Nissan Altima With Maybach Vibes—Off Limits for America

Despite being on the market since 2018, the current-generation Nissan Altima continues to perform well, ranking third among the Japanese automaker’s models in the U.S. However, even with a refresh a few years ago, the Altima is showing its age. Nissan hasn’t shared details about a forthcoming update for the U.S. model, but its counterpart sold overseas—the Teana—is already being refreshed, as revealed by leaked information from its largest market, China.

The updated details for the Teana were filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and leaked by Autohome. According to the report, the second mid-cycle facelift is set to debut this year. It remains a facelift rather than a full redesign, as the model continues to be based on the current-generation L34 Nissan Altima sold in the U.S. Most dimensions remain unchanged from the outgoing Teana, with only a slight increase in overall length.

The Altima’s Twin Gets a Classier Makeover in China

The most noticeable update to the Teana appears on its front fascia, where a restyled, larger V-Motion grille now features chrome accents at the corners. The headlamp housings have also been reshaped, trading their previous aggressive, sporty look for a more refined appearance. At the rear, the redesign is more pronounced—taillights are now linked by a single black trim piece, complemented by an LED light strip featuring an illuminated Nissan wordmark, a design cue that has become increasingly common. The side profile remains familiar, retaining the distinctive C-pillar kink.

Perhaps the most striking feature of this updated Teana is the new two-tone paint option. The contrasting black lower body and beige upper half give the midsize sedan a Maybach-inspired elegance. Paired with the refreshed front fascia and updated wheel designs, the Teana in China exudes a noticeably more refined and upscale appearance than before.

The documents reveal that the updated Teana will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 243 horsepower—a slightly detuned version of the controversial VC-Turbo unit that was discontinued from the U.S. Nissan Altima lineup.

The Sedan’s Future in America Remains Uncertain

Rumors from China suggest that the Teana will also receive interior updates, mainly to integrate Nissan’s latest technologies. However, the regulatory filings offer no images of the cabin, leaving its refreshed design a mystery for now.

It’s uncertain whether this updated Teana will make its way to the U.S. Nissan Altima, which has long been rumored to exit the lineup after this year. Despite the decline of sedans in America, the Nissan Altima remains an important model for Nissan, ranking third in sales behind the Sentra and Rogue. However, year-over-year data shows a drop in Nissan Altima sales, suggesting that the current design may be losing appeal among the remaining American sedan buyers.

Hopefully, an updated Nissan Altima is in the pipeline to reignite interest in the affordable nameplate—or perhaps even a version that capitalizes on the buzz surrounding the new N7 sedan. Notably, this electric model is set for a global rollout, in line with Nissan’s strategy of exporting vehicles from China.