Nissan Almera N17 (2012-Present) Expert Review

Overall Rating

The Almera slots itself at the bargain end of the B-segment sedan category. Unfortunately, it feels it, from the flimsy interior plastics, to the way it handles, to the way the engine makes a racket when pushed. As basic family transport, it’s decent enough, but it’s now been outclassed by newer rivals.

Performance

The 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine is sluggish at times, requiring lots of revs to really get going. Unfortunately that’s where it gets almost unbearably loud. The auto transmission is quick to sense when to kick down, although the shifts themselves are leisurely, and it tends to hunt through gears when going uphill.

Ride & Handling

The Almera rides fairly firmly, but with a pleasantly-damped feel to it. There’s noticeable body roll when hustled through corners, and the low grip levels and vague steering doesn’t inspire much confidence at higher speeds. Brakes are adequate, but the car feels unstable under heavy braking.

Comfort

High revs aside, the engine is smooth and hushed at low speeds. The Almera also keeps out a reasonable amount of wind and tyre noise, but it’s not as quiet as the Vios. Seats are soft and cushy, maybe a bit too much so.

Safety

Base-spec E models only have a driver’s airbag, and the maximum airbag count you can get is two. No stability or traction control anywhere to be found either, but at least ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, ISOFIX anchors as well as three-point seat belts all around are standard across the range.

Space

You get oodles of rear legroom, but the narrow body means you don’t have as much shoulder room as you would expect, while headroom is also compromised by the sloping roof. Boot space is generous, but a lack of folding rear seats anywhere in the range is an odd omission.

Value

Once the outright leader in value for money, the Almera has seen its slice in the market come under threat by its newer rivals moving downmarket. Its cheap-as-chips starting price grabs headlines, but the entry level E models get considerably less equipment than its equivalents in the sector, and as you climb up the range the difference in price and kit between it and its rivals does start to close up.