2022 Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle

Updated Dec 28, 2022

How does the all-new Almera stack up against the Vios?

In this article...

  1. The new Nissan faces the dominant Toyota
  2. Exterior
  3. Interior
  4. Engine and Performance
  5. Safety
  6. Variants
  7. Conclusion

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: The new Nissan faces the dominant Toyota

For years now, the Toyota Vios is arguably the most popular subcompact sedan in the Philippine market. For that matter, it was also the best-selling in the country for the first half of 2021. Also in 2020, the Vios received an updated version with a revised front end and more on-board tech.  

Competing against the popular Vios is of course the Nissan Almera. Like the Toyota-made model, it’s been around for a long time, and it is also a common sight on local roads. For quite some time though, Nissan Philippines didn’t release any significant changes to the said model. But fast forward to October 2021, when the marque introduced the all-new fourth-generation Almera. 

So, how does the new Nissan Almera fare against the Toyota Vios when it comes to specs? Let’s find out by comparing the new Almera VL N-Sport CVT against the Vios GR-S CVT as both are priced above the Php 1 million mark. 

Which is better on paper? Is it the new Nissan Almera or the Toyota Vios? 

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: Exterior

In terms of size, the new Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 CVT is 4,530mm long, 1,740mm wide, and 1,460mm in height. Its wheelbase then stretches to a length of 2,620mm, and it has a ground clearance of 135mm. 

The all-new 2021 Nissan Almera N-Sport

Meanwhile, the Vios GR-S comes with a length of 4,467mm, a width of 1,730mm, and a height of 1,475mm. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,550mm, and a ground clearance of 133. 

The Toyota Vios GR-S

In summary, both the Almera VL N-Sport and Vios GR-S are both the longest examples in their variant lineup. The Nissan model however, is a bit longer and wider than the Toyota. It also has a significantly longer wheelbase, and more ground clearance. The difference in the latter measurement is negligible. 

Nissan Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 Turbo CVT 

Dimensions 

Toyota Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT 

4,530mm 

Length 

4,467mm 

1,740mm 

Width 

1,730mm 

1,460mm 

Height 

1,475mm 

2,620mm 

Wheelbase 

2,550mm 

135mm 

Ground Clearance 

133mm 

Which do you think has the better-looking rear end? Is it the new Almera?

Moving on to exterior equipment, both of these subcompact sedans are kitted out with LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights. Both also get front fog lamps, and power-folding side mirrors. 

Nissan Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 Turbo CVT 

Exterior Equipment 

Toyota Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT 

Bi-LED  

Headlights 

LED  

LED 

Daytime Running Lights 

LED 

LED 

Turn signal lamps 

Halogen 

LED 

Taillights 

LED 

With 

Front Fog lights 

With 

16-inch 

Wheel size 

16-inch 

Alloy 

Wheel type 

Alloy 

Beyond those features, the Almera VL N-Sport and the Vios GR-S are also the sportiest-looking in their respective variant lineups. Both are dressed with sharper-looking body kits, black-colored exterior trim pieces, and they also get rear spoilers. Both also ride on a set of 16-inch alloy wheels.

>> Find the best Nissan Almera 2017 for sale Philippines

Or do you prefer the design of the Vios GR'S' rear end?

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: Interior

Inside, both the Almera VL N-Sport and the Vios GR-S have a predominantly black interior. These two can also seat up to five, and both come standard automatic air-conditioning, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, a push-to-start button, and a manually adjustable driver’s seat. 

The 2022 Nissan Almera's interior

Both also come with TFT multi-function displays, but the one on the Almera is larger at seven inches. The Vios meanwhile, get a 4.2-inch TFT display. 

Nissan Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 Turbo CVT 

Interior Equipment 

Toyota Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT 

Leather 

Seat Material 

Suede and Leather 

Manual 

Driver’s seat adjustment 

Manual 

Tilt and Telescopic 

Steering wheel adjustment 

Tilt  

Single-zone automatic 

Air-conditioning type 

Automatic air-conditioning 

Push Button 

Ignition 

Push button 

Seating capacity 

For seat materials, the top-spec Almera uses leather. The Vios also has leather, but it is also combined with suede. Both do get contrast stitching. 

The Almera VL N-Sport does get a tilt and telescopic steering column while the Vios GR-S is adjustable for tilt only.  

As for infotainment systems, the Almera VL N-Sport gets an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB, and auxiliary jack connectivity. It is then linked to a six-piece speaker system.  

Inside the Toyota Vios GR-S

In comparison, the Vios GR-S comes with a smaller 6.75-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and auxiliary jack. Apart from having more connectivity options, the said headunit also gets a six-piece speaker system. 

Nissan Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 Turbo CVT 

On-board tech 

Toyota Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT 

8-inch touchscreen 

Infotainment system 

6.75-inch touchscreen 

Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB, Aux 

Connectivity options 

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, Aux 

6 speakers 

# of speakers 

6 Bose Speakers 

With 

Offline Navigation 

With 

With 

Power-folding side mirror 

With 

>>> Buy Toyota Vios 2017 for sale at the best price

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: Engine and Performance

For power, the fourth-generation Nissan Almera uses a new 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-3 gasoline engine. At maximum, it can generate up to 99 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels through an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). For the top-of-the-line Almera VL N-Sport, the said CVT can also be controlled manually using paddle-shifters. 

