Nissan Teana: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan Teana in this catalogue is a Sedan offered across three generations and five listed production phases from February 2003 to January 2020.
The Nissan Teana in this catalogue is a Sedan offered across three generations and five listed production phases from February 2003 to January 2020. The choice depends mainly on priorities: the third-generation 2.5 CVT combines 173 hp with the lowest measured combined consumption of 7.5 l/100 km, while the third-generation 3.5 CVT delivers 249 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, and has the highest listed top speed at 230 km/h. Earlier cars provide more variety, including 4-speed Automatic and 6-speed Manual gearboxes, CVTs, FWD, and AWD. Prices are not included in the data, so the comparison below explains what each version offers technically rather than claiming which one costs less.
Nissan Teana generations: what changed?
The first-generation Nissan Teana was produced from February 2003 to November 2005 as a Sedan with seven versions. It offers the broadest transmission choice: 2.0 AT, 2.4 AT, 2.5 AT, 3.5 MT, and 3.5 CVT specifications appear in the range. FWD is standard for most versions, but the 160 hp 2.5 AT has AWD. The 3.5 MT is the only 6-speed Manual in the supplied data.
The first-generation restyling ran from December 2005 to May 2008. It remained a Sedan but reduced the range to four versions: 2.0 AT, 2.4 AT, and two 3.5 CVT variants distinguished by 231 hp and 245 hp. Compared with the original generation, there is no listed Manual or AWD choice. Ground clearance is either 135 mm or 140 mm, depending on version.
The second generation ran from February 2008 to May 2012 as a Sedan with five versions. Its range includes the 136 hp 2.0 AT, three distinct 2.5 CVT specifications with 167 hp, 182 hp, or 185 hp, and the 249 hp 3.5 CVT. The 167 hp 2.5 CVT is the only AWD version; all others are FWD.
The second-generation restyling covered June 2012 through January 2014 and retained the Sedan body and five-version structure. The same main choices appear, including the 136 hp 2.0 AT, the 167 hp AWD 2.5 CVT, the 182 hp and 185 hp FWD 2.5 CVT variants, and the 249 hp 3.5 CVT. One recorded change concerns the AWD car’s CO₂ figure: it is 225 g/km in the restyling data, compared with 228 g/km before restyling. Other listed performance and consumption figures for that version are unchanged.
The third generation was produced from February 2014 to January 2020 as a Sedan with two versions. Both use a CVT and FWD: the 173 hp 2.5 CVT and the 249 hp 3.5 CVT. This generation has the smallest range, but both versions have complete measured performance and consumption figures and are listed as Euro 5.
Nissan Teana engine specs and version comparison
All listed engines are Gasoline units with distributed injection (multi-point), four valves per cylinder, and no boost. Where stated, the engine position is Front, transverse. Repeated version names are separated below by output and production phase.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Cylinders and layout | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, 2.0 AT (136 hp) | 136 hp | 187 Nm | 1998 cc | 4, Inline | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation, 2.0 AT (150 hp) | 150 hp | 201 Nm | 1998 cc | 4, Inline | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation, 2.4 AT | 173 hp | 225 Nm | 2349 cc | 6, V-shaped | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation, 2.5 AT | 160 hp | 240 Nm | 2488 cc | 4, Inline | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation, 3.5 MT | 231 hp | 333 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation, 3.5 CVT (231 hp) | 231 hp | 333 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| First generation, 3.5 CVT (245 hp) | 245 hp | 330 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| First-generation restyling, 2.0 AT | 136 hp | 187 Nm | 1998 cc | 4, Inline | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling, 2.4 AT | 173 hp | 220 Nm | 2349 cc | 6, V-shaped | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 CVT (231 hp) | 231 hp | 334 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| First-generation restyling, 3.5 CVT (245 hp) | 245 hp | 330 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation/restyling, 2.0 AT | 136 hp | 187 Nm | 1998 cc | 4, Inline | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation/restyling, 2.5 CVT (167 hp) | 167 hp | 240 Nm | 2488 cc | 4, Inline | Variable | AWD |
| Second generation/restyling, 2.5 CVT (182 hp) | 182 hp | 228 Nm | 2496 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation/restyling, 2.5 CVT (185 hp) | 185 hp | 232 Nm | 2496 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation/restyling, 3.5 CVT | 249 hp | 326 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation, 2.5 CVT | 173 hp | 234 Nm | 2488 cc | 4, Inline | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation, 3.5 CVT | 249 hp | 312 Nm | 3498 cc | 6, V-shaped | Variable | FWD |
Power density helps distinguish engines whose version names look similar. The first-generation 150 hp 2.0 AT produces about 75.1 hp per litre, compared with about 68.1 hp per litre for the 136 hp 2.0 AT. Among the second-generation 2.5 CVT choices, the 167 hp engine provides about 67.1 hp per litre, the 182 hp version about 72.9 hp per litre, and the 185 hp version about 74.1 hp per litre. The 249 hp 3.5 CVT versions produce about 71.2 hp per litre, while the third-generation 173 hp 2.5 CVT produces about 69.5 hp per litre.
