After four years on the market, Nissan refreshed the Primera P11 even though the next-generation P12 was almost ready to enter on the assembly lines.
The Japanese carmaker was already known for its reliable vehicles. In the mid-size sedan segment, Nissan had a difficult job due to the highly competitive European market. That’s why it continued improving its cars more often than other brands.

In 1994, Nissan’s design department refreshed the car’s look with a new front fascia and broader headlights. The grille was split in two, separated by a horizontal slat wearing the Nissan’s badge. Depending on the trim option, the Primera featured body-colored door handles and mirrors, which was not so standard on other European vehicles in the compact segment. At the back, the flat horizontal trunk lid was available with an option for a small wing, creating a sporty image for the Japanese sedan.

Inside, Nissan was ready to embrace the biodesign era, which was about to begin. Its rounded instrument cluster was continued on the center stack, slightly tilted towards the driver. A significant safety improvement was the standard driver airbag. For the rear seats, the 1994 Primera sedan didn’t get a split-folding rear bench.

Under the hood, Nissan introduced a refreshed engine lineup that offered more power. The only engine that provided the same figures as the non-facelifted version was the 2.0-GT. Nissan tried the diesel segment as well and offered a 2.0-liter unit, but it was already outdated in terms of performance.