This is the updated Nissan Versa (or Almera) for Mexico

With the crossover and electrified market exploding in popularity nowadays, it’s easy for several models like the Nissan Almera (or Versa, in other countries) to be forgotten by many. However, Nissan hasn’t given up on the humble subcompact sedan, and it just gave the Versa a shot in the arm with an extensive facelift for the Mexican market.

The new Nissan Versa adopts a significantly sleeker design that’s reminiscent of the current trends: a three-tiered face that adopts an upper layer with daytime running lights/turn signals and the Nissan emblem, the second layer housing the main LED headlights and the main grille, and the bottom, an additional grille with the front radar for the safety systems.

It adopts new alloy wheel designs of either 16 or 17-inch sizes, with 15-inch steelies available as an option. The general side profile remains the same as the previous generations, but the rear adopts a new taillight assembly that connects in the middle with a faux lightbar setup for a cleaner, simplified look that sees the license plate move down.

The interior layout is generally the same, only this time with more angular climate vents, an all-new digital instrument cluster that mates a seven-inch screen to a segmented LCD speed and fuel readout, and an all-new widescreen infotainment that’s 12.3 inches on the top-of-the-line trim and nine inches on the lower trim.

Both support wireless smartphone integration, automatic climate control, and it now has wireless charging and USB-C ports, and comes with NissanConnect and the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite of advanced driver assistance systems, too.

That top trim also comes with an eight-speaker Bose sound system with speakers integrated in the Zero Gravity seats, and a two-tone leather interior available in either a light blue or gray hue with contrast stitching, and that splash of color also extends to other parts of the cabin, like the door cards, center console, and dashboard.

In Mexico, the Versa is powered by a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine (HR16DE), which sends 118 horsepower and 149Nm of torque to the front wheels. You can either shift your own gears via a five-speed manual transmission or automatically with an Xtronic CVT. No sign of the 1.0-liter turbo-three cylinder HRA0DET found in the local Almera for Mexico.

This update hasn’t made its way to Thailand yet, meaning it won’t be any time soon until we can be sure that Nissan Philippines will introduce this to our shores.

^{Photos from Nissan Mexico}