DRIVEN: 2014 Nissan Teana 2.5 (L33) at Nissan 360

nissan-teana-j33-2

Malaysia may have only recently welcomed the arrival of the blind spot monitoring-equipped Nissan Teana, but our 2013 model still belongs to the J32 family, which has existed in world markets from 2009 and end-2010 at home. The local D segment hasn’t stood still since – with offerings from Japan, Korea and the Continent relentlessly springing up all over the place, Nissan will not, and cannot, rest on its Laurels for long.

As is often the case, the crystal ball to gaze into is to be found overseas. But sometimes it’s a blink-and-miss case, as it was with us and this car. When Nissan launched the 2013 Altima last summer in the US, we thought little of it until Dongfeng-Nissan unveiled a very similar-looking vehicle in China that bore the Teana badge, suggesting a conformity to the more cost-effective ‘global car’ trend.

But they’ve actually been related underneath all the while. The original J31 Teana sat on the same FF-L platform as the L31 Altima, and when the L32 Altima switched to the D platform, so did the J32 Teana. But because they looked so different from each other, few knew of their kinship. With the new L33 generation, although they retain their respective maiden names, Asia and America finally wear the same dress.

nissan-teana-j33-13

Unsurprisingly, Columbia has more to fill up her dress with. In addition to a 2.5 litre QR25DE four-cylinder engine, the American Altima is also offered with a 3.5 litre VQ35DE V6. The Chinese Teana gets the same four-pot, plus the 2.0 litre MR20DE unit from the second-gen Sylphy.

So to date, we know of three engines available in two major car-buying nations, and the J32 Teana’s smooth 2.5 litre VQ25DE V6 isn’t one of them, suggesting that, where this engine displacement is concerned, the V6 has been replaced by the QR-series four-cylinder.

If this is indeed true, is it good or bad news for the Teana? I try to find the answers to this and more in a short drive at Nissan’s quadrennial 360 event, held this year in sunny Orange County, California. I only had one day there and time was tight, but I managed to try out the new China-built, China-spec Teana 2.5 on a makeshift course at the disused El Toro Marine Corps airbase (after all, the car wasn’t US road-legal).

Our current Teana is, in my eyes, not a bad-looking machine. Although fresher and more extroverted alternatives exist, the J32’s gentle lines convey quiet elegance in a minimalist and dignified manner. Large swept-back headlamps that hug the bonnet’s shut lines are part of a conservatively-styled face, while an uninterrupted shoulder line runs almost parallel to the ground, creating a slimming and lengthening effect.

Clearly borrowing styling cues from the third-gen Sylphy, the new car appears to be gunning for a younger crowd, with a new front end that’s composed of smaller xenon projector headlamps with an inward kink, a sharply V-shaped chrome grille and a more aggressive-looking apron with a trapezoidal slatted intake. New fog lamp housings too, and the chrome strips that emanated from the fog lamps on the previous car are gone, although they continue to run along the side of the body.

The shoulder line, body crease and chrome strip now slope upwards towards the back of the car, creating a somewhat more athletic, poised-to-pounce look. The rear quarter window is smaller, and the LED tail lamps mirror the inward kink of the headlamps. It’s a curvier and more muscular affair, on the whole.

Round the back, twin tailpipes (hidden on the previous car) peek out from a more sculpted apron and the chrome strips don’t wrap around the rear bumper like they used to. The chrome slab above the number plate seems to have grown in size, and also takes on a V shape. The Xtronic CVT badge now incorporates a Pure Drive emblem, lest we forget the Teana is now cleaner and greener than before.

What exactly does Pure Drive entail? Besides the inclusion of start-stop and Eco mode, the CVT for 2.0 to 3.5 litre-engined vehicles now has 40% less friction thanks to the adoption of a more compact oil pump, and a wider ratio coverage of 7.0 due to a stronger belt and a thinner pulley axle.

The Adaptive Shift Control system returns, offering more than 1,000 possible gearchange patterns to suit your driving style. The result of all this, Nissan says, is 10% better mileage than earlier Xtronic models and nearly 8% better than current conventional six-speed autos.

nissan-teana-j33-19

Moreover, the new car (this variant at least) weighs just shy of 1,470 kg – almost 130 kg less than the current car. Contributing to that is more efficient usage of high-tensile steel and aluminium, and of course, two fewer cylinders in a more compact configuration. So the Teana 2.5 can now claim a combined fuel consumption of around 7.3 litres per 100 km, when the previous V6 car quoted 9.5.

