While cars such as the Nissan March, Toyota Vios and Altis are selling like hotcakes in the emerging automotive markets in the region, they garner a very different reception in the Singapore market.
This is the same issue for the Nissan Almera. Being the second car they launched this year (first was the Nissan March), Nissan has been pretty confident of its sales, banging on the car's space as its selling point.
While Nissan sports cars has an enviable reputation for kickass performance and exceptional handling (think GT-R and 370Z), the more conventional Almera, unfortunately, comes across as being the opposite.
Exterior
Still, it does have a gentle and modern appearance up front. The diamond-shaped headlights dominate the fascia while chrome trimmings around the grille add to the presentable look of the Almera.
It is overall inoffensive, with looks that may grow on you over time - an almost typical characteristic for a compact car such as this. This feel magnifies on the rear side too. The stretched out tail lamps are about the only mention here but it's ironically a charming factor. The car's simplicity, somehow, has the pulling influence of drawing praises from drivers.
This is the same issue for the Nissan Almera. Being the second car they launched this year (first was the Nissan March), Nissan has been pretty confident of its sales, banging on the car's space as its selling point.
While Nissan sports cars has an enviable reputation for kickass performance and exceptional handling (think GT-R and 370Z), the more conventional Almera, unfortunately, comes across as being the opposite.
Exterior
Still, it does have a gentle and modern appearance up front. The diamond-shaped headlights dominate the fascia while chrome trimmings around the grille add to the presentable look of the Almera.
It is overall inoffensive, with looks that may grow on you over time - an almost typical characteristic for a compact car such as this. This feel magnifies on the rear side too. The stretched out tail lamps are about the only mention here but it's ironically a charming factor. The car's simplicity, somehow, has the pulling influence of drawing praises from drivers.
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However, we do reckon the divided lines between the door panels and bonnet do seem a little obvious. We aren't sure if it's due to the white colour which dramatises the lines but it does resemble a jigsaw puzzle that's pieced together to form a car.
But given its target audience, the 'lines' are but mere small quibbles to buyers. Available in three variants (Premium, Comfort & MT), the Premium variant that we tested comes with a keyless entry system - a feature not many Japanese compact sedans have today.
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Interior
On the inside, occupants will be very pleased to find the vast amount of space the compact sedan offers. With the longest rear leg-room in its class and generous headroom for all occupants, the Nissan Almera will haul all five occupants from point to point in a comfortable and fuss-free manner. Coupled with a spacious 490 litres of trunk space, the car shouldn't have much problem storing drivers' barang-barang.
Layout wise, the car is as simple as it can get. Apart from the brown leather seats which remind you of a Bimmer, the cabin is packed with hard grey plastics that strike a chord with the oldies but goodies back in the 90s. While the materials are a tad traditional, they aren't at all flimsy, giving drivers the reassurance that the interior would probably last as long as the mechanicals of the car.
Unlike the MT variant, this Premium Almera brings along with it a leather-wrapped steering wheel, intelligent key, automatic air-conditioning, anti-lock braking system and a locally fitted touch screen audio system.
On the inside, occupants will be very pleased to find the vast amount of space the compact sedan offers. With the longest rear leg-room in its class and generous headroom for all occupants, the Nissan Almera will haul all five occupants from point to point in a comfortable and fuss-free manner. Coupled with a spacious 490 litres of trunk space, the car shouldn't have much problem storing drivers' barang-barang.
Layout wise, the car is as simple as it can get. Apart from the brown leather seats which remind you of a Bimmer, the cabin is packed with hard grey plastics that strike a chord with the oldies but goodies back in the 90s. While the materials are a tad traditional, they aren't at all flimsy, giving drivers the reassurance that the interior would probably last as long as the mechanicals of the car.
Unlike the MT variant, this Premium Almera brings along with it a leather-wrapped steering wheel, intelligent key, automatic air-conditioning, anti-lock braking system and a locally fitted touch screen audio system.
The Drive
On the go, what seems to be an uninspiring set-up is actually surprisingly agile, thanks to the "V" platform that is lighter. Powered by a 1.5-litre all aluminium HR15DE engine, the Nissan Almera pumps out 98bhp and 134Nm of torque to the front wheels, allowing it to do short sprints around town where it's at its best.
On the freeways, you'll find yourself driving pedal to the metal most of time to overtake a car and more often than not, the engine noise that penetrates the cabin will leave you feeling shaken. On the flip side, that can't be said with the wind noise. The cabin is surprisingly well-insulated even at high speeds, with wind noises infiltrating the cabin to a level that is never distracting.
When it comes to tackling meandering roads, the car isn't made for mambo jumbo. Its body does lean a bit too much for comfort when sent swiftly across a bend but it is still reasonably direct, giving a feeling of agility, if not accuracy. Still, the car is not all that bad. The comfort-biased suspension allows the Almera to pace over cracked and broken roads in a relatively cosseting behaviour, which is exactly what it was created for.
On the go, what seems to be an uninspiring set-up is actually surprisingly agile, thanks to the "V" platform that is lighter. Powered by a 1.5-litre all aluminium HR15DE engine, the Nissan Almera pumps out 98bhp and 134Nm of torque to the front wheels, allowing it to do short sprints around town where it's at its best.
On the freeways, you'll find yourself driving pedal to the metal most of time to overtake a car and more often than not, the engine noise that penetrates the cabin will leave you feeling shaken. On the flip side, that can't be said with the wind noise. The cabin is surprisingly well-insulated even at high speeds, with wind noises infiltrating the cabin to a level that is never distracting.
When it comes to tackling meandering roads, the car isn't made for mambo jumbo. Its body does lean a bit too much for comfort when sent swiftly across a bend but it is still reasonably direct, giving a feeling of agility, if not accuracy. Still, the car is not all that bad. The comfort-biased suspension allows the Almera to pace over cracked and broken roads in a relatively cosseting behaviour, which is exactly what it was created for.
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Conclusion
All in all, the Nissan Almera wasn’t made for excitement. Instead, it targets buyers who are after an economical and reliable family transport.
Only problem is – are you willing to pay $100 grand for it?
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
All in all, the Nissan Almera wasn’t made for excitement. Instead, it targets buyers who are after an economical and reliable family transport.
Only problem is – are you willing to pay $100 grand for it?
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