Nissan Teana performance and mpg
The third-generation 3.5 CVT is the performance choice. Its 249 hp and 312 Nm move a 1589 kg kerb weight, equal to about 6.4 kg per horsepower. It reaches 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and has a 230 km/h top speed. Consumption is 13.2 l/100 km in the city, 7.0 l/100 km on the highway, and 9.3 l/100 km combined.
The second-generation 3.5 CVT also has 249 hp, but torque is higher at 326 Nm and kerb weight is 1590 kg. Its weight-to-power result is likewise about 6.4 kg per horsepower. Acceleration to 100 km/h remains 7.2 seconds, but top speed is 210 km/h. Consumption is 13.8 l/100 km city, 8.2 l/100 km highway, and 10.2 l/100 km combined. The third-generation equivalent therefore uses 0.6 l/100 km less in the city, 1.2 l/100 km less on the highway, and 0.9 l/100 km less combined, while adding 20 km/h to the listed top speed.
For lower consumption, the third-generation 2.5 CVT is the strongest all-round candidate. It has 173 hp and 234 Nm, accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds, and reaches 210 km/h. Its consumption is 10.2 l/100 km city, 6.0 l/100 km highway, and 7.5 l/100 km combined. Compared with its generation’s 3.5 CVT, it gives up 76 hp and takes 2.6 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h, but uses 1.8 l/100 km less combined.
The second-generation 182 hp 2.5 CVT reaches 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and 200 km/h, with consumption of 12.1 l/100 km city, 8.0 l/100 km highway, and 9.5 l/100 km combined. The 167 hp AWD 2.5 CVT takes 9.8 seconds and reaches 180 km/h; consumption is 12.5, 7.5, and 9.4 l/100 km respectively. Thus, the AWD version uses 0.1 l/100 km less combined but is 0.2 seconds slower and has a 20 km/h lower top speed. Performance and consumption for the 185 hp 2.5 CVT were not measured.
The 136 hp 2.0 AT is the slowest measured specification: 12.5 seconds to 100 km/h and a 180 km/h top speed. Its measured consumption is 13.2 l/100 km city, 8.1 l/100 km highway, and 10.0 l/100 km combined. Despite its smaller displacement, that combined figure is 0.5 l/100 km higher than the second-generation 182 hp 2.5 CVT and 2.5 l/100 km higher than the third-generation 2.5 CVT.
For the original first generation, the 160 hp 2.5 AT reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and 200 km/h; fuel-consumption figures were not measured. The 173 hp 2.4 AT needs 10.7 seconds and reaches 196 km/h; its consumption was not measured in the original generation, while the restyled version records 13.7 l/100 km city, 8.3 l/100 km highway, and 10.3 l/100 km combined.
The first-generation 3.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and 210 km/h; consumption was not measured. The 231 hp 3.5 CVT also lacks measured performance and consumption in the original-generation entry. In the restyling, the 231 hp 3.5 CVT records 7.9 seconds and 210 km/h, but consumption remains not measured. The 245 hp 3.5 CVT records 7.9 seconds, 210 km/h, 15.0 l/100 km city, 8.4 l/100 km highway, and 10.8 l/100 km combined.