So spill the beans, you say, how much power and torque has it lost? Believe it or not, the four-cylinder actually develops 182 hp at 6,000 rpm and 234 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. That’s 2 hp and 6 Nm more than the V6, with a 400-rpm earlier torque peak! This is the revised version of the engine, packing a higher 9.6 compression ratio, a modified cam profile, reinforced conrods and a raised rev limit, amongst others.

At 4,868 mm long, 1,830 mm wide and 1,490 mm tall, the L33 is slightly larger all around than the J32, although it sits on the same 2,775 mm wheelbase. Front and rear tracks are now the same width at 1,585 mm; the J32’s numbers were 1,560 mm up front and 1,565 mm out back. Boot volume has jumped 10 litres to 516 litres.

Step inside and you’ll be greeted by an all-new cabin – there are a lot of changes, albeit not radical ones. They include a steering wheel (now three-spoke) with revised buttons and shift paddles (2.5 only), a higher centre console, bigger front door pockets (finally useable!) and a neater, twin-dial instrument panel incorporating a screen that displays lane departure and blind spot visual alerts.

A new centre stack holds smaller air vents, a seven-inch CarWings touch-screen system with navigation and Around View Monitor, plus a more conventionally laid out climate control interface. The set of switches under the dashboard (boot release, VDC off etc) on the driver’s side are also more neatly arranged in two rows. A boost for ergonomics, overall – everything just seemed to come more readily to hand. No real complaints as far as space is concerned, too.

The interior of the car I drove had shiny carbon-like trim on the centre console, gear lever and door handle surround, which I can’t say I’m fond of. I personally think the beige leather and wood alternative looks more expensive, as well as expansive. The less old-fashioned amongst you however, may beg to differ. More storage spaces wouldn’t hurt, too.

Nissan Teana J33

Finally, the drive. The hallmark smoothness and comfort is retained on the whole, but venture beyond half-throttle and you don’t feel so much as hear the difference a four-pot makes. Unsurprisingly, the rising engine note was slightly harsher – I borrowed a current Teana 2.5 V6 over the weekend to refresh my memory – but I cannot say for certain if it was louder. The CVT certainly prolonged the tone, although the intrusion was by no means excessive.

But as is the case in cars fitted with gearboxes of this type, the ‘loud pedal’ is exactly that: it’s a volume knob. Ease off into a cruise and the four-cylinder settles into a relatively hushed rhythm. Unfortunately, the only straight on the course wasn’t quite long enough for me to sustain a steady 110 km/h and pin-point the corresponding engine speed (revs fluctuate easily with a CVT), but it should be around 2,000 rpm – the same as its V6-engined predecessor.

It’s clearly lighter on its feet than before, picking up the pace that bit more eagerly. The ‘rubber-band’ trait associated with CVTs is considerably less evident this time; engine speed matches vehicle speed rather closely throughout, which does take driveability up a notch or two. And remember, you’ve now got just as much power and torque, while burning less fuel. Is a marginally less decorous engine note a worthy trade-off? With prices rising at the pumps, I do think so.

Nissan Teana J33

Tangoing through the twisties showed up good body control from the front MacPhersons and rear multi-links, both of which are kept in check by stabiliser bars. The electrohydraulic steering is adequately weighted, reasonably quick and provides just enough feel. As they don’t turn with the steering wheel, the shift paddles are made tall, but I found them a tad far from reach. They have quite a long click travel too, which can make them clumsy to operate through bends – but that’s trivial. It’s really quite deft and nimble for its size.

The variant driven was the second-from-top 2.5 XL Navi Tech variant, which rolls on 16-inch alloys wrapped in 215/60 series rubber and doesn’t have an air-ventilated memory driver’s seat. That’s reserved for the bells-and-whistles 2.5 XL Upper Navi Tech, which gets 215/55 R17s, a nine-speaker Bose audio system and a tyre pressure monitoring system all to itself.

