Nissan is updating its budget sedan without a revolution: the body stays familiar, but the front end now echoes the brand’s more upscale models.
The 2027 Nissan Versa has essentially “leaked” ahead of its official reveal: the sedan was photographed in Mexico without any camouflage during what appeared to be a promo shoot. That usually means the debut is right around the corner—possibly just weeks away.
The photos show that Nissan chose a heavy refresh rather than a clean-sheet redesign. The profile, roofline, and window shapes all look familiar, keeping the basic architecture of the current generation (on sale since 2019 and updated in 2022).
The front, however, has been reworked more extensively, with split LED headlights connected by a black trim piece and a more mature, upscale look inspired by larger Nissan models. The grille is narrower, while the lower air intake has been stretched. The hood and front fenders, based on their shape, may be carried over.
Changes at the rear are more modest but still noticeable: new taillights, a slightly revised trunk lid with a larger “Versa” script, and a license plate relocated to the lower bumper area. New wheel designs round out the look—an important touch in this segment for adding visual freshness.
Mechanically, no major changes are expected. The car should retain Nissan’s V platform (related to the previous Kicks), and under the hood it will likely keep the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine. Since the manual transmission was already dropped from the current model, it’s reasonable to expect the CVT to remain the primary option.
Production is planned for the Aguascalientes plant, while the older CIVAC facility is scheduled to shut down by March 2026. The model could end up being sold exclusively in Latin America, but if demand for affordable cars continues to grow, Nissan may revisit the idea of bringing the Versa back to the U.S. market.