Why was Teana renamed to Altima?
3 Answers
The English name of Teana has always been Altima. This model is only referred to as Teana in the domestic market. Taking the 2021 Teana as an example, its body dimensions are 4901mm in length, 1850mm in width, and 1450mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2825mm, a fuel tank capacity of 61.3 liters, and a curb weight of 1456kg. The 2021 Teana features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a trapezoidal control arm multi-link independent rear suspension. In terms of power, it is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 156 PS, a maximum power output of 115 kW, and a peak torque of 197 Nm, paired with a CVT continuously variable transmission.
I remember Nissan renamed the Teana to Altima mainly to unify the global model naming. Previously, Nissan's B-segment sedan was called Teana in China but had always been named Altima in the U.S. market, which easily confused consumers. Under the current trend of globalization, automakers are simplifying their product lines, and unifying names can save a lot on marketing costs. I reckon they also wanted to leverage the reputation built by the Altima in the North American market to enhance its image, especially since the Altima has had steady sales there. When this car underwent a generational update, it directly adopted the U.S. version's design, making it overall more youthful and sporty—indeed, it has less of a business vibe compared to the old Teana. Such renaming is quite common in the auto industry; for example, Honda's Civic is called the same globally, which is much more straightforward.
As a car enthusiast, I have to say Nissan made a smart move. The TEANA name was originally only used in Asia, while North America has been using Altima since 1993. Now with global naming unification, the new car bearing the Altima badge preserves historical heritage while reinforcing its sporty DNA. Starting from the fifth generation, the chassis tuning leans toward handling, making the naming and positioning perfectly aligned. I've touched the actual car at an auto show, and the ALTIMA lettering on the rear looks more international than the old 'TEANA'. Actually, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passalt both use globally unified naming, so it's natural for Nissan to follow this strategy. The configuration hasn't been reduced after the renaming—instead, it upgraded with ProPILOT assist, keeping up with the times.
