2019 Nissan Model Year Changes
Edited 12/5/2018: Added Maxima and Murano. Edited 12/28/2018: Added GT-R, NV Cargo and Passenger full-size vans.
370Z
The 370Z Roadster no longer offers a manual transmission, only a seven-speed automatic. The 6-speed manual continues to be standard on the Coupe.
The 370Z is right off a 2018 slight refresh. Models consolidate, with the Sport Touring model replacing the Tech and the Touring models.
Auto dimming rearview mirror with a rearview monitor is now standard on all models.
Altima
The Altima has been completely redesigned. There are two big changes, the first being: Two new engines include a direct fuel-injected 2.5 four cylinder, gaining nine horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque (188 HP and 180 lb-ft). The peak torque is produced at a lower RPM, which will make the engine feel particularly spunky while driving around town. Fuel mileage should also improve.
The second big change is: Replacing the 3.5 V6 is the variable compression ratio 2.0-liter 4 cylinder turbo engine first offered in the Infiniti QX50. Horsepower is down by 22 to 248 from the old V6, but peak torque is up by 22 (273 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM). Along with the lighter weight of the smaller engine, this version of the Altima should be quicker under most any circumstance, and get significantly better fuel mileage than the V6.
The Altima joins the small family of mid-size family cars that offer all-wheel-drive. Strangely, the 2.0-liter turbo Altima doesn't offer all-wheel-drive, even though its cousin, the QX50 does. All-wheel-drive is only offered on the 2.5-liter 4 cylinder engine. As before, all engines come with a continuously variable transaxle (CVT), dubbed Xtronic.
Altima SV, SL and Platinum will come standard with Automatic High Beam Headlights, Intelligent Cruise Control (can bring the car to a complete stop in a traffic jam and then start up again when traffic moves), Steering Assist, and Autonomous Braking Front and Rear. All except the Altima S will come standard with Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. All models will have standard front collision warning, Forward Autonomous Emergency Braking, and a Driver Alert Monitor (warns if the driver becomes inattentive).
Armada
Armada gets a new standard Rear Door Alert System. Designed to remind drivers if its possible they forgot something in the back seat, like a container of shrimp fried rice, Nissan carefully avoids selling it as a safety system. If a driver opens a rear door is opened prior to driving and the driver doesn't open the door at the end of the trip, it shows a message on the dash and beeps the horn to remind them. Obviously this could help prevent child deaths from forgetting a child in the back seat, but Nissan obviously doesn't want to attract the liability in case the system fails or a driver ignores it.
An Intelligent Rear View Mirror can act as a standard mirror or a monitor for a high resolution rear camera at the click of a switch. Its standard on Platinum and Platinum Reserve.
Intelligent Cruise Control (adaptive cruise that can slow down to match the speed of traffic), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking are also now all standard on all models. Parking Sonar, front and rear, is also now standard on all models.
A new top trim level, Platinum Reserve, gets unique seating materials and dark chrome exterior trim.
Frontier
No changes.
GT-R
No changes.
Kicks
No changes, though the Easy Tire Fill Alert is now also standard on S.
Leaf
No changes.
Maxima
Premier of the refreshed Maxima was at the LA Auto Show.
The 2019 Maxima has a refreshed, more aggressive appearance, including the larger, deeper grille. New tail lights, new standard LED headlights, a new rear fascia and new quad tailpipes complete the picture. A new richer interior includes diamond-quilted seat inserts on Platinum models.
New safety features include standard Rear Door Alert, a system that reminds driver's if they left something or someone in the back seat. Traffic sign recognition and Intelligent Lane Intervention are available. Knee airbags for the driver and front passenger have been added, as well as seat mounted rear side airbags. This in addition to frontal, front side and curtain airbags bring the explosive pillow count up to ten.
Intelligent Cruise Control standard availability spreads to include SV models. Intelligent Driver Alertness, a warning if the vehicle detects a drowsy or inattentive driver, is now standard across the board. High Beam Assist is new, and standard on SR and Platinum.
New USB-C ports will help future-proof the interface between driver or passengers and their tech, allowing native connection for the newest Apple products and faster charging. Memory seats and side mirrors with reverse-tilt, auto dimming side mirrors and an Around-View Monitor are now optional on SR and still standard on Platinum. Navigation no longer comes on Maxima S. Homelink no longer comes on S or SV.
Heated rear seats are new for Maxima, standard on Platinum and optional on SR.
Murano
The Murano is refreshed for the 2019 model year, with its world premiere at the 2018 LA Auto Show. The Maxima and Murano are examples of Nissan's new "V-motion" design, particularly the new front grilles. The Murano also gains redesigned headlights and tail lights, new LED fog lights, new wheel designs and three new available paint colors. New safety equipment includes side impact airbags for the outboard rear passengers, a knee airbag for the front passenger, and Rear Door Alert. Safety Shield 360 is standard on Platinum and optional on SL. Driver Alertness warning is now standard.
Navigation is no longer standard or even offered on Murano S and SV. It is still standard on SL and Platinum.
Motion-activation has been added to the power liftgate on the SL and Platinum: wave your foot under the bumper in the right spot with the keys on you and the liftgate will open; no hands needed.
NV
Cargo versions of the S and SV V8 can now have rear doors with glass. Power windows are now standard on all cargo models. Cruise control is no longer offered on S, but still standard on SL and SV. A 7-inch infotainment system is now standard on all models.
NV200
No changes to this small cargo van.
Pathfinder
Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are now standard on SV; they are still standard on SL and Platinum. Rear parking sonar is now standard on all Pathfinders, including S. LED headlights standard on SL now, in addition to Platinum.
Two new USB-C type outlets are added, in addition to the 4 older type-A USB outlets. These will provide a fast charge for newer Apple iDevices and even power a newer Apple laptop directly.
Rogue
Lane Departure Warning and Automatic High Beams are standard on all models.
New Rear Door Alert is standard on all models. If a rear door is opened before a trip starts it alerts drivers if they don't open the rear door when they arrive.
A 4-way power passenger seat is now standard on SL.
A new rear parking sonar warning system with Rear Automatic Braking is new and standard on SV and SL.
Rogue Sport
Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on SV and SL; the system includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and automatic high beams. Most of these systems were optional on SL last year. ProPILOT Assist is standard on SL and optional on SV and adds Lane Departure Prevention and Intelligent Cruise Control. These were optional on SL last year.
Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Simple Automatic Emergency Braking without pedestrian detection are all standard on Rogue Sport S.
Rear Door Alert is new and standard on all trims: if a rear door is opened before a trip begins, a warning goes off to remind the driver to check the back seat after the engine is turned off.
New stereos have standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Titan
Titan gets the Rear Door Alert system on Crew Cab and King Cab models. The system alerts a driver if they had opened a rear door at any point in the trip, reminding them to check the back seat.
All Titans get a new 7-inch touch screen audio system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A new premium stereo by Fender is an option on some Crew Cab and King Cab models.
Titan XD gets a standard gooseneck hitch mount. Considering the large number of users towing heavy loads with this truck, this will save a lot of time a trouble.
Versa Note
A mid-year change already made the backup camera with a 7-inch color touchscreen audio system and variable intermittent wipers standard. For 2019 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available with optional NissanConnect.
Versa Sedan
A backup monitor is now standard on all trims.
Easy Fill Tire Alert is now optional on Versa Sedan SV, a system that beeps the horn while you're adding or removing air from a tire when you reach the correct pressure.