Nissan Almera: Australian prices and specifications

By Tim Beissmann
August 24th, 2012

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The launch of the pint-sized Nissan Almera sedan represents the beginning of a passenger car renaissance for Nissan Australia, with four new city-sized, small and medium models set to re-energise the local line-up before the end of 2013.

The all-new Nissan Pulsar sedan will join the Micra-based Almera in early 2013, a few months ahead of the Pulsar hatchback’s mid-2013 launch and the introduction of the mid-sized Nissan Altima sedan in the second half of next year.

Nissan Australia CEO Bill Peffer says the Nissan Almera represents a new segment opportunity for the Japanese manufacturer in the local market.

“More people are looking to small cars, but their lifestyle still requires a car that can accommodate good cabin and boot space,” Peffer said.

“The exceptional design and packaging of the Almera answers that call.”

The Nissan Almera is priced between $16,990 and $20,990 before on-road costs, making it a direct competitor for other mainstream low-cost sedans including the Holden Barina ($16,490-$18,490), Hyundai Accent ($16,990-$22,990), Toyota Yaris ($18,190-$21,790), Ford Fiesta ($18,990-$21,490), Honda City ($18,990-$23,490) and the Kia Rio ($19,690-$21,690).

The modestly equipped entry-level Almera ST comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, trip computer, manual air conditioning, tilt-adjustable steering wheel with Bluetooth and audio controls, and a four-speaker audio system with an AUX input jack. A five-speed manual transmission is standard while a four-speed automatic is a $2000 option.

For an extra $2000 over the ST auto, the high-grade Almera Ti auto adds 15-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, rear spoiler, reverse parking sensors, variable intermittent wipers, smart key with push-button start, climate control, adjustable rear-seat headrests and rear centre armrest with cup holders.

The Almera also boasts a 490-litre boot, which is just six litres shy of the Holden Commodore sedan’s rear cargo capacity.

Safety remains a priority despite the low prices, with all Almeras fitted with six airbags (dual front, side and curtains), electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist.

The Nissan Almera is powered by a familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 75kW and 139Nm – 3Nm more than in the Micra. The manual variant uses 6.3 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle while the autos are slightly less efficient at 6.7L/100km.

CarAdvice is currently at the local launch of the Nissan Almera in Victoria. Stay tuned for our full first-drive review, coming soon.

Click the Gallery tab for more images.

Nissan Almera manufacturer’s list prices:

ST manual – $16,990
ST automatic – $18,990
Ti automatic – $20,990

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Looking at some of the direct competitors listed, the Nissan hasn’t got a hope.
- Sumpguard
  
  Looking at this car Nissan hasn’t got a hope. Simply awful!
  - Dave
    
    The wheels look like they’re off a scooter.
    - Henry Toussaint
      
      There is nothing good looking about it!
Haplesspossum

That spoiler looks laughable.
Lachy

People will buy it because it’s cheap… but $2,000 for a 4-speed automatic? They must be dreaming.

In addition, it looks like someone left a Maxima in the tumble dryer for too long.
- John
  
  Yeah, $2000 for the 4 speed auto is a ridiculous rip-off. Considering the previous model Micra came with auto as standard and was sold quite cheaply the auto itself must not be worth all that much at all.
  
  Manufacturers charging outrageous amounts for autos is their equivalent of the equally ridiculous dealer delivery fees charged by car dealers (the $2000 car wash).
  
  By the time you put an auto cheapie (like the Almera) on the road you’ve paid about $4000 for things that are probably worth $1000 at most.
- Phil
  
  $2000 is the cheaper end of the standard auto price.
  
  Maybe you should take a look at the inside of a automatic gearbox – or check out some cross section pictures on the web. There is a hell of a lot more stuff inside a auto gearbox compared to a manual – even when the auto has fewer gears.
  
  If you still don’t like it – well the auto is OPTIONAL….get the manual if you don’t want to pay extra for auto. You’ll get a far better drive too.
  - John
    
    It may well be at the cheaper end of the auto-ask, but the point is, it still seems expensive at around 11% of the cost of the entire base-model car. Also, it’s a 4 speed auto, not a 6 speed or a DSG.
    
    It may well be more complex than a manual gearbox and cost more to produce than a manual – but a whole $2,000 extra? I don’t think so. You have to suspect that the auto has become a means by which manufacturers – and car dealers – can claw back some profit.
    - Guest
      
      Then get the manual and stop whinging.
      
      By the way, the RRP of the old Micra with the standard auto was $15,990. The current Micra is $13,490 as a manual….so much for you theory.
      - John
        
        The old Micra had a larger engine as standard than does the new Micra. To compare like to like you have to look at the current model Micra ST-L and compare that to the old model Micra.
        
        But thanks for commenting without thinking!
      - Phil
        
        Hypocrite. Dug yourself a nice hole there?
        
        The current model Micra ST-L has a larger engine than the old Micra so how could they be compared “like to like”?
      - MisterZed
        
        The old Micra was actually $14,990 when it first went on sale.
      - Phil
        
        What a useless bit of information – or do you think its more prudent to use a older price instead of a more recent one?
      - John
        
        Replying to Phildo.
        