The other five variants currently on sale in China are the 2.0 XE, 2.0 XL, 2.0 XL Navi, 2.5 XL and 2.5 XL Navi. Standard across the range are follow-me-home lighting, speed-sensing wipers, a sunroof, six airbags, Active Trace Control (brakes inside wheels during hard cornering) and all the usual safety acronyms, along with many others.

Shortly after the Teana’s launch in China in February, we got up close to its less-generously-chromed Altima twin at the Seoul motor show, before a reader spotted one on the move closer to home – heavily covered up, but not hiding the aforementioned 215/55 R17 aluminium alloys. The Malaysian launch of the Nissan Teana is expected to happen sometime next year – how will our version fare against the Toyota Camry and recently-launched Honda Accord?

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Learn more:

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • afoka on Sep 26, 2013 at 9:34 am

    That chrome line is really irritate my eyes. I will ask SA to take it off before i pick up the key.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 25
    • pontiac on Oct 04, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      u should choose Mazda6.. the best D-segment car in the whole world, yet.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 21
  • HENDRICK NG on Sep 26, 2013 at 10:15 am

    conservative design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 4
  • Wilson on Sep 26, 2013 at 10:25 am

    i don’t want to comment on the exterior because it is subjective. But specs wise, damn this is much better than the previous 1.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 46 Thumb down 4
    • Spec wise,if Tan Chong launch it with full specs,like 6 airbags and X-Tronic CVT,I will consider it.Currently driving new Cerato.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
      • Real Man on Dec 10, 2013 at 10:59 am

        If you were driving the Optima K5 and you made the above comments, it would have made more sense. You obviously chose the cheaper Forte Cerato as you were going for maximum bang-for-buck and you probably had a smaller budget for a C-segment car, so you went for the Forte Cerato rather the more luxurious D-segment Optima K5. You are not the right market for the Teana V6. You just bought the Forte Cerato anyhow- are you willing to suffer a 30% depreciation within the first 2 years to go for a Teana V6? Highly unlikely, my friend.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • lanjan on Sep 26, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Looks bigger than rivals unless side to side comparison. Not much improvement in cabin space, the extra size gain mainly outside. Retains the ugly backpack look, which is good as not to interst me in buying one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 9
  • NissPENGan on Sep 26, 2013 at 10:44 am

    The best looking Nissan Teana of all time ! Look like Camry, Accord n Mazda6 must aware of it!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 27
    • You should change your nickname to NisPENGsan because every one is pengsan reading your comment. :D

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 43 Thumb down 8
  • Rudolf on Sep 26, 2013 at 10:50 am

    A same displacement 4 cylinder produce more hp & torque at even lower rpm while consume less fuel. Does it means it’s the dead call for legendary V6?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • the main reason to get current teana is v6.. proven satisfied.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 3
    • Sky pirate on Sep 26, 2013 at 5:08 pm

      One of the main reason the new 4 banger produces more HP and torque than the V6 is that it’s a revised engine, an improved one if you may. If Nissan kept the development for the V6 going, i’m sure it will beat the 4 banger. Anyway, HP and torque aside, whether it’s this new 4 banger or any turbocharged 4 banger, V6 engines will still produce better sound, but it’s not like a Teana needed to sound like a sporty sedan.

      The point I’m trying to make is that, no point comparing a brand new 4 banger with an aging V6.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • 4G63T DSM on Sep 26, 2013 at 5:52 pm

        I have driven both the 4 cyc and VQ v6 Altima of the previous gen and it isnt a comparison. the v6 is so much smoother and refined. the base 2.5 4 banger just feels like a cheap sedan compared to the v6. the VQ series is another legendary engine family dating to the VQ30 used in the 2nd gen Maxima.

        the power is another matter. too bad our road tax makes big cc cars not feasible.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
        • sky pirate on Sep 26, 2013 at 7:36 pm

          absolutely agreed. even when comparing a turbocharged 4 banger VS a V6, although the HP and torque numbers might be more superior for a turbocharged 4 banger, the V6 will still provide a much linear and smoother power delivery. i dislike the sudden push of the 2.0 TSI in the passat cc, and the car feels extremely heavy when going up hill.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • swaik on Sep 26, 2013 at 11:10 pm

      driving one v6 now and aint trading it anytime for any 4 pots with or without turbo …

