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Before we get started, let’s get this out of the way – the current-generation Nissan Almera is anything but desirable.
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Not only the current model lacks any modern safety equipment (no stability control and only two airbags), its quirky looks won’t be winning any beauty contests as well.
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Enter the all-new, fourth-generation Nissan Almera – the model that will hopefully lift Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM)’s earnings.
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It made its global debut in New York back in April 2019 before arriving in this region in late 2019 - more specifically in Thailand.
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Compared to the previous-generation model, the all-new Nissan Almera ups the ante in practically every aspect.
Starting with the design, the all-new Nissan Almera is quite the looker. Thanks to its updated V-Motion front-end, the all-new Almera looks pretty much like a shrunken-down Nissan Sylphy or Nissan Teana.
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Depending on who you ask, some actually prefer the looks of the all-new Nissan Almera over the equally-new Honda City, as the Almera gets better body proportions and sharper looks than the City.
Then there’s the safety equipment of the all-new Nissan Almera.
The Thai-spec car offers up to six airbags, stability control, as well as ADAS features – the latter isn’t even offered on the Thai-spec all-new Honda City. Quite a massive leap considering how spartan the current-generation model is.
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The revamped interior is also worth a mention, as we sat inside both the Thai-spec versions all-new Nissan Almera and all-new Honda City.
We found that the all-new Nissan Almera’s interior actually feels more upmarket than the all-new Honda City, offering better quality plastics and soft-touch materials on the middle of the dashboard and door panels.
Unlike the Thai-spec Honda City, the Almera does not get a centre armrest for the rear passengers and the head rests are integrated. Some taller folks might find the all-new Almera a tad bit less comfortable than the current model, as one cannot put their feet under the driver's seat, which is possible in the current model.
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Never mind the current-generation models’ rather abysmal interior, if the Thai-spec Almera’s interior can beat the all-new City in terms of quality, then we have rather high hopes for the all-new model here in Malaysia.
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Closer to home, the all-new Nissan Almera has been spied numerous times, hinting that Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is gearing up to introduce the all-new model here soon.
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Considering that the turbocharged engine has been earmarked for Malaysia, it should give the all-new Almera an edge over the competition, as both Toyota and Honda are gearing up to introduce refreshed versions of their respective B-segment sedans.
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Credit to where credit is due, ETCM has done a decent job speccing the C27 Nissan Serena and facelifted Nissan X-Trail - both cars now offer up to 6 airbags, a massive upgrade over the 2-airbag affair of the previous models.
With all said and done, the all-new Nissan Almera has a lot going for it – good looks, nice interior, decent equipment list, as well as a sophisticated powertrain.
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If ETCM can maintain this momentum with the all-new Nissan Almera, then potential buyers will be spoilt by choices when shopping for a B-segment sedan, as opposed to looking at the Almera as a just a cheap point A to point B car.