Updated Nissan Almera arrives in PH with new looks, tech, Php 839K starting price

It’s subcompact sedan season! Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) has just launched the refreshed version of its entry into the popular segment, the Nissan Almera, a few days shy of the arrival of its…rival…from Honda, the City.

Spotted testing on local roads in March and subsequently revealed for the ASEAN region in Thailand in May, the updated Nissan Almera for 2024 gets new exterior and interior bits, as well as some technological enhancements to keep it fresh in one of the most competitive segments in the local automotive industry.

Like the outgoing pre-facelift version, the updated Nissan Almera is available in 1.0 EL Turbo M/T and 1.0 VE Turbo CVT, while the 1.0 VL Turbo CVT makes a comeback.

Nissan Connect Services

One of the 2024 Nissan Almera’s primary enhancements is the introduction of Nissan Connect Services on the 1.0 VL Turbo variant. The first model in the Japanese automaker’s local lineup to feature this, it allows users to control various vehicle functions and view different vehicle information through a smartphone application. 

Functions are as follows: Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Call Button, My Car Finder, Remote Engine Start/Stop, Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights, Driving and Journey History, Vehicle Health Report, Maintenance Alert and Reminder, Speed Alert, Zone Alert, Curfew Alert, and Theft Alert.

Exterior and Interior Enhancements

The most obvious change is in front where the Nissan Almera gets a new and larger V-Motion front grille, making use of several horizontal slats, giving it a sportier and at the same time elegant appearance. The front and rear bumpers have also been updated and it also gets the new Nissan logo. Its interior remains the same with an updated infotainment system now with Android Auto connectivity, and new color scheme.

Standard exterior features starting from the base 1.0 EL Turbo M/T are halogen headlights, LED taillights, and steel wheels with hubcaps. Moving up to the 1.0 VE Turbo CVT adds LED headlights and daytime running lights, LED fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, and power-folding side mirrors. Finally, going for the 1.0 VL Turbo CVT gives you 16-inch alloy wheels, and black roof and side mirrors.

As for interior features, standard starting from the base 1.0 EL Turbo M/T are fabric seats, single zone automatic climate control, 4-speaker audio system, and push button start. Moving up to the 1.0 VE Turbo CVT adds an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker audio system, 7-inch TFT display, soft-touch dashboard materials, and frameless rear-view mirror. And going for the 1.0 VL Turbo CVT gives you two-tone black and light blue leather seats, dark blue dashboard stitching, 60/40 split folding rear seats, and a leather steering wheel.

Performance and Safety

Under the hood, the 2024 Nissan Almera remains powered by a 1.0-liter HRA0 Inline 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine that produces 100 horsepower and a best-in-class 152 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

Like before, it is equipped with Nissan Intelligent Mobility, giving the VE and VL variants an Intelligent Around-view Monitor (IAVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD), and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW). Exclusive to the VL are blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

Other standard safety features are dual front airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability program, and hill start assist. The VL adds a tire pressure monitoring system.

Pricing

The 2024 Nissan Almera is now available at all Nissan dealerships nationwide for the following prices:

• 1.0 EL Turbo M/T – Php 839,000
• 1.0 VE Turbo CVT – Php 1,059,000
• 1.0 VL Turbo CVT N-Sport – Php 1,149,000

Like other Nissan products, customers can take advantage of a 5-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, at least on the VL variant. Other variants get a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty.

With only a minimal price increase and a lot more features, Nissan Philippines is surely hoping to reach more customers. Do you think they’ve done a good job of improving the Almera?