With a huge update made on the recently launched all-new 2022 Nissan Almera, many are eager to find out what the new model is capable of. This is further emphasized now that the subcompact sedan is powered by a smaller turbocharged engine. Can it deliver the good capabilities built by its predecessor in the small car market?
Nissan Almera enjoying Philippine roads alongside its bigger siblings
Nissan Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT), put the new Almera to the test as it joined the media drive from Metro Manila to Boracay under the renewed Safe Trips campaign. We at Philkotse.com were invited to drive out the top-spec Nissan Almera VL N-Sport in over 350 km travel distance, or about an 18-hour drive.
Metro Manila to Batangas Port
Right off the bat, the Nissan Almera was driven on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) where it demonstrated to us its cruising capabilities. We can say that thanks to its turbocharger, the Almera is fast, but not sports car fast. Rolling from 60 to 100 km/h was fun especially with the sound of the turbocharged powertrain echoing our ears.
All met up at Petron KM 75 Star Tollway
If we were to describe the power delivery, the sedan doesn’t pick up speed as fast as most would expect, but the torque is never lacking. The sound of the powertrain could make occupants feel like it is going too fast which is a good touch for those who are looking for a spirited driving experience.
Numbers-wise, the new 1.0-liter engine makes 98 hp and 152 Nm of torque. It sends power to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which is the go-to for VE and top-of-the-line VL N-Sport variant. For the 5-speed manual variant available in the base EL and VE variants, it boasts more torque at 160 Nm.
The interior layout is well executed
The fact that the Almera is competing in a market where performance isn’t that much relevant impresses us. But what’s more remarkable is the model’s fuel efficiency. In our previous test run, the small sedan was able to give us a 23.4 km/l fuel economy rating on highway driving.
Another new feature that the 2022 model offers is the Nissan Intelligent Mobility. This system consists of Intelligent Around View Monitor (AVM), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Hill Start Assist (HSA).
The new instrument gauge cluster enhances the sporty driving feel
There were multiple occasions in the media drive where the IFCW and IEB assisted us in avoiding road incidents. It responds well to the surrounding vehicles even when we were driving at an average speed of 90 km/h. The system provides visual and audible warnings which were important for tired drivers considering that we got off at 9 p.m.
The only drawback out of all the good stuff that we noticed is the tire noise. It almost sounded like we were driving on a flat tire whenever the Almera is cruising at a high speed and overtaking. But at lower speeds, the tire noise is barely heard. This part of the drive is something Nissan can improve for the following updates.
Batangas Port to Calapan Port (Roro)
As said earlier, the 2022 Nissan Almera can deliver both good performance and fuel efficiency. But the fuel efficiency aspect is emphasized when we were lining up for the RoRo going to Calapan Port. With an idling stop system, the vehicle automatically shuts the engine off whenever it is idling to save fuel.
The Japanese subcompact sedan managed to make it on a RoRo
The Nissan Almera is so fuel-efficient that we managed to get from Metro Manila to Boracay without filling up at a gas station. Part of this is the use of a smaller engine displacement as compared to the outgoing model’s 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine. Thanks to the turbocharger, the Almera doesn’t compromise on power.
But on long trips like this media drive, the relatively low ground clearance at 135 mm will take a toll when boarding a RoRo. Carrying heavy loads can damage the Almera’s undercarriage. With that being said, we recommend that the vehicle should unload passengers first before moving forward. But at least, it comes with an around-view monitor that we used in boarding the vehicle-packed RoRo.
Calapan Port to Bulalacao Port
If the Metro Manila to Batangas Port drive showed the high-speed capabilities of the 2022 Nissan Almera, the Calapan Port to Bulalacao Port tested the subcompact sedan’s handling, braking, and suspension at a slower pace. This portion of the media drive consists of twisties and pedestrians crossing roads.
26 Nissan vehicles went on a road trip
All that we can say is that the Nissan Almera managed to seamlessly keep up with its larger siblings in the drive including the Nissan Navara and Nissan Terra. It even goes side-by-side with the Nissan LEAF despite the electric vehicle (EV)’s advantage of benefiting from an instant torque delivery.
The MacPherson strut with stabilizer front and torsion beam at the rear kept the wheels of the subcompact sedan planted on the ground. With this, the possibility of understeer was never felt even when we were cornering a bit hard at some points of the drive. Also, the low gear displayed as ‘L’ on the shifter was handy in tackling downhills.
Arrived in style
Moreover, the braking performance of this subcompact sedan is impressive. The brake system is paired with the new IEB for a safer driving experience. Thanks to the Almera’s good torque delivery, it helped us keep up to speed with the bigger and more powerful models after braking due to traffic.
