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What we want to see in the new Nissan Almera

With its release nearing, could the Almera reclaim its spot among the country’s top subcompact sedans?

Autodeal on Sep 28, 2021

What we want to see in the new Nissan Almera

It's almost time. Nissan Philippines has been teasing the all-new Almera, and we've been on the edge of our seats. While the Japanese automaker's newest subcompact sedan has yet to be released, we've taken the time to list down what we want to see for its latest iteration.

Striking looks

The outgoing Nissan Almera looked great for its time, but we can't deny that its design is a bit dated now. Based on the all-new Almera we've seen in other markets, we're expecting the vehicle to feature a brand new look.

We expect Nissan's "Emotional Geometry" design language to play a significant role here, as the Almera would likely get a more streamlined look. The old model featured somewhat funky proportions, but the upcoming release could see Nissan appeal to a broader audience.

The new signature V-motion grille would do a lot to improve the Almera's looks, as would upgrading to an all-LED affair. An integrated spoiler and a set of new front and rear bumpers wouldn't hurt either.

A new engine

What can we say? The local-spec Almera's current engine options are nothing to write home about. While the engines were sufficient for their time, Nissan should take the opportunity to give us beefier power plants.

We'd appreciate it if we get the 1.0-liter HR10DET turbocharged engine from the Malaysian Almera. That mill makes about 100 hp and 152 Nm of torque. Nissan says this engine has a flatter torque curve, so highway passing shouldn't be a problem, even with the relatively low power figure. Better still, that engine is reportedly very efficient, recording 18.4 km/l during a road test.

A modern interior

We're not going to lie. The outgoing Almera's interior looks a bit tired. The world has since mostly moved on from gray-finished cabins, and we'd like to see Nissan keep up with the times. We know they're not a stranger to interior overhauls, as we recently confirmed with the new Terra.

So, it would be great if Nissan gave the Almera a revamped interior. For a start, less hard plastics and more soft-touch material would be ideal. The Almera needs a competent infotainment system to help it go up against other cars in its segment. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto shouldn't be a problem for Nissan, and we'd like to see it here.

To round out the interior, Nissan should sprinkle in some creature comforts. It would be nice to see things like a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and USB connectivity.

Better safety features

In this day and age, active safety features are a must for any car worth buying. That's why we want to see Nissan's Intelligent Mobility suite in the new Almera.

Available safety features should include forward collision warning, emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. A range of parking sensors would be great too, as would be a 360-degree camera.

These are all features that Nissan’s other models have gotten at some point. We think it's not too much to ask the brand to do the same with the Almera. If the all-new Nissan Almera gets even half of these listed features, it could be a vehicle to watch out for in the local scene.