
At the start of the 12 months, Kelley Blue Book reported that the common value paid for a brand new automotive in the USA was $49,740. Across the similar time, Edmonds reported that round 20% of recent automotive house owners had been locked into paying at the least $1,000 per thirty days on their new automobiles.
Clearly, shopping for a automotive new is just not for the faint of pockets, particularly as inflation continues to rear its head and auto tariffs proceed to loom over a trade-warring America.
That being stated, whereas many new automobiles price north of $50k, particularly when consumers go for upgraded options or particular editions, there do exist fashions whose value tags are so low they may make you do a double-take.
However just one automotive can take the title of the 12 months’s most cost-effective.
Nissan
What’s the most reasonably priced new automotive of 2025?
In 2025, the cheapest-new-car distinction belongs to the Nissan Versa, which begins at simply $17,190. That’s nearly 33% under the average price of a used car, which is fairly exceptional, particularly in at the moment’s market. In truth, the Versa is the one new 2025 automobile whose base mannequin begins at beneath $20k.
Runners up embody the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul, which begin at $20,200 and $20,490, respectively.
Related: The best 2025 cars under $25k based on Consumer Reports data
Fast details concerning the 2025 Nissan Versa
- Value: $17,190–$21,190
- Metropolis MPG: 22 (with auto transmission)
- Freeway MPG: 45 (with auto transmission)
- General MPG: 32 (with auto transmission)
- Full-tank vary: 345 miles
- Gasoline-tank capability: 10.8 gallons
- Horsepower: As much as 122
- Torque: As much as 144 foot-pounds
- Fundamental guarantee: 36 months or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee: 60 months or 60,000 miles
Is the 2025 Nissan Versa an excellent automotive? Right here’s what auto consultants say
At a beginning value like $17,190, automotive consumers out there for a model new automobile are understandably . However is the most affordable new automotive available on the market truly an excellent purchase? Is it a dependable automobile that may stand the check of time, or is it more likely to price house owners greater than they saved on the ticket value in upkeep and repairs?
Right here’s what the brand new automotive consultants at Client Reviews, Kelley Blue E-book, Automotive and Driver, and Edmunds need to say:
Nissan
Client Reviews’ evaluate of the 2025 Nissan Versa
Client Reviews is a non-profit client advocacy group that exams automobiles at its six-mile closed-course driving observe and testing facility in Connecticut. It additionally surveys its thousands and thousands of members yearly about their very own automobiles’ efficiency and any points they’ve encountered.
Client Reviews’ testers praised the Versa for its easy-to-use management panel and intuitive touch-screen infotainment system. The org additionally lauded the finances sedan for its included security options, which embody computerized emergency braking (AEB) and ahead collision warning (FCW) system.
On the down aspect, nonetheless, the testers at CR had been considerably dissatisfied within the Versa’s acceleration on uphill climbs and in onto-highway merging conditions. Additionally they talked about that the automotive’s construct can lead to a considerably bumpy driving expertise, particularly on tough roads or when driving over giant cracks or potholes.
General, nonetheless, Client Reviews has a optimistic view of the Versa, particularly for its extremely low value, even giving it the sought-after “CR-recommended badge,” which suggests the automobile in query met or exceeded the org’s expectations when it comes to security and high quality.
Related: The most popular new cars according to Consumer Reports
Kelley Blue E-book client critiques of the 2025 Nissan Versa
Kelley Blue E-book, a greater than century-old automotive analysis and valuation firm, aggregates automotive proprietor critiques on its web site. The 2025 Nissan Versa, as of this text’s final replace, has 20 driver critiques on the location.
General, reviewers gave the Versa a mean of 4 out of 5 stars, with 45% of respondents giving it 5 out of 5 stars, and 80% of respondents recommending the automobile typically.
Right here’s the way it scored in particular areas:
- Worth: 4.4/5
- Efficiency: 3.9/5
- High quality: 3.8/5
- Consolation: 3.9/5
- Reliability: 4.2/5
- Styling: 4.4/5
Automotive and Driver’s evaluate of the 2025 Nissan Versa
Automotive and Driver, an automotive fanatic publication, recommends the brand new Versa for drivers in search of fundamental transportation and good gas financial system on a finances.
The motive force-focused journal admits that the Versa doesn’t impress when it comes to its efficiency, nevertheless it lauds the mannequin for its consolation and accessibility, noting that it “doesn’t really feel like a typical penalty field.”
The 2025 Versa additionally landed a spot on Automotive and Driver’s Editors’ Alternative Record, the place it was named finest subcompact sedan of the 12 months
Nissan
Edmunds’ evaluate of the 2025 Nissan Versa
Edmunds, one other on-line automotive analysis publication, had nearly solely good issues to say concerning the 2025 Versa, though the outlet, like others, talked about the mannequin’s lackluster acceleration.
Edmunds praised the Versa for its spaciousness (for a small sedan), fashionable tech, and succesful security options, calling it a “good alternative” for anybody out there for a finances subcompact.
Right here’s how Edmunds scored the 2025 mannequin throughout three classes:
- Efficiency: 7/10
- Consolation: 7.5/10
- Inside: 8/10
- Know-how: 7/10
- Storage: 7/10
- Gasoline financial system: 8.5/10
- Worth: 8/10
- Wildcard: 7/10
Extra automotive content material:
- Top 10 electric cars that aren’t Tesla, based on Consumer Reports data
- The best affordable fuel-efficient cars according to Consumer Reports
- The best new cars of 2025 according to Consumer Reports, KBB & Edmunds
The takeaway
There you may have it — the auto consultants and automotive reviewers have spoken. The 2025 Nissan Versa gives glorious worth for its value, and when you’re in search of a small, fundamental automotive with good gasoline mileage and security options, it’s an ideal alternative. The number-one criticism testers have with the automobile is its substandard acceleration, which could be a downside when merging onto highways or climbing hills.
In the event you’re in search of something extra succesful than a fundamental, around-town sedan, look elsewhere.
Related: How to buy a used car in 2025: A 6-step guide with tips