Nissan Versa doubtless turns into final new automotive with a beginning worth lower than $20,000.
As a result of sluggish gross sales and shifting shopper choice towards small SUVs, the subcompact Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage can be discontinued within the US market after the 2023 mannequin yr.
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Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage to be Discontinued after 2023 Mannequin Yr
Rio meets its demise following a manufacturing run that lasted greater than 20 years. The primary-generation, which ran from 2001-2005, was distinctive in that it supplied a 4-door station wagon physique model referred to as the Rio Cinco. From the second era onward, Rio sedans and hatchbacks borrowed a lot of their engineering from the Accent produced by Kia’s company accomplice, Hyundai. Observe that Accent was discontinued after model-year 2022.
Accent and Rio acquitted themselves effectively on the highway, providing a pleasing, surprisingly quiet experience and first rate dealing with. Per Hyundai and Kia custom, in addition they delivered numerous commonplace and optionally available options for the cash and an distinctive manufacturing facility guarantee. Regardless of below-average real-world fuel-economy numbers, they nonetheless had sufficient constructive attributes to be common winners of Shopper Information’s Finest Purchase award.
The Mirage’s roots date again to the late Nineteen Seventies. From the mid-Eighties by the mid-Nineties, the automotive was bought by a number of manufacturers, together with Mitsubishi, Dodge, and the previous Plymouth and Eagle divisions of Chrysler, now Stellantis. The Mitsubishi Lancer changed the Mirage in 2002 as the corporate’s new start line.
The outgoing Mirage reprised its function as Mitsubishi’s entry-level car in 2012 and was the primary mass-market automotive bought in North America that was manufactured in Thailand. Powered by a tiny 3-cylinder engine, Mirage was very sluggish and customarily regarded and felt just like the finances experience that it was. The automotive had its deserves, nonetheless. In the appropriate arms, it might ship 50 mpg, which is spectacular contemplating it relied solely on an inner combustion engine—no hybrid help. There’s additionally the model’s guarantee protection, which is correct up there with Hyundai and Kia.
Fast Spin: Hyundai Accent Restricted
As soon as new Rio and Mirage provides dry up, that may doubtless go away the Nissan Versa because the final remaining new automotive an American can purchase with a beginning worth of lower than $20,000. Whereas Nissan has not introduced plans for a 2024 mannequin, an organization spokesman informed Shopper Information that the automotive, “…stays an vital a part of our product portfolio.”
CG Says:
It wasn’t that way back when it turned inconceivable to purchase a brand new automotive for $10,000 or much less. Nonetheless, inflation, elevated manufacturing prices, and altering purchaser preferences make these days really feel like a distant reminiscence. With stable new SUVs just like the 2024 Chevrolet Trax and 2023 Finest Purchase award-winning Nissan Kicks obtainable for lower than $25,000 well-equipped, hopefully it is going to take for much longer for this worth barrier to finally be breached.
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I Broke the 50-MPG Barrier Driving Via Wisconsin. It Was Hell.
Mitsubishi Mirage to be Discontinued