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 68 Thumb down 1
  • ernie on Sep 26, 2013 at 11:07 am

    nice car but damn bulky.good luck with parking.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 10
    • minnie on Nov 19, 2013 at 2:06 pm

      funny u should mention parking. some Almera owners face the same problem.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Datuk on Sep 26, 2013 at 11:13 am

    “Standard across the range are…a sunroof, six airbags, Active Trace Control.” Will this spec available for malaysia spec? especially the six airbags. Those Teana contender like Accord & Camry dont have it, hopefully TCM will offer the six airbags for malaysia spec. Dont be so greedy by give two air bags and paired with RM180k price tag.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 0
    • Jimmy on Sep 26, 2013 at 5:56 pm

      Jap with 6 airbags + ESP but no V6, cheapest and best is M6 2.0L, no? And M6 comes with telescopic steering, which Nissan Company is not confident with.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Anti-Fuel-Price on Sep 26, 2013 at 11:19 am

    OHHHHH NOOO!!!!!! My head is cracking…. too many choices for me to choose: Mazda 6, Accord, Passat, now Teana. Damn it somehow, look a like Infiniti. All I can say: Nice looking & Sporty. Thumbs Up

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 35 Thumb down 2
    • frenzyaustin on Sep 27, 2013 at 11:49 am

      Sporty drive – M6
      Super conservative uncle – Teana
      Conservative but a bit of sportiness – Accord
      European wannabe/ no money buy Benz or Bimmer – Passat
      I only know car runs on petrol – Camry
      Want to looks young and modern – K5
      Want young and modern with some spirited driving – 508
      Conclusion – M6 is well suited for anybody any age, except long journey cruiser, Camry and Passat both overpriced and looks terrible, totally not recommended.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 1
      • i test drove all, but i think only M6 & passat have the best drive…for the M6, the 2.5 have decent power but the 2.0 is a bit underpowered. But surprising, the little passat 1.8 is the most powerful, the nearest powerful is the 508 (hmm, only 1.6 liter)

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • vincent on Sep 26, 2013 at 11:23 am

    I notice that the speedometer looks more upscale now compare to the previous model.
    Teana should seperate itself away from Accord and Camry by offering something that consumer can see and can feel that the car is better value for money by offering 6 airbags to the customers. Come on Nissan, give us a 6 airbags model and you will see your sales pick up. Learn it from Mazda.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  • Bling on Sep 26, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    The headlamp design somehow managed to remind me of the previous-gen S-Class’ units. There is definitely a lot of chrome on the exterior, which is really a love-it-or-loath-it affair.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Fugly

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 24
  • I’ve driven a few 2.5L cars for 8 months in the US. Among all, the 2.5L Altima impressed me the most. The handling is pretty good (just lose to Mazda6), but the engine is very responsive, with super smooth and fast shifting CVT (can downshift 3 gears in 1sec). In overall, the 2011 version is the best among all the 2.5L cars at that time (mazda6, camry, accord, malibu and etc).

    if it is the same engine as Altima, this new Teana should be good.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • do u even know what CVT is? -_- it can shift 120 gears in the next sec if it wants to

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • glaze on Dec 10, 2013 at 11:54 am

      fast shifting does not apply to CVT because it has only virtual “gears”, there is no shifting actually..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol on Sep 26, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    I’ve read reviews and seen photos of the latest Altima. And although the new Teana above has the same overall design as the Altima, I still think the Altima looks better. Perhaps its the rim/tyre size and design (I believe Paultan had posted spyshots of the new Teana testing in Malaysia with the upsized rims/tyres before). The 2.5 engine is still down on power/torque to the Mazda 6 and Honda Accord (US version with DI, not the watered down version for Malaysia), but should be enough to beat the Camry 2.5.

    I can also see some (a few, not many) Infiniti parts bin sharing in some dash controls & buttons. But its the shiny pedal shifters that look really premium.

