Nissan Almera 2012: Road Test

There is no question Nissan is well known for go-anywhere four-wheel drives and some pretty decent sports cars. But its passenger car reputation and sales aren’t that strong.

Considering Nissan built its profile and popularity in this country with models like the 1600, 180B and Pulsar back in the Datsun days it’s been one heck of a slide.

However, the problem is certainly one that’s been recognised within ambitious Nissan Australia and the refreshed reinforcements have started to arrive.

There’s a new Pulsar small car on-sale in late January and the Altima large car will get here in the second half of 2013, although we will see it first in V8Supercar guise. Of course, the first step in the process, the Almera city car, is already here.

At nearly 4500mm the Thai-built Almera sedan is actually longer than some small cars. But at $16,990 for the base model ST it fits right into the starter segment for Australian new car buyers.

That’s the price you’ll pay for the entry-level model in the three-car range, the ST five-speed manual. The ST with four-speed auto we are testing here adds $2000, and the better equipped – but mechanically identical – Ti another $2000.

Speaking of mechanicals, you might not realise it from the conservative styling or size difference, but the Almera shares many of its parts and pieces with Nissan’s 700mm shorter Micra mini-car.

That includes the 75 kW/139Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, electrically assisted rack and pinion power steering and disc front/drum rear braking combination.

The result is a simple and inoffensive drive. There’s nothing to get excited about, but that’s fine.

The engine teams efficiently enough with the four-speed auto around 75 per cent of buyers are expected to opt for. Nevertheless we’d love an extra ratio, the ability to shift manually and a bit more intuition as the transmission always heads for top gear even when the throttle is lifted momentarily. On a hilly road that makes for plenty of gear-changing and revving.

Despite all this carry-on the engine is not too noisy. In fact, the Almera’s overall noise dampening is pretty good by class standards.

The engine is also strong enough in its responses to keep up with traffic flow around town and not get embarrassed on the highway. Official claimed fuel consumption is 6.7L/100km (6.3 manual) and after a week of testing we saw 7.25L/100km. So that’s pretty decent.

The light steering makes the Almera easy to navigate around car parks. City and suburban driving is also aided by excellent visibility. However, on the open road it’s apparent the steering is totally bereft of feel, except when you hit a bump mid-corner and cop a dose of unpleasant kickback.

The ride is softly compliant, dealing pretty well with all but the worst potholes and jagged edges. Handling is acceptable without being involving.

Where the Almera hits the jackpot is space. There is a huge amount of rear legroom. Full-size adults will fit easily. Only headroom is at all tight. Unfortunately, there are absolutely no storage pockets, while the middle-rear passenger misses out on any form of headrest.

At 490 litres, the boot is one of the largest in the class, although, again, there are no pockets – or storage nets or hooks. There is also no split-fold rear seat, which limits load lugging flexibility.

That’s one sign of the Almera being built down to a price. Others include the lack of reach adjust for the steering, no cruise control, no USB port, small front seats and the mundane acreage of dark, hard plastics alleviated by the occasional splash of faux metal.

However, Bluetooth phone connectivity is standard, as is air-conditioning, a trip computer, remote central locking, power windows and four-speaker audio with MP3 auxiliary jack. The auto-only Ti upgrades from 15-inch steel to alloy wheels, adds fog lamps, a rear spoiler, rear park assist, push-button start, climate control, a rear centre armrest and adjustable rear headrests. A full-size spare wheel is standard for all Almeras.

They also come with six airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist and stability control. Each passenger gets a lap-sash seatbelt and there are three child restraint anchors mounted on the rear parcel shelf.

There is currently no ANCAP independent crash test rating for the Almera. In the USA, where this car is sold as the Versa, it does pick up a ‘good’ overall rating, although that is for a left-hand drive version powered by a different 1.6-litre engine.

A three-year/100,000km warranty and three-year roadside assist is standard, along with a six-year/120,000km capped priced servicing.

What all this adds up to is a workmanlike not-so-small city car. Maybe Almera’s not big on style, but a large interior and small price should prove tempting for small sedan buyers.

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