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.