Heavily Refreshed 2026 Nissan Almera Teased, Debuts This Year

Teased by Nissan is this compact sedan for Latin America. The automaker christened it as the "latest Versa" - the name used for the Almera model in said market space.

Besides the new third-generation Leaf EV that has seemingly morphed form compact hatchback to a sporty crossover SUV, Nissan’s new range of products detailed this week from its bold new “revival plan” include several other key new models.

One of which that caught our attention is the veiled sedan pictured above. Effectively, this is a teaser of what’s to become the replacement of the current generation Nissan Almera compact sedan, and we reckon it could not come any sooner.

The "latest Versa" was teased for Latin America alongside a new one-tone pick-up truck believed to be the new Mitsubishi Triton-based Navara.

Officially, Nissan didn’t refer to the teased sedan pictured as the Almera, but as the “latest Versa” instead. It has been earmarked for debut in the Latin American market region anytime between April this year and March next year (2026).

In said market region, the current Almera model (chassis code: N18) is badged as the Versa instead.

A key hint here is Nissan’s choice of words, namely “latest Versa.” This likely suggest that the N18 Almera as we know it will NOT get a successor that’s brand new from the ground up. Instead, Nissan is more likely to give said N18-gen model a heavy refresh.

Current-gen (N18) and Malaysia-spec Almera (left) and face-lifted Thai-market version (right) pictured. Take note, the latter was revealed in 2023 but has not entered Malaysia yet.

When compared, the "latest Versa" teased above share the same C-pillar kink and glasshouse profile as the N18-gen Almera model pictured up top.

Visually, this is evident in the C-pillar kink and glasshouse profile of the teased model, which appears to mirror closely to the current N18 model’s lines. Besides which, we’ll also add that a heavy refresh is a more cost-effective path versus developing an all-new model.

Given the failed merger talks with rivals Honda, as well as the heavy losses Nissan experienced due to poor sales, we’re certain the ailing automaker will indeed favour any and all viable cost-effective measures towards improving its products.

Face-lifted 2023MY Nissan Almera (N18) as revealed in Thailand back in 2023. Again, this iteration of the Almera has not arrived in Malaysia yet.

Besides all this, we’re also certain that the heavily refreshed Almera (Versa) teased here will also sport an almost entirely new look. Key hints to this stem from the distinct new LED DRL pattern it boasts up front, which should match with an entirely new front end.

Closer inspection also reveal what appear to be striking new multi-spoke alloy wheels design. Perhaps we can also expect a whole new rear fascia design, as well as revisions to the interior too, perhaps with better displays.

N18-gen Nissan Almera in range-topping 1.0 Turbo VLT guise that's still currently marketed in Malaysia.

No details regarding powertrain, though this will be influenced by market region. On that note, we can perhaps expect the current N18-gen Almera’s range of 1.0-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol mill plus CVT transmission pairing to remain for the Asian market.

We’ll know more once the made-for-Latin America “latest Versa” teased officially debuts.