2024 Nissan Almera VL 1.0T CVT

Underrated Performer

When it comes to B-segment sedans, the Vios is the undisputed king.

Ever since the automaker introduced it in the early 2000s, it has become the consistent best-selling vehicle in the country, supplanted only a few times by other Toyotas. With a reliable and durable reputation and vast aftermarket parts availability, it’s no wonder the Vios has become a staple in the Filipino lexicon.

Being the top sales performer in the B-segment market isn’t everything. Sometimes you must look at the other offerings because you may miss out.

Enter the Nissan Almera. No, it may not be as popular as the Vios, but the Almera has developed a reputation for being one of the comfiest subcompact sedans in the segment besides the Honda City. Now on its fourth generation, Nissan Philippines Inc. has given the Almera turbo power, a roomier cabin, and plenty more amenities.

But why stop there? To keep the Almera fresh and up-to-date with the competition, Nissan gave it a refresh for the 2024 model year. Not only does it look better but Nissan also installed more standard features. But in the age where crossovers are becoming more value-packed, does the Almera still have what it takes? And is it a great alternative to the likes of the Honda City, Geely Emgrand, and Toyota Vios?

First and foremost, let’s talk about its dashing looks. Nissan gave the Almera quite the facelift as it gets a redesigned front fascia. While it may not be groundbreaking, it’s worth mentioning that it gets a bolder V-Motion grille that comes with piano black and chrome accents. The grille itself, meanwhile, looks wider than before thanks to the new brightwork that makes it stand out more. Last but not least are the more eye-catching LED headlights and LED foglights which frankly give the sedan a sharper look.

Also quite noticeable is the new exterior color that’s exclusively available for the VL variant called Moon Pearl Gray. Not only is it easy on the eyes but the exterior hue gives off the illusion the sedan is bigger than it actually is. It is then paired with a black roof and black side mirror covers which makes for a more sophisticated look.

Other changes Nissan made to the Almera are the new 16-inch alloy wheels (VL exclusive) and the smoked LED taillights which are paired with blacked-out trim accents - replacing the chrome accents found on the pre-facelift model of the Almera. All in all, Nissan went for the “less is more” approach in updating the Almera’s looks which frankly suits the vehicle. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

If you thought the exterior changes were subtle, the updates in the cabin are more understated. For starters, there’s a new blue and black colorway which does away with the plain black furniture. Not only does it give a more youthful vibe inside the Almera, but it also serves as a nice contrast against the predominantly black cabin. Next is the new frameless rearview mirror which suits the interior’s overall aesthetics.

But perhaps my favorite addition in the 2024 Almera is a front center armrest. This was something owners of the pre-updated Almera can only wish to have and it’s a welcome feature to have in the sedan. On long road trips or when you have to struggle with Metro Manila traffic, the front armrest was a godsend during those times. Also a godsend is the 360-degree camera system which makes parking and navigating through narrow pathways easier and safer. It can only be activated at low speeds, however, as it will not be accessible when you’re traveling at city and highway speeds.

Carried over from the pre-facelift version is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. While it still comes with the usual Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, Nissan has finally decided to make Android Auto standard as well. This was something buyers were looking for (including myself) since the pre-facelift version lacked it before. It’s not yet the wireless kind, however, so you still have to have a data cable at the ready.

In true Nissan fashion, the 2024 Almera’s air-conditioning is impressive. Despite having only a single-zone climate control, the sedan can keep the cabin cool even on the hottest of days. It’s doing a great job that most of the time, I only have the temperature set at 22 and the fan speed at a low level. Heck, there are times I turn off climate control just to keep from freezing while inside the Almera.

Need to load long items in the Almera? Unlike most sedans which have fixed rear seat backrests, Nissan’s B-segment sedan has 60:40 split rear seats.

Under the hood of the 2024 Almera is (you guessed it) a 1.0L turbocharged three-cylinder engine dubbed HRA0DET. Believe it or not, this engine actually comes from Nissan's alliance with Renault. Despite its small size, this pint-sized engine puts out a respectable 100 PS at 5000 rpm and 152 Nm of torque at 2400 - 4000 rpm. Power is then sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

It may only have a displacement of 998cc, but the turbocharged three-cylinder has sufficient grunt when you need to go fast. Put your foot down and the 1.0L engine feels like it has a bigger displacement thanks to the turbo. It won’t set the world ablaze but the acceleration from such a small engine makes it zippy to drive. You can even set the CVT to “Sport” mode to extract every horsepower and torque from the engine which is useful when overtaking along the expressways or provincial roads.