Upon reaching Bulalacao Port, the drive is pretty much over as the vehicles were left at Caticlan Port. Only white cars are allowed to be driven in Boracay so the Nissan LEAF was our go-to mobility in the Crown Jewel of the Philippines.
Verdict
The all-new Nissan Almera is more capable than ever in delivering good and efficient road performance thanks to its new features such as the smaller turbocharged engine and Nissan Intelligent Mobility. It overcame road challenges such as an 18-hour drive (including stopovers) and over 350 km of travel.
Nissan x DOT Safe Trips Boracay
With this, the Almera should promote the fun of land travel in the Philippines. If a small sedan managed to do so without running into issues on the road, then nothing should stop Filipinos from enjoying road trips. This is the main objective of Nissan Philippines through its Safe Trips campaign with DOT.
Discover more driving impressions by visiting Philkotse’s Car Review section.
Know more about Nissan Almera 2024
The Nissan Almera is a four-door compact sedan. For the Philippine market, its available variants have a price ranging from Php 845,000 to Php 1,260,000.
Size-wise, all trims are 1,740mm wide and 1,460mm tall. The top-spec VL meanwhile, is 4,530mm long, while the VE and EL are 4,495mm long. All three get a ground clearance of 135mm, and a wheelbase length of 2,620mm.
Under the hood of the Philippine-spec Almera is a 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-3 gasoline engine that can make up to 99 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque. The three-banger is then paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) sending power to its front wheels for the VL and VE. The EL meanwhile, uses a five-speed manual gearbox.
Locally, the Nissan Almera competes against the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Honda City, MG 5, Volkswagen Santana, Geely Emgrand, Hyundai Reina, Kia Soluto, etc.
Nissan Almera Launch
The current-gen Nissan Almera was launched for the Philippine market in October 2021. It then received a facelift in July 2023 with three different variants: the top-spec VL, the mid-spec VE, and the entry-level EL.
Nissan Almera Exterior
On the outside, the Almera reflects the current Nissan design language. It still comes with a variation of the V-motion grille and a streamlined silhouette that rides on a set of 16-inch or 15-inch wheels
Other exterior equipment available on the top-spec Almera includes LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights.
Nissan Almera Interior
All occupants of the Almera are kept cool by a single-zone automatic climate control system. The VL and VE trims then get a digital gauge cluster, leather seat wraps, and an intelligent key with a remote engine start feature. Its second row then comes with a 60:40 split-folding function.
Technology & Safety Features
The higher-spec Almera variants get an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. The said headunit is then linked to a six-piece speaker system.
Only the VL gets the full version of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety suite. This collection of tech features includes blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and forward emergency braking. Both the VL and the VE are also kitted out with an around-view monitor and hill-start assist.
Also exclusive to the VL is the NissanConnect Services. This allows a user to remotely find his or her Almera. It likewise provides a remote engine start/stop feature, and it also has various alerts for various situations.
Standard safety features found on all Almera variants include anti-lock braking, a total of six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, a car alarm, an engine immobilizer, and stability control. Only the VL gets tire pressure monitoring, but both the latter and the VE trim come with cruise control.
Platform & Chassis
For ride comfort, the Almera uses a MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension. Braking is then handled by a front disc brake and a rear drum brake.
The refreshed Almera is currently in its fourth-generation form. It uses the Nissan V platform.
Engine & Drivetrain
Under the hood of the new Almera is a 1.0-liter inline-3 turbocharged engine. It can produce up to 98 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque at maximum. Power is then sent to its front wheels via an Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission. The new Almera also has idle start/stop technology.
The Nissan Almera for the Philippine market is one of the few turbocharged sedans available right now. That said though, some models stand to produce slightly more output regardless of the Nissan model’s use of forced induction. On the flip side, this sedan is one of the few examples that gets an ADAS suite. So in terms of tech, it sits high on the totem pole.
Nissan Almera Pros & Cons
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Nissan Almera FAQs
1. How much does a Nissan Almera 2024 cost in the Philippines?
The Almera 2024 price is 845,000 Php for the entry-level EL Turbo MT, 1,085,000 Php for the mid-spec VE Turbo CVT, and the top-of-the-line VL 1.0 Turbo CVT is 1,260,000 Php.
2. What is the length of Nissan Almera Philippines?
The length of Almera is 4,530 mm.
3. How many seaters is the Nissan Almera 2024?
The Nissan 2024 has 5 seaters.
No, the Almera 2024 doesn't have a remote start.
5. Which is cheaper the Almera or the Volkswagen Lavida?
It is Almera. The price top-of-the-line Nissan Almera Philippines is 1,260,000 PHP, while the price of the Volkswagen Lavida is 1,301,000 PHP.
₱ 839,000 - ₱ 1,149,000
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