Nissan Teana dimensions, weight, clearance, and wheels
Exterior length, width, and height were not measured in the supplied data, so a Nissan Teana dimensions comparison cannot be made here. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and selected wheel sizes are available.
The original first generation spans 1440–1589 kg in kerb weight where measured. Its gross weight is 1900 kg for the 2.0 AT, 2.4 AT, and 2.5 AT versions, and 2040 kg for the 3.5 MT and 245 hp 3.5 CVT; gross weight for the 231 hp 3.5 CVT was not measured. Ground clearance is 135 mm, and the tank holds 70 litres. Wheel sizes were not measured.
The first-generation restyling spans 1455–1590 kg in kerb weight and 1900–2040 kg in gross weight. Ground clearance is 140 mm for the 2.0 AT, 2.4 AT, and 245 hp 3.5 CVT, while the 231 hp 3.5 CVT has 135 mm. Tank capacity is 70 litres, and wheel sizes were not measured.
Second-generation cars range from 1455 kg for the 2.0 AT to 1590 kg for the 3.5 CVT. Gross weight ranges from 1900 to 2090 kg. The 2.0 AT has 135 mm of ground clearance; all listed 2.5 CVT and 3.5 CVT versions have 150 mm. Every version has a 70-litre tank. The 182 hp and 185 hp 2.5 CVT entries list 205/65 R16 and 215/55 R17 wheels; wheel sizes for the other versions were not measured. These measurements apply to both the original second generation and its restyling.
The third-generation 2.5 CVT weighs 1482 kg kerb and 1950 kg gross, with 150 mm clearance, a 68-litre tank, and 215/60 R16, 215/55 R17, or 235/45 R18 wheels. The 3.5 CVT weighs 1589 kg kerb and 2025 kg gross, also with 150 mm clearance and a 68-litre tank; its listed wheels are 215/55 R17 and 235/45 R18. Moving from the 2.5 CVT to the 3.5 CVT adds 107 kg of kerb weight and 76 hp.
Which Nissan Teana version should you buy?
For the best balance of measured performance and economy, choose the third-generation 2.5 CVT. It combines 173 hp, 234 Nm, 9.8-second acceleration, a 210 km/h top speed, and 7.5 l/100 km combined consumption. At 1482 kg, it carries about 8.6 kg per horsepower. It also has Euro 5 classification and the widest listed wheel-size selection.
Choose the third-generation 3.5 CVT when acceleration and top speed matter more than fuel use. It cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 2.6 seconds compared with the same-generation 2.5 CVT, raises top speed by 20 km/h, and improves the weight-to-power ratio from about 8.6 to about 6.4 kg per horsepower. The trade-off is 1.8 l/100 km more combined consumption.
Choose the second-generation 167 hp 2.5 CVT if AWD is essential. It offers 240 Nm, the highest torque among the listed 2.5-litre engines, and 150 mm of clearance. Against the 182 hp FWD 2.5 CVT, it sacrifices 15 hp and 20 km/h of top speed while adding AWD. Its kerb weight is 51 kg higher.
The second-generation 185 hp 2.5 CVT provides the highest output among the listed 2.5 CVT variants, beating the 182 hp version by 3 hp and 4 Nm with the same 1512 kg kerb weight. However, its acceleration, top speed, and fuel consumption were not measured. Buyers who want a fully quantified choice should therefore prefer the 182 hp version, whose figures are available.
Choose the original first-generation 3.5 MT only when the 6-speed Manual is the deciding feature. It has 231 hp, 333 Nm, 7.9-second acceleration, and a 210 km/h top speed, but consumption was not measured. For an early Automatic with AWD, the 160 hp 2.5 AT is the alternative; it produces 240 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The data does not include Nissan Teana price, engine-oil capacity, reliability records, problems, or comparisons with the Altima, Maxima, Camry, Accord, Crown, Mark X, Sylphy, Almera, or Bluebird. Those factors cannot be used to recommend a version here. Based strictly on the measured catalogue figures, the third-generation 2.5 CVT is the economy-led choice, the third-generation 3.5 CVT is the performance choice, and the second-generation 167 hp 2.5 CVT is the AWD choice.