It has been two weeks since Honda Malaysia last teased us with the all-new 2020 City images. With no confirmed launch date in hand, these images are the only source of hope and joy the fans currently have. However, with Honda Malaysia opening the 5th-gen City ordering books, we are sure that the sedan will arrive soon, probably in a month or two. Further, in a recent press release, Honda Malaysia MD and CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, confirmed the arrival of the all-new City RS trim. He said, “The launch of the all-new City RS with the new powertrain in Malaysia will be the world premiere and introduced for the first time ahead of other countries. We believe that this new model will excite the market with its advanced styling and engineering as Honda continues to lead the way in pioneering benchmarks and introducing Next Generation Advanced Technology that is ahead of its time.”

Today we are discussing a common dilemma many prospective buyers are going through, and that is: Whether to wait for the new City or instead go for Nissan Almera that’s available now?

We know that buying a car is a tough job. It involves a lot of thinking and, of course, includes your hard-earned money. Further, for most of the buyers, a new vehicle will serve as a companion for years to come. All these issues and more make the decision to buy a new car even more difficult. So, what to do when one has to choose between two amazing machines: the all-new 2020 Honda City and the Nissan Almera. While the arrival of the former is confirmed in the future, the later is available now. Both cars have a long, respectable standing in the D-segment sedan arena. Therefore, the only way to decide (if not an urgency which would mean going for the Almera) is by comparing the two on different parameters like design, cabin space and features, performance, and safety.

Note, we are short on information on the upcoming Honda City as all the details are kept under covers by Honda Malaysia. So, we’ll be basing the comparison on the Indian-spec 2020 City. Why? Well, that’s because the teaser images of the City resemble a lot with that of the model recently launched in India. Also, it has been confirmed that the 5th-gen local-spec City will not feature the 1.0-litre turbo engine available in the Thai market. So, let’s get started.

Also Read: 2020 Honda City unveiled in India ahead of July launch 

Dimensions 

Specifications	Nissan Almera	2020 Honda City
Length	4,425 mm	4,549 mm
Width	1,695 mm	1,748 mm
Height	1,500 mm	1,489 mm
Wheelbase	2,600 mm	2,600 mm
Trunk Space	490 litre	506 litres
Turning Radius	5.2 m	5.3 m

When comparing the two sedans based on dimensions, the all-new 2020 Honda City comes out to be lengthier and broader than the Almera. The two cars share the same wheelbase, which means the cabin space remains identical with the same legroom. However, the Almera is around 100 mm tall, so it offers more head-room. As far as the boot space is concerned, the City provides a slightly bigger boot. Overall, nothing extreme on this front on which you can base your decision.

Engine

Specifications	Nissan Almera	2020 Honda City
Type	4-CYL, 16-Valves, DOHC with CVTC and Drive-by-Wire Technology	Water Cooled 4-CYL i-VTEC with VTC	Water Cooled 4-CYL i-DTEC DOHC
Displacement	1,498 cc	1,498 cc	1,498 cc
Power	102 PS at 6,000 rpm	121 PS at 6,600 rpm	100 PS at 3,600
Torque	139 Nm at 4,000 rpm	145 Nm at 4,300 rpm	200 Nm at 1,750
Transmission	4-Speed Automatic	Manual: 6 Forward & 1 Reverse CVT	Manual:  6 Forward & 1 Reverse

A 1,498cc powerplant powers both Nissan Almera and 2020 Honda City. While the Indian-spec 2020 City is available in both petrol and diesel options, the Almera is offered only in the petrol option. We are not sure about Malaysian-spec City fuel-type; however, we’ll appreciate it if we get the same engine specifications as the Indian-spec model. Comparing the petrol options of the Almera and 2020 City, the latter makes less power (2PS) and more torque (61Nm).
The petrol-powered model in City is paired with a manual, while the Almera features an automatic transmission option.

Here, we feel that with two fuel-type options and 61 Nm more torque over Nissan Almera, the 2020 City wins the performance round.

Design

We say it every time, and we’ll repeat it - design is a subjective area with each individual having a taste/liking of his own. Both Nissan Almera and 2020 Honda City showcase distinct styling. However, the 2020 City might look up-scale and modern as it’s brand-new, more suited to today’s taste. The Nissan Almera, on the other hand, has been in the running a while and that has started to show on its face. Now, let us see the exterior features on offer in two cars -

Nissan Almera	Features	2020 Honda City
Multi-reflector Halogen with manual levelizer	Headlamps	Full LED with 9 LED Array
LED	Daytime Running Lights	Integrated LED DRLs
LED	Taillamps	Z-shaped 3D LED Units with Uniform Edge Light
-	Antenna	Shark Fin
Y-spoke 15-inch Alloy	Wheels	Diamond-cut 16-inch Multi-spoke Alloy Wheels
Outside Wing Mirror	Turn Indicators	LED Unit integrated on Door Mirror

 

Interior

Both Honda and Nissan have enabled their respective sedans with best-in-class quality and comfort features to enhance the driving pleasure. Let’s now compare the two cars cabin features and see which one is better -

Nissan Almera	Features	2020 Honda City
Remote Key/i-Key, Push Button Ignition	Smart Entry & Start System	Honda Smart Key System with Keyless Remote
Fabric	Seat Material	Exclusive Leather Upholstery with Contemporary Seat Design
Five Vision Meter	Multi-information Display	17.7 CMM HD Full Colour TFT Meter
Silver-trimmed with audio controls	Steering Wheel	Multi-functional 3-spoke with Telescopic and Tilt Adjuster
6.5-inch display with internet connectivity	Audio System	7.9-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio with Smartphone Connectivity, Voice Command Support, AM/FM, MP3/WAV, i-Pod/i-Phone, Bluetooth, USB
Manual/Auto	Air-con System	Fully Automatic with MAX COOL Mode
-	Rear AC Vents	With
-	Cabin Illumination	Leg Room Lamp, City Logo Projector

The winner is obviously, the all-new 2020 Honda City. The upcoming sedan offers more and better than the Almera. But, if you are happy with simple, hassle-free tech, then Almera is no less, it is loaded with all the required cabin comforting and utility features.

Safety & Security

To comment on this aspect, we’ll first have to see what the two cars offer. So, let’s check out 2020 City and Almera specs sheet for safety features -

Nissan Almera	Features	2020 Honda City
Driver & Passenger	SRS Airbags	6
-	Vehicle Stability Control	With Traction Control & Electronic Stability
-	Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert	NA
-	Hill-start Assist Control	With
With	Anti-lock Braking System with EBD & BA	With

The 5th-gen City packs more active and passive safety features. The Indian-spec model is further accompanied by safety options like Lane Watch Camera, Multi-Angle Rear Camera with Guidelines, Rear Parking Sensor, Agile Handling Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Automatic Headlight Control with Light Sensor, Auto-Dimming Inside Rear-View Mirror, and much more.

Price & Variants

In Malaysia, the Nissan Almera is available in two variant options - 1.5L E A/T and 1.5L VL A/T, priced at RM 65,699 and RM 75,419, respectively. The ongoing Honda City is offered at a starting price of RM 75,295, and seeing all that the 2020 City model is bringing to the table, we expect a healthy hike.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that the 2020 City is bigger, more technically enhanced, and slightly powerful than the Almera. But in the end, it all comes down to price, budget. The 2020 City is expected to receive a price hike, making it more expensive than the Almera sedan. So, we’d say if your pocket allows wait and go for the new City. If not, then Almera is your pick - it’s in the budget, is spacious, and packs all the necessary features (both comforting and safety).

Also Read: Honda City - Old vs. New