The CVT may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Nissan made sure the CVT fitted in the 2024 Almera is a smooth operator. Granted, I got to drive a pre-facelift version of the Almera with a CVT that tended to be jerky at times. However, it seems Nissan was able to address this issue for the 2024 model year as the test unit I drove gave me no issues whatsoever. Keep a light foot on the accelerator and the vehicle will waft along avenues and boulevards with no complaints.

When it comes to fuel efficiency the Almera delivered in spades. Thanks to the 1.0L engine and CVT, the Almera was able to return up to 12 km/L at an average speed of around 30 km/h in city driving. In even lighter driving conditions, the vehicle will easily sip fuel at around 13 km/L. Out on the open road, the 1.0L turbo is capable of averaging up to 20 km/L or more at 90 km/h. This means despite only having a 35L fuel tank, the Almera can go the distance. Heck, it even has an automatic start/stop function to save every drop of fuel when you’re at a complete stop.

Another thing I have to mention about the Almera is its natural (and comfortable) driving position. Thanks to the Zero Gravity front seats that feel like they’re molding into the shape of your body, getting into the desired driving position is easy. Combined with the low-slung seating and soft dampers, the Almera is one relaxing sedan to be in. Heck, there were times I didn’t want to leave the driver’s seat because of how comfortable it was. Don’t believe me? Try it out for yourself when you visit a Nissan dealership and they have an Almera unit available.

Sitting in the back, passengers who are familiar with the previous generation Almera may notice the all-new model lacks the previous generation’s rear A/C vents. While this may be a downer, I’m happy to report that the single-zone climate control is powerful enough to send cold air to the rear passengers. There is also plenty of legroom and elbow room in the back though taller passengers may find headroom to be slightly limited.

It’s no sports sedan but I was impressed with the sedan's handling. Not only is the steering direct but show the Almera some corners and it will happily oblige to take them at speed. There is also (actual) steering feel which is a welcome change from most vehicles that now have mostly dull (or numb) steering feedback. Complementing it all is the vehicle’s 5.2m turning radius which makes parking in tight spots as well as doing U-turns a breeze.

Like most Nissan vehicles today, the Almera is equipped with Intelligent Mobility features. These serve as the car’s extra eyes and ears for that extra peace of mind. From forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, lane departure warning, hill-start assist, and rear-cross traffic alert with moving object detection, the Almera has you covered.

Perhaps my only complaint with the system is it lacks adaptive cruise control. Yes, it already has the standard cruise control (which the pre-facelift model lacked) but since it already has the features to automatically stop the vehicle in the event of a possible frontal collision, I wonder why Nissan locked out the adaptive cruise control function. The software and equipment are there, so why hold back at standard cruise control?

Another feature that perplexed me in the Almera is the fact that the rear passengers only get to share one USB charging port. That means those in the back will have to take turns when they need to recharge their mobile devices. Hopefully, Nissan will rectify this in another update or for the next-generation model.

Before I forget, the 2024 Almera VL is also one of the first vehicles in the country to come with the brand’s Connect Services. Made possible via a mobile app you can download on your phone, users can remotely function certain parts of the vehicle like engine start/stop, honking the horn, and activating the lights. Users can also report if the vehicle is stolen, check its vitals like oil life, check maintenance alerts/schedules, and check the location of the vehicle.

In the event of an accident, users can also activate automatic collision notification that will alert nearby emergency medical services (EMS). In addition, the 2024 Almera has an SOS emergency call button on the headlining which will help occupants contact emergency services immediately.

All in all, the 2024 Almera VL presents itself as a feature-packed B-segment sedan that looks and feels premium. It may have only received a slight update inside & out but Nissan knew where it had to improve. The turbocharged powertrain need not be changed while the soft ride and agile handling were all there to complement the vehicle’s already impressive features.

But with a price tag of PHP 1.155 million, some will argue that crossovers make more sense when it comes to overall value and package. But just like the Honda City Hatchback we reviewed a couple of weeks ago, smaller cars have lower running costs in the long run since they are lighter, among other things. 

On the flip side, the Almera’s low ground clearance means when it comes to floods, crossover SUVs and high-riding MPVs have an advantage over the sedan. This comes from first-hand experience since I had to take on some gutter-deep floods with the Almera when Typhoon Kristine flooded parts of the country and I had to figure out the best route to get home without damaging the car.

Sedans may be fighting an uphill battle against feature-packed and affordable crossovers, but the Nissan Almera is proof that despite the Philippines becoming a crossover-centric country, four doors continue to be a favorite amongst buyers. And while the Almera may not be as popular as the Toyota Vios and Honda City, its reputation for having a soft ride, ease of handling, fuel-efficient engine, and spacious cabin means it has secured its place as one of the preferred B-segment sedans in the country.