Nissan Almera: Top alternatives

Whilst the brand-new, fourth-generation Nissan Almera has already been launched in Thailand, it is only set to hit the Malaysian market sometime around next year. So this means that if you are in the market right now looking for an affordable,

B-segment family sedan which will not only be cheap to buy but also prove cheap to run, own and maintain, then the outgoing avatar of the Almera is one of your best bets.

Initially launched on the world stage in late 2011, the current iteration of the Nissan Almera has proven to be quite a hit in many countries, including Malaysia. Built upon Renault-Nissan’s V platform, the third-generation Almera arrived on our shores back in 2013 and it wasn’t long before the model gained traction among buyers in the region.

So how much does the outgoing model of the Nissan Almera price tag reads, and what all variants of it are on offer? Take a look at the table below for the answers.

2019 Nissan Almera variants	Price
1.5L E AT	RM 69,888
1.5L E AT (Black Edition)	RM 69,888
1.5L VL AT	RM 79,888
1.5L VL AT (Black Edition)	RM 79,888

As you can see, the Nissan Almera is quite an affordable sedan - with prices ranging between roughly RM 70,000 to RM 80,000 for the entry-level and fully-loaded variants. In fact, even in their fancier Black Edition avatars, neither of the two Almera variants suffers from any inflation in their base price.

However, if you do not want to go the Nissan way, you do have some solid alternatives to look out for. So let’s take a close look at two of the most promising ones in this article. Beginning with…

1. Honda City

Considered to be among the mightiest competitors in the B-segment sedan corner, the Honda City has long been one of the most popular and well-liked cars in the country. While there is an all-new model coming up, for now, the outgoing City seems to be holding its own quite well.

So how much does the Honda City cost when compared to the Nissan Almera? The City costs from a relatively-affordable RM 73,836 for the base S variant to the heavy-on-the-wallet Hybrid trim that comes in at RM 92,172. Let’s assume that you are interested in the E variant of the Honda City, which costs nearly as much as the fully-loaded Almera, what more can you expect for the extra dough?

Measurements	Nissan Almera 1.5L VL AT (Black Edition)	Honda City 1.5L E
Length	4,425 mm	4,442 mm
Width	1,695 mm	1,694 mm
Height	1,500 mm	1,477 mm
Wheelbase	2,600 mm	2,600 mm
Boot Capacity	490 litres	536 litres

 

Clearly, the Honda City is longer than the Almera, offers more cargo space in the boot, and looks more well-proportioned thanks to its lower overall height. Aside from these benefits, the City specs sheet is pretty jam-packed with features as well.

Some of the most notable of which are as follows:

• Four airbags (instead of the Almera’s two)
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Tilt & telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel
• Auto-retractable & power-adjustable door mirrors
• ECON mode button
• Cruise control
• 8 cup holders
• Paddle shifters
• Speed-sensitive auto-volume adjustment
• 6.8-inch touchscreen (instead of the Almera’s 6.75-inch screen)
• HDMI connectivity

As for performance, the Honda City’s 1.5-litre four-popper produces 118 hp and 145 Nm, compared to the Almera’s 100 hp and 139 Nm. Mated to a CVT instead of an old-school 4-speed auto, the City gets to a top speed 190 kmph (10 kmph faster) and touches 100 kmph in 11 seconds - a full 3.5 seconds quicker than the Nissan.

2. Toyota Vios

The latest iteration of the Toyota Vios is one of the newest members of the B-segment sedans in the country. The Toyota nameplate has become synonymous with unbeatable reliability record, long-lasting build quality, and for vehicles that hold their value very well - the new Vios, by default, possesses all these desirable qualities.

But does the Toyota Vios propose a better deal when compared to its Nissan rival? Let’s begin with the price, and since we are aiming to keep this as fair a fight as possible, we will look at the 1.5 E variant of the Vios in this case. Priced at RM 81,200 (approximately RM 1,200 more than the top Almera), this particular variant sits right in the middle of the whole Vios line-up.

Now we all know that Toyota, as a brand, has significant leverage over even the most promising brands in the market. However, do you get anything more for your cash than just brand clout with this one?

Measurements	Nissan Almera 1.5L VL AT (Black Edition)	Toyota Vios 1.5 E
Length	4,425 mm	4,425 mm
Width	1,695 mm	1,730 mm
Height	1,500 mm	1,475 mm
Wheelbase	2,600 mm	2,550 mm
Boot Capacity	490 litres	506 litres

 

Straight away, it becomes apparent that the Nissan boasts a longer wheelbase than the Vios - 2,600 mm vs. 2,550 mm. This extra 50 mm of wheelbase will inevitably result in more legroom for rear-seat passengers in the Almera. However, the Vios fights back with a wider body and larger boot -- the former allows for better shoulder room whilst the latter’s benefits are obvious.

When we talk about features, the Toyota Vios specs sheet isn’t exactly lacking any of the basics. But it is the following items that demand your attention on the brochure:

• Seven airbags (dual front, front sides, curtain & driver’s knee)
• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control Assist (TCA)
• Hill Start Assist (HSA)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Speed-sensitive door locking mechanism
• Surround-view parking camera system
• Acoustic front windshield
• Part-LED tail lamps
• Power-retractable & auto-folding wing mirrors
• 6.8-inch touch-multimedia head unit (instead of the Almera’s 6.75-inch unit)
• Drive mode selector

Moving on… How about the Toyota’s mechanicals under the bonnet, and is the overall performance of the Vios any good?

The new Toyota Vios is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that develops a modest 106 hp and 140 Nm of maximum pulling force - both barely more than what the Nissan Almera’s motor produces. However, given that the Vios is a newer car than the Almera, its internals are unsurprisingly a touch more modern, too.

Therefore, if you were to give it the beans, the Toyota Vios will make it from a standstill to 100 kmph in 11 seconds -- making it as quick as the Honda City -- eventually touching Vmax at an indicated 175 kmph, which is about 5 kmph slower than the Nissan Almera’s maximum of 180 kmph.

Finally, there’s the Toyota Vios party-piece, its astonishing (claimed) fuel economy. Thanks to an incredibly efficient 7-step CVT, the new Vios can achieve a combined fuel economy of 19.6 kmpl - comfortably beating out the Nissan Almera’s 14.9 kmpl.

Also Read: Nissan Almera: All you need to know