    Hopefully it comes here soon. Will give the local D segment a major kick in the behind.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • This 2013 Teana is also called Nissan Altima in US,Australia and Canada.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • but they all way down in torque compared to the 1.6 508 & the passat 1.8….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Geronimo on Sep 26, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Sorry. I thought the revs in CVT is more constant compared to normal slush box.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • owned on Sep 26, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    omg ! look at the paddle shifter it melts my heart

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • sick&tired on Sep 26, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    although its not a bad looking car, it just doesn’t stand out enough. Nissan, as usual, went with the save route. I remember the days when nissan had the balls to come out with cutting edge designs like the first generation Murano. I guess that’s a thing of the past now.

    BTW I disagree about the beige interior. While it may look good when new, its just not practical as it gets dirty very fast and doesn’t age well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • stanley on Sep 26, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    aiyo just like cefiro last time de… young ppl drive sure father mather one haha…… last time i remmember i got 1 friend very proud of his father cefiro always drive around in school time. n brag he will get pretty girlfriend… but end up the girlfriend soso only..just wait my new vios coming soon we will see who get the pretty girlfriend lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 36
  • roxas on Sep 26, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    better looking and sleeker thn the camry. looks abit like a young infiniti .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Denaihati on Sep 26, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    many improvement have been made nissan. totally new engine, gearbox improvement with 10% better mileage, mean a lot of fuel saving.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Fahmi on Sep 26, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    Looks conservative but beautiful enough.. After all looks are subjective.. Specs wise looks okay though that V6 roar will be sorely missed… Hope that it comes to Malaysia with full safety specs, not stripped down one..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Fahmi on Sep 26, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    I can’t wait for trinity shootout, 2nd round… Please Tan Chong, quick bring this car to Malaysia..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo on Sep 26, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Seems more like a facelift rather than new model

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 12
    • maserratiShameLoo on Oct 01, 2013 at 9:19 pm

      anytime better than the plastic feel new camry and of course your old 2.0E old model

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • The new accord is much more better..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 56 Thumb down 47
  • NISSpengAN on Sep 26, 2013 at 10:44 pm

    Only those moron will pengsan when read my statement!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • My front-side neighbour drives the pre-facelift Teana. Honestly looks a lot more expensive than it really is. The interior feels premium too. The new Camry on the other hand looks and feels cheap compared to all of its D-seg rivals, and yet it’s more expensive, all things considered. -__-

    Anyway, I’m not raising my hopes or anything, ETCM will give us 2 airbags, ABS, EBD and BA standard with this. Maybe 4 airbags for the higher specs. Just wait and see.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • west end boys on Sep 27, 2013 at 12:57 am

    FInally,a proper nissan sedan for south east asia.Been waiting since their launch the first nissan altima in the us.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Didimtomei on Sep 27, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    Nice paddle shifters.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sam Loo on Sep 27, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    With new Jap models hitting the market, all I can say to kimchi owners is pray real hard

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
    • stupidCarl on Oct 05, 2013 at 4:51 pm

      Apa kamu nak beritahu, tolong explain? Buyers who likes korean car is their choice, why are you so bodohying bashing and worrying for Korean car buyers? Janganlah acting like budak kecil

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • NISSpengAN on Sep 28, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    R.I.P for sonata n K5

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 6
  • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Sep 29, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    I would say that its Hailat to K5, Sonata, Elantra & Forte owners

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
  • Car is definitely nice, but wish nissan service centre improve their service efficiency .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • talk talk on Oct 07, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    The All Honda Accord that really catch my eye.. With the Day-light switch on and the full LED technology lighting system. Accord the best yet for me.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Wilson on Oct 11, 2013 at 12:04 pm

    those paddle shifters really turn me on.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • jellybean on Nov 19, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    for the life of me i can never understand why some would choose light colours like white and/or silver for any of these nissan sedans (teana and almera included).

    the colour one choses can really make or break a car.

    For Nissan sedans sold here in Malaysia, grey or something close to it is still the best in my humble opinion.

    Also, change the rims to enkei rp1 or vossen cv5, change the car plate frame and use a shorter radio antenna so the car won’t look like it’s meant for older people only.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • I am using Teana 2.5 yr 2013, after six months I complain about fuel range reading(digital) fluctuating when driving on Highway ; nissan service centre reported like ‘they just can’t do anything about it’.
    I am confused & just can’t agreed with that.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required