Nissan shifts gears with a meaner looking Versa but the manual stick is likely history

Leaked photos of the new Versa have made their way onto the internet, stirring up anticipation amongst Nissan fans.

While details are still quite thin on the ground, many are predicting that the car has likely done away with its manual stick.

The 2026 model has been spotted in Mexico without any sort of camouflage to obscure it.

But what’s new and what’s being carried over from the 2025 model? Let’s take a look.

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What we can tell from the leaked images

There’s something quite exciting about a leaked photo of a new car making its way online.

It gives us Average Joes the chance to see cars before they’re officially released.

Back in 2022, Ferrari found itself scrambling when photos of the Purosangue leaked online.

Then there was the time the Slate pickup truck got an earlier preview than Jeff Bezos probably intended.

And we can’t forget about the time that photos of the Sultan of Brunei’s car collection made their way onto the internet.

This time around, it was the 2026 Versa that made an early debut on a Facebook group, where Carscoops spotted them.

There are some conflicting reports on whether this is a 2026 model or a 2027 model, but things will likely be revealed in due time.

It seems like change is on the way with this version, as the front end has been significantly updated.

With a grille and a lighting style owing some similarities to Nissan’s Murano SUV, this Versa is a whole different beast.

Production of the new model will take place at Nissan’s Aguascalientes plant, making a change from the CIVAC facility in Cuernavaca, which is closing down in March 2026.

If you’re in the US and feel like you’re itching to get your hands on this new model, this is the part where we’d caution you to exercise some patience.

Reports from local outlets indicate that this is a car that will be sold exclusively in Latin American markets.

Nissan’s teaser hasn’t done much to dissuade this notion, as the new Versa was pictured next to the Navara, another model sold in the Central and South American markets.

Will this car be manual?

Obviously, we can’t say for certain whether or not the new Versa will be manual – but the odds aren’t looking good.

Earlier this year, the last remaining five-speed manual car in the US entered retirement.

That car? The Nissan Versa.

So the odds of it making a comeback with this new model are relatively slim.

Given that less than five percent [2,129 units] of the Versas sold in the US were manual, it makes sense.

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