Altima
The 2.0 VC turbo engine is now rated with 12 fewer horsepower and 6 pound-feet less torque. No reason is listed for the reduction.
Altima Platinum no longer offers a variable-compression ratio turbo or front-wheel drive version, only the 2.5-liter engine with standard all-wheel drive. Altima 2.5S no longer offers optional all-wheel drive, you have to step up to SV or higher.
High beam assist and Lane Departure Warning are now standard. Rear automatic braking is now optional on 2.5S and standard on all other models.
Adaptive cruise control, auto up/down 1-touch front passenger window, dual zone a/c, rear a/c vents, automatic climate control are all no longer standard on SV; some of these features are in the new SV Premium Package. Homelink now only comes on Platinum.
Armada
2021 Nissan Armada courtesy Nissan News
The Armada gets redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, hood, front fenders, taillights and front and rear bumpers. The front grille and tailgate sport a brand new Nissan badge, one that will spread to all the other models.
Redesigned Nissan Logo
Under the hood output is up by ten, for an even 400 horsepower. Torque is up, too: 413 pound-feet. These are the same figures as the revised Titan pickup. Strangely, the Armada keeps the older 7-speed automatic instead of the new 9-speed in the new Titan.
A full-size spare is now only standard on the SV with 18-inch wheels, otherwise a donut spare is supplied.
Automtic high beam assist and Intelligent Driver Alertness warning are new on the Armada and standard on all models. Trailer Sway Control is also new, but only standard on SL and Platinum. Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent Lane Intervention are all standard now.
CD Player is no longer standard on SV, only SL and Platinum. A new wireless phone charger is standard on all models, as is Wi-Fi (subscription required) and wireless Apple CarPlay.
The dashboard is simplified, at the cost of an oil pressure and voltage gauges, which are no longer present. Coolant temperature is still shown. In between the large tachometer and speedometer is a 7-inch high-resolution display that can monitor driver assistance systems and control trip computer functions among other things.
Rain-sensitive wipers and Intelligent Around View Monitor are no longer offered on SL, now only standard on Platinum.
Frontier
The 2020 Frontier was suppossed to be a one-year model: new 3.8 V6 engine, old everything else. Due no doubt to COVID-19, the brand new Frontier will be a 2022. The 2021 will have a short run, with no changes from 2020.
GT-R
The 50th Anniversary and Track Editions are discontinued, one for obvious reasons and the other to reduce redundancy.
Kicks
2021 Nissan Kicks Courtesy Nissan News
A new grille, wheel designs and colors refresh Kicks on the outside, while the inside gets new seats, a storage console (SV/SR) and new trim materials.
Kicks SV and SR now have disc brakes at all four corners. Front dics on all models are almost an inch larger in diameter.
For sportier handling, the steering ratio is now tighter, reducing steering turns by 10% lock-to-lock. Turning diameter is unchaged at an impressive 34.1 feet.
All models now have standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment center is standard on S while SV and SR get an 8-inch color version.
Intelligent Cruise Control comes to the Kicks for 2021, standard on SV and SR, it keeps a set distance to the car in front.
A heated steering wheel is now optional on the SR, part of the Premium Package.
Leaf
Base price is up by $20 on the S and SL Plus. More on other models.
A heated steering wheel and heated side view mirrors are now standard on SV models.
Leather seats are no longer standard on SL; they are optional.
Maxima
The Maxima tree has been significantly trimmed: Maxima S, SL and Platinum Reserve are discontinued, leaving Maxima SV, Maxima SR and Maxima Platinum. This change as well as a price increase ups the price of entry to Nissan's premium sedan by almost $3000. The model change also means leather seats, heated front seats, driver's power lumbar control, heated side mirrors, Intelligent Cruise Control, and a navigation system are now standard.
NissanConnect services, which include automatic collision notification, are now standard.
A 40th Anniversary Package commemorates the beginning of the Maxima in 1980 as a rear-wheel drive, inline six-cylinder sports sedan, a top trim level on the Datsun 810. The original was also offered as a station wagon and with a diesel engine. The 40th Anniversary Package is only offered on the Maxima Platinum and includes black gloss wheels, roof and other trim. Inside red leather, piping and other trim adorns the interior. White gauge faces recall the third generation so-called 4DSC Maximas. Heated rear seats, previously in Platinum Reserve, are included as well.
Murano
20-inch tires, standard on SL and Platinum, are now optional on SV. LED headlights are now standard on all models, not just Platinum. Automatic high beams are new and standard.
Intelligent Cruise Control and Front Parking Sonar are now standard on SV, previously optional. Intelligent Lane Intervention (lane departure warning and lane keeping), Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Parking Sonar and Rear Automatic Braking are all standard on all models, now. Front Parking Sonar is standard on SV.
Homelink has been removed from the SV as standard, but can be added to any Murano as an accessory installed by the dealer.
NV Cargo
The NV 3500 S Cargo Van is no longer offered; the 3500 SV and SL are still available. Navigation with NissanConnect is standard on 3500.
NV Passenger
SV now has standard navigation, NissanConnect, voice command and satellite radio. NV SV Passenger Van no longer offers the optional V8, which is now standard on and only available on the SL.
NV200
Cruise control is now standard. Rear parking sonar is now standard on SV, not optional on S. A fifth color is now offered: Gun Metallic. Base price is up by $900.
Rogue
2021 Nissan Rogue courtesy Nissan Newsroom
A significantly redesigned Rogue has a more powerful engine, more standard safety features and a sharp new look.
The 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder sounds similar on paper, but this newer version now features direct fuel injection and is good for 11 more horsepower (181) and 6 pound-feet more torque (175). Fuel mileage is also increased, now 27 city and 35 highway for the front-wheel drive S model. The continuously variable transmission is unchanged.
Rear seat accomodations have improved, with more headroom, legroom and hip room for rear occupants. Maximum cargo volume with the rear seat folded also improves, now 74.1 cubic feet, up up 4.1. The look of the interior is much more premium, with rich-looking materials and even a floating center console with storage underneath the shifter and cupholders. Another nice feature: pull-up sunshades on the rear side windows are available. Platinum models even have separate temperature controls for the rear A/C and heating vents.
Rear parking sonar is now standard. Front parking sonar is now available, standard on Platinum and optional on SL. The Around View Monitor is now standard on all models except S. A new Intelligent Driver Alertness monitor warns the driver if he becomes drowsy or innattentive.
Previous Rogue models with the Nissan Intelligent Key has buttons for entry only on the front doors and liftgate, the new Rogue has them on all five exterior entry points, a standard feature on SV, SL and Platinum.
The previous conventional shift lever has been replaced with an electronic joystick. Older drivers will not like having to remember to press the "P" button on top to select "Park." Platinum models get a fully digital gauge cluster.
Rogue Sport
After a refresh for 2020, the Rogue Sport gets standard 17-inch wheels (previously optional) and a larger alternator (120 amps).
Heated steering wheel and heated front seats are now standard on SV (previously optional) and still standard on SL.
Sentra
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on all models. Daytime running lights and LED headlights are no longer offered on SV, but still standard on SR. SR models now can offer a Wi-Fi hotspot and NissanConnect remote services.
SR offers a new paint scheme: two tone electric blue with a black roof.
Titan
No changes.
Versa
No changes.