Nissan Almera Review

The consumers in the B-segment sedan market are becoming increasingly savvy. They want fuel efficiency and peace of mind for daily commuting, configurations that justify the price, and enough space for family use. The 2024 Nissan Almera 1.0L Turbo VL is aimed at fulfilling this demand. With an entry-level price set at RM83,888, it comes standard with practical features like active braking and keyless entry, and it is equipped with a 1.0T turbocharged engine. In this test drive, we focus on evaluating its static performance, whether the balance of power and fuel economy is sufficient, and how comfortable it is to drive on a daily basis.

When parked by the roadside, the 2024 Almera VL has a distinctive exterior. The front end features a large V-Motion grille, surrounded by chrome trim that extends from the front grille to the edges of the headlights, visually widening the front of the car. The side profile of the car is smooth, with a waistline running from the front fender to the rear, and the 195/65 R15 tires create a well-proportioned overall look. The LED taillights are a highlight, complementing the design of the front headlights and offering high recognition when illuminated. There's also a black guard panel below the rear bumper, adding a touch of sportiness.

Opening the door and sitting inside, the interior design leans towards practicality. The layout of the dashboard is clear, with physical buttons and knobs conveniently positioned, making them easy to operate. In terms of materials, most of the dashboard is hard plastic, but the steering wheel has a multifunctional design with volume control and phone buttons, which makes daily operation convenient. The 7-inch infotainment screen is a standard display. Although it's not a touchscreen, the interface is simple, and it works fine for navigation and music when connected to a phone. In terms of features, keyless entry and ignition come standard, so you don’t need to take out the key to access the car, which is very convenient. There's also a single sunroof, which can brighten up the cabin significantly when opened on sunny days.

Space is one of Almera VL's strengths. The wheelbase is 2620mm, and after adjusting the front seats to a comfortable position, there are about two fists of legroom remaining in the rear row, meaning a 175cm tall passenger can sit without their knees being cramped. The rear seats support 60:40 split-folding, which adds flexibility when carrying longer items. Storage spaces are adequate for everyday use. The front central armrest box and door storage pockets can hold phones and water bottles, while the trunk, though the specific capacity isn’t mentioned, can easily fit two 20-inch suitcases. Additionally, the rear row has air conditioning vents, so passengers in the back won’t feel too hot during summer.

As for performance, the 1.0T three-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 100PS of power and 152N·m of torque, paired with a CVT transmission. Daily starts aren’t sluggish, and the throttle response is quick, making it sufficient for city driving and overtaking. However, after reaching 110km/h on the highway, the acceleration reserves are average, though maintaining cruising speed is not an issue. The transmission performs smoothly, with almost no shift shock, though there’s slight engine noise during rapid acceleration. The steering is relatively light, making parking or U-turns in the city very easy, and it gets slightly heavier at high speeds, offering decent stability.

The chassis uses front MacPherson and rear double-wishbone suspension, tuned for comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension absorbs most of the jolts, and rear passengers won’t feel too bumpy. When navigating corners, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range and doesn’t feel overly wobbly. Fuel economy is a highlight; the official combined fuel consumption is 5.4L/100km. In real-world usage, it’s about 6.2L in congested urban conditions and can drop to 4.8L during highway cruising. A full tank covers around 600 kilometers, making it very user-friendly for commuters.

In terms of sound insulation, tire noise is not noticeable at low speeds in the city, but on highways, tire noise is slightly louder, though it doesn't affect normal conversations. The seats are manually adjustable, offering sufficient support so you won't feel tired even after driving for one or two hours. The active safety features are practical, with the forward collision warning and automatic braking being triggered when following cars in the city, helping to avoid minor scrapes.

Overall, the highlights of the 2024 Almera 1.0L Turbo VL are clear: it is budget-friendly, spacious enough for family use, fuel-efficient, and has more features than the entry-level versions in the same class. Compared to the Toyota Vios 1.5J, the Vios is priced similarly, but the Almera includes extras like automatic braking and keyless entry. Compared to the Honda City 1.5S, the City has slightly better power, but the Almera offers lower fuel consumption. It is suitable for families with limited budgets looking for a balanced performance or young people who mainly commute daily and occasionally take their families out.

This car does not have particularly obvious shortcomings; it's simply a "practical" family car — spacious enough, fuel-saving, equipped with useful features, and priced within a range most families can afford. If your demand is a hassle-free daily driver that doesn't require frequent stops at the gas station and has enough room for family outings, then the 2024 Almera VL is worth considering.