The fourth-generation Almera's 1.0-liter inline-3 turbocharged gasoline engine

On the other side of the coin, the Toyota Vios GR-S utilizes a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 gasoline four-banger. It can produce up to 106 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque. It also uses a CVT with a paddle-shifter manual-mode, and it is also a front-wheel-driven model. Of note, the said CVT on the Toyota sedan has ten simulated gears. 

As one can see, the Vios’ 1.5-liter still makes more horsepower than the Almera’s 1.0-liter turbo engine. But you also have to take note that the Almera delivers more when it comes to torque. 

The Vios' 1.5-liter inline-4 naturally-aspirated gasoline engine

For suspensions, both cars use a MacPherson strut for the front, and a torsion beam for the rear. For braking, the Almera and the Vios are equipped with front disc brakes. The rear brakes on the Nissan model however are drum-type brakes, whereas the ones on the Vios are also disc brakes. Both also have hand-operated manual parking brakes.  

Lastly, the Almera gets an idling start/stop feature which is not present on the Vios. 

Specs 

Nissan Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 Turbo CVT 

Toyota Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT

Engine 

Inline-3 turbo gasoline 

Inline-4 

Displacement 

1.0-liters 

1.5-liters 

Transmission 

CVT 

10-speed CVT 

Horsepower 

98 horsepower  

106 horsepower 

Torque 

152 Nm 

140 Nm 

Drivetrain  

Front-wheel-drive 

Front-wheel-drive 

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: Safety

When it comes to safety, this is where the Almera VL N-Sport trumps the Vios GR-S. That’s because it comes standard with the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite. For those unaware, this set of features includes a 360-degree view monitor, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot detection, and rear-cross traffic alert. 

Sure, Toyota does have its own driver-assist suite, but those features are unavailable on the Toyota Vios.  

For standard safety equipment though, both the Almera VL N-Sport and Vios GR-S offers anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, stability control, ISOFIX child seat tethers, as well as a reverse camera. 

For airbags, both the top-spec Almera VL N-Sport gets six, while and the top-spec Vios GR-S comes with seven. The Vios also has speed-sensing door locks that are not available on the Almera. 

Nissan Almera VL N-Sport 1.0 Turbo CVT 

Safety equipment 

Toyota Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT 

Airbags 

With 

Antilock braking with EBD 

With 

With 

Reverse Camera 

With 

With 

360-degree camera 

None 

None 

Cruise control 

None 

With 

Hill-start assist 

With 

With 

Stability control 

With 

With 

ISOFIX child seat tethers 

With 

With 

Lane departure warning 

None 

With 

Blind-spot detection 

None 

With 

Engine immobilizer 

With 

With 

Security alarm 

With 

None 

Speed sensing door locks 

With 

With 

Emergency braking 

None 

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: Variants

Nissan Almera Variants 

Price 

Almera EL 1.0 Turbo MT 

Php 728,000 

Almera VE 1.0 Turbo MT 

Php 938,000 

Almera VE 1.0 Turbo CVT 

Php 998,000 

Almera VL 1.0 Turbo N-Sport CVT 

Php 1,098,000 

>>> See list of 2nd hand Almera for sale here

Toyota Vios Variants 

Price 

Vios Base 1.3 MT 

Php 681,000 

Vios J 1.3 MT 

Php 707,000 

Vios XE 1.3 CVT 

Php 753,000 

Vios XLE 1.3 MT 

Php 801,000 

Vios XLE 1.3 CVT 

Php 851,000 

Vios E 1.3 MT 

Php 851,000 

Vios E 1.3 CVT 

Php 901,000 

Vios G 1.5 MT 

Php 911,000 

Vios G 1.5 CVT 

Php 970,000 

Vios GR-S 1.5 CVT 

Php 1,020,000 

Nissan Almera vs Toyota Vios: Conclusion

To conclude, the 2022 Nissan Almera VL N-Sport is superior to the Vios GR-S when it comes to driver-assist features. For that matter, it is indeed the first car in its segment and price range to get features like autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear-cross traffic alert, etc. Then again, both sedans are somewhat on-par with each other when it comes to passive safety features (airbags), and interior comfort.  

The Almera has matured into a good-looking, feature-loaded sedan

As for performance, it is obvious that the Vios still trumps the Almera in the horsepower department. As for torque though, the Nissan has caught up with the Toyota in that regard.  

So, which one’s the more handsome car? Well as usual, let’s leave that up to you. For that matter, why don’t you give each of them a test drive if you’re in the market for a competent subcompact sedan? 

Design-wise, the Vios GR-S is dripping in sportiness

Catch more car comparison articles like this on the Philippines’ largest car portal.

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

View more