In a monumental change for driving enthusiasts, Nissan announced it will eliminate a manual transmission option in the 2025 Versa sedan. The 2025 Nissan Versa will no longer have the option for a five-speed manual transmission; this is the end of the only new car in the U.S. market with a five-speed manual gearbox, which signifies a change occurring in the car industry regarding automatic and manual transmission choices.
Saying Goodbye to the Stick Shift
The base S trim of the 2025 Nissan Versa, which used to be the lowest-priced new car in America at $18,330, will no longer feature the five-speed manual transmission. All trim levels will now standardize an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. This message supports that car manufacturers are no longer interested in automatic and manual transmission options as a reality for carbuyers in America. There were less than five percent of sales of the Nissan Versa with a manual transmission last year in the U.S.. A spokesperson for Nissan said, "We are focusing on the most popular Versa grades that deliver the strongest business performance and are in line with what customers are asking for from type of sedan."
What's New for the 2025 Versa?
While the big news might be the transmission change, the 2025 Versa keeps its identity as an inexpensive and sensible subcompact sedan. The car will come equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is still a strong point with CVT equipped models getting up to 32 mpg in the city and 40 mph on the highway. All trims will now also receive standard LED headlights and Nissan's Safety Shield 360 with advanced driver-assistance technology.
2025 Nissan Versa Specifications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Broader Industry Context
Nissan's developing plan comes as part of a larger automotive industry with an ongoing shift to more automatic and CVT options leaving traditionally equipped vehicles behind. Automakers typically would follow consumer purchasing trends towards including the trend of advancements in transmission technology when pricing their next new vehicle. Additionally, Nissan is going through restructuring to make more immediate aims to fix its struggling balance sheet alongside losses with approaching £4 billion per year and job cuts totaling over 20,000 jobs. Ultimately, Nissan will likely focus on more electric vehicles in conjunction with it efforts to reinvent itself to focus on electric vehicles.
Conclusion
The death of the Nissan Versa's manual transmission is more than just a spec sheet change; it's the end of the road for the proverbial "last affordable manual." The Versa has long been the last defender of relatively cheap stick movement. With its exit, it becomes apparent that convenience and features truly trump the real fun of shifting. While some enthusiasts will likely feel nostalgic for stick shift cars, it is easy to see that the future of automobiles is automation, electrification, and safety. That said, the 2025 Versa remains a solid option for those looking to spend the least amount of dollars while buying a car, just don't expect to do that with the added option of a clutch.
