of Corolla with less than 50,000 miles is a potential bargain.

Option 2: Mitsubishi Outlander

The Nissan Rogue is a reasonable option for buyers who really want a crossover but aren’t willing to plunk down a huge outlay of cash. But we’re looking instead at the Mitsubishi Outlander. Due to a partnership between the two Japanese brands, much of the Outlander’s basic design is shared with the Rogue, including its base powertrain. Buyers may be surprised to see how fancy an up-level Outlander can be inside, with quilted leather and a fully modern infotainment system.

One bonus that the Outlander offers over its Rogue sibling is the option to add a third row of seats. Granted, the way back should be reserved to occasional use due to its small size, but the seats are there in a pinch. The Outlander also offers a stronger warranty that carries over to buyers who choose a car from Mitsubishi’s certified pre-owned inventory.

Option 3: Genesis G70

Like Honda (Acura) and Toyota (Lexus), Nissan has a premium division that’s dedicated to the luxury market. The smallest sedan you may find on Infiniti dealer lots is the Q50, and it’s been around for a while without seeing significant change. It’s a nice car and can easily be found in the Versa’s price range on the used market. Another option that may not immediately come to mind, though, comes from Genesis. The G70 sedan is a very strong offering in the small premium segment, lining up against such formidable competitors as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

If we were to face a choice between the Infiniti Q50 and Genesis G70, we’d lean in the direction of the upstart Korean contender. And if we had a choice between driving a Nissan Versa or a used-but-not-used-up Genesis G70, well, that’s hardly even a consideration. Give us the premium sports sedan, please.

Why not just buy a Versa?

If you really want the cheapest brand-new, never-before-sold subcompact in North America, by all means go to your nearest Nissan dealer and drive home in a Versa. If you like to drive, though, we’d suggest a different route. Yes, the Genesis G70 isn’t going to work for everyone, and we understand, statistics aside, that not everyone wants a crossover like the Outlander. But for nearly everyone out there looking for an efficient and reliable car that won’t break the bank, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an excellent choice.

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