The second generation of the Nissan Almera was restyled in 2003.
The three-door version was received new engines, a new interior, and an updated exterior look.

The Almera was a compact vehicle built as a 3- or 5-door hatchback, or a 4-door sedan. The 3-door version was considered the sportiest, due to its look. But underneath the skin there was the same hatchback, but with fewer doors.

The rounded look of the Almera was enhanced with the introduction of the new headlights, which were bigger and featured a clear-lens over the headlamps. And they were bigger. As a result, the grille was updated, and, to complete the changes, the taillights were redesigned.

Inside, there were more modifications to the car. The center stack featured a retractable lid on top, which covered the navigation system if the car was fitted with one. The instrument cluster layout was re-designed, with the fuel gauge and the coolant temperature on the right. The center place was taken by the speedometer and the tachometer went on the left, where the fuel-gauge was installed on the pre-facelift version.

For the engine compartment, the facelifted Almera received new diesel units from its new alliance partner, the French car-maker Renault. For the gasoline units, the Almera kept its Nissan engines of 1.5- and 1.8-liter.

The second generation of the Almera was no longer designed in Japan, resulting in a classy European hatchback built on a platform developed by Nissan and its new ally, Renault.
Renault built the first modern hatchback in the world. It was the Renault 16 in 1965, and it constantly improved and changed them. Nissan, on the other hand, was not that good at that. Thanks to the French help, it created a car designed around the driver and focused on a family. The Almera/Pulsar was more of a teenager car or for a young couple in the three-door version.

Its rounded design was a reminiscence of the bio-design era but enriched with a few sharp angles on the front grille that belonged to the new-edge-design trend. Its corner-mounted turn signals with clear glass and yellow bulbs made the car looks sportier. Unlike its five-door sibling, the three-door version featured longer doors and sloped-down fixed rear windows. Even the roof was slightly sloped, with a small kick above the C-pillars and a lip above the rear windscreen to aerodynamically enhance the car.

Inside, the curved lines dominated the dashboard. Only the navigation screen (offered as an option) and the center vents featured squared lines. In the instrument panel, the speedometer took the center stage flanked by the tachometer on the left and the fuel and coolant-temperature gauges on the right. The bucket-seats were designed more for comfort and provided little bolstering. In the back, Nissan installed a split-folding bench, fit for two adults, but the legroom was limited.

Under the hood, Nissan installed a choice of own or Renault-sourced turbo-diesel and gasoline engines. It paired them with a five-speed manual and an option for a four-speed automatic for the 1.8-liter version.

The Nissan Almera/Pulsar is a small family car that was specifically tailored for customers who would not even look at a station wagon.
Combining a roomy interior with great performance and handling, the 1995 Almera seems like a good choice for dropping kids at school on busy weekdays. Powered by two gasoline units with capacities of 1.4- and 1.6-liter respectively as well as a 2.0-liter diesel engine, the Almera offered decent power and great handling in one compact package. The line-up later received a 2.0 GTi beefed-up version with a power output of 147 hp that could push the car to a top speed of 130 mph.