The Mitsubishi Mirage will not return in 2025, leaving only the Nissan Versa in the sub-$20,000 category.
The automotive landscape changes every year. Electric vehicles (EVs) come onto the market, old models stick around, and some brands disappear. Unfortunately for new car buyers with a budget under $20,000, one of the few remaining affordable 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 only affordable new car option under $20,000 in the United States.
The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback and G4 sedan will be phased out before 2025, leaving the Nissan Versa as the last affordable new car in America under $20,000.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is dead. But before we collectively shout “Long live the Mitsubishi Mirage,” there is one more affordable new car option on the market that starts under the $20,000 mark. It is the Nissan Versa, the Japanese brand’s entry-level compact sedan.
Mitsubishi announced that the Mirage will disappear from the brand’s lineup before the 2025 model year. As a result, Mitsubishi’s lineup will consist of gasoline-powered and hybrid SUVs such as the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid. In addition, Mitsubishi cites low sales as the reason for the move.
For buyers with a budget under $20,000, the Mirage’s discontinuation for the American market leaves only one option: the Nissan Versa. The 2024 Kia Forte, one of the Versa’s closest price competitors, starts at about $4,500 more than the small Nissan sedan.
| Make and model | Starting price |
| Mitsubishi Mirage (model year 2024) | 18,015 USD |
| Nissan Versa (2025) | 16,680 USD |
| Hyundai i30 (2020) | 21,145 USD |
Admittedly, it’s a sad sight to see yet another budget mobility option leave the American market. However, we won’t miss it much. The Mitsubishi Mirage put out just 78 (yes, you read that right) horsepower from its 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Not only was it one of the cheapest cars in America, it was also the least powerful car on the market. Of course, the Mirage’s underpowered engine and low curb weight (about 2,084 pounds) make for commendable fuel economy. Drivers could expect a combined fuel economy of about 39 MPG.
Conversely, my time with the 2024 Nissan Versa SR confirmed my suspicion that cheap doesn’t have to mean boring. The Versa SR’s Sport mode prioritized revs over fuel economy for a comfortable driving experience. While drivers will likely choose the Versa for its budget-friendliness, it’s nice to know that spirited driving isn’t dead in the budget category.
