To some, the Nissan Almera is an easy target to hate on – it’s far from being good-looking, and rivals such as the Honda City and Toyota Vios have practically made the Nissan irrelevant.

With that said, we reckon that the market still has a space for the Almera.

Here’s why.

For starters, the Almera is a massive upgrade for people that are upgrading from much older cars; think Nissan Sunny, Perodua Kancil or Proton Iswara and you’ll get the picture.

Despite having just 2 airbags and ABS, the Almera is still an upgrade over the no-airbag Kancil or Iswara.

But why not just get a Toyota Vios or Honda City?

Truth be told, the price gap between the Nissan Almera and its other non-national rivals is quite considerable.

Keep in mind that the entry-level Almera has a base price of RM 69,888, putting it roughly RM 10,000 cheaper than rivals such as the Honda City (RM 78,500) and Toyota Vios (RM 77,200). That said, the Yaris has a starting price of RM 70,888, if you don't mind a hatchback. 

Indeed, for those who can afford it, the RM 10,000 is just an extra RM 90 over a 9-year loan tenure; but for others who are financially constrained, it’s tough justifying that extra amount of money.

Another reason why the Almera still makes sense for some is because of its positioning – not only does the Almera offer more space than the Proton Persona, Proton Saga, or Perodua Bezza, the Nissan badge is also more desirable.

Moreover, for folks that grew up with Nissan-badged cars, they would naturally choose another Nissan due to sentimental reasons.

As such, even with its shortcomings, the Nissan Almera is still a viable option for those upgrading from much older cars and don’t have a lot to spend on a new car.

If this current Almera isn't your cup of tea, hang on as the all-new model will be launched here later this year (or early next year). While it is miles ahead in terms of design and styling, but don't expect it to be sold at the same price as the current model.