Updated Nissan Almera: First impression

Nissan Almera is one of the value-for-money sedans currently on sale in the Philippines. The Almera has been around for quite some time now, and over the years of its existence, it has given Nissan some good sales numbers. Nissan Almera is a well-known name in the country.

It has served a plethora of people, and Nissan wants this to continue even in the future. That’s why for 2019, Nissan has given the Almera a minor update in the hope of making this sedan that much better and desirable to the masses.

The updated Nissan Almera looks very similar to its predecessor. And that’s because Nissan didn’t really update anything on the outside. While we would have definitely loved to see some revisions on the exterior front, for example, new headlamps or grille or perhaps LED daytime running lights, but we think Nissan doesn’t want to poke around much with the looks of the Almera. This could be because of two reasons.

First, since the Almera is such a popular car among the Filipinos and of course it is important in terms of sales volume, Nissan might have decided to play it safe and keep the looks of the Almera as it is. The looks which have helped the company keep alive this car for years.

Second, Nissan wanted to keep the value for money tag of the Almera intact. We know Nissan’s capabilities. The company that gave the world the mighty Godzilla can do anything. However, adding more features to the 2019 Almera would mean an increase in the cost of the car. Consequently, this might be a turn off for the targeted audience.

Anyway, so what exactly is the new Almera all about? Well, the highlight of the updated model is on the inside. Nissan has added a new infotainment system here which comes with a large touchscreen. This would add a bit of premium-ness to the entire cabin. Another thing added in the 2019 Nissan Almera specs sheet is two USB ports. And that’s about it.

To make things a bit refreshing, Nissan has added a few new colors in which you can buy the new Almera. These are Sapphire Blue Metallic, Iridium Metallic Brown, and Lunar Metallic Gray. Combine these with the ones already available, and you have got yourself a total of 7 color options.

The rest of the Almera remains untouched. The interior remains a spacious place to be in that offers a decent amount of luxury. The seats offer good comfort, and there are rear AC vents to make sure the passengers at the rear are at their cool. There are automatic climate control and rear armrests for that added comfort, but these features are available on with the top-end models.

Other features that you would find missing in the more affordable variants include leatherette seats and a rear blower fan. The 2019 Almera continues to have the same beige color interior theme and the not so great centre console with controls of the AC or climate control.

The updated Almera continues to be available in two engine options - a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine that produces 79 PS of max power and comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a slightly more powerful 1.5-litre engine that has been tuned to churn out 99 PS of maximum power and is available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Both the engines are tuned to give an optimum output, i.e., a balance of performance and fuel efficiency.

As far as the prices are concerned, the 2019 Nissan Almera price starts at Php 657,000 for the base 1.2L M/T model. There are a total of 5 variants, and the top-end 1.5 VL A/T variant will set you back by Php 933,000.

Also Read:- 2020 Nissan Almera launches in Thailand – is the Philippines next?