        Hypocrite? Umm, no. The current model Micra ST-L is all of 112cc larger than the old model Micra.
        
        But you’re more into sarcastic remarks than trying to respond reasonably to people’s arguments.
      - Phil
        
        But John, you said you couldn’t compare models with different size engines! Then you went right ahead and did just that – then denied being a hypocrite?
      - John
        
        Phil – that’s not what I said and not what I meant. Please read it again. Or just fire off another pointless reply as we move further and further off-topic. Your choice.
Joshua

waste of time, effort and money on Nissan’s behalf. Honestly, you dont need to have a marketing degree to understand why this car wont be successful in AUS. Just ask any one on the street and they will tell you as it is. Shame on you Nissan for dropping pulsar.
3D4

Renault Thalia anyone?

(all I see is the rubbish clio with poorly mounted boot on the back and with nissan badge on it)

Nissan screwed up Pathfinder, ruined Patrol heritage, and now try sell the “out of the date” ugly renaults…. Bleh.. /
- KD
  
  This ain’t a Renault, it’s a Micra sedan.
Dave

Oh Nissan, what are you thinking? This is uglier than a Chery, and they are hardly masters of design….
Shak

Micro Sedans do not work in our market. Nissan must have done some really silly market research if they thought this would help boost their sales tally too much.
Silver Streak

Looks like a caricature of the Maxima, you are right.

And they really have maggoted all their cars…
Damian

This thing looks nasty. Hard to believe that the maker of the legendary GTR churns out turds like the Almera.
- Noddy of Toyland
  
  I have a 180SX that I am getting tired of, I think I will trade up to the Almera or Maxima.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Karl-Sass/100000921334936 Karl Sass
    
    Trade up or down?
    - Noddy of Toyland
      
      Up, the Almera has a much higher driving position.
Crummydore

The bum on that is as bad as the 120Y hatch of the 70′s!!

Thing is people still bought them…. the more things change the more they stay the same.
- Robin_Graves
  
  I was about to say the same thing… Modern day 120Y
  - Snoopy54000
    
    Funny You all mention that as My Aunt had a 120y Coupe/Hatch in the 70′s.It was the start of a long association my family had with Nissan.I am thinking of one in a few years to replace the Micra.The Pulsar is too big and expensive for my needs and buying second hand Mazda 3/Focus or Corolla is not an option as I need a car for work purposes that can last me a full decade.
Dash93

I thought the exterior was bad enough and then I saw the inside….yuuuuck!
MisterZed

The Hyundai Accent sedan is better than this car in every way. It’s more powerful, looks much better, and has a 5 year warranty. There is no reason I can think of to buy this over the Hyundai.
- Robin_Graves
  
  Exactly. What is wrong with the jap designers these days? They are on some serious crack.
Aus_poppa

I saw one on the road weeks ago. There is no doubt – Nissan has finally produced a successor to the 120Y! What an ungainly car it is to behold – from any, no, every angle. The only car that came close over the years was the original Toyota Echo in 4 door notchback guise.
Speen24

Rather have a Daewoo Matiz – what is this hideous thing Nissan ?
HyundaiKIA

go hyundai and kia
LN

lol Nissan, no disrespect to anyone’s parents/grandparents and I hope I dont offend the elderly but this car will only be driven by people who are on the pension.

But seriously, 7-10 years ago this car would be ok in the market but in this current market, no one besides the elderly and the pensioners would be buying this car.

The reason why I say elderly and pensioners will buy this car because everything about this car has all the needs that these people will need, its cheap, fuel efficient, not ‘powerful’, its safe, it would be comfortable especially for their long drives and easy for them to park the car, they don’t bother with the looks, thats not really important to them.
- MisterZed
  
  Why would a pensioner buy this over a Hyundai Accent, though? I realise they don’t care that much about looks, but they’re not blind either.
  - Robin_Graves
    
    Champagne gold Mazda or Toyota, its gotta be champagne gold tho
- Westie
  
  My mother in law just bought a new i30 diesel. She’s 70 and on a pension, so right in the demographic. I showed her pics of this thing. She said its ugly and old fashioned. Guessed Nissan missed that market, too!
Sakdjfhlajdhfladfladf

The design of that start and stop button is hideous. Who uses that orange colour?
F1

Seriously?

How on earth does Nissan think they’re going to compete with the Accent & Rio?

You could even pay a little more and get a Hyundai Veloster!!

Bill Peffer says “The exceptional design and packaging of the Almera answers that call.”

Hahahaaaaaaaa ^ exceptional design alright
Dan

FAIL!!! Dammmmmm UGGERLY!
Dan

FAIL!!! Dammmmmm UGGERLY!
A guy

OMG!!! What is that round white plastic in the centre of the console? Ugly rear end and the car just looks like Malaysian made Proton brand. WTF!!!
Latin Fish Names

Looks like it was swallowed by a whale and then regurgitated. This is truly an abysmal effort by Nissan… Yeeeech!
Latin Fish Names

Looks like it was swallowed by a whale and then regurgitated. This is truly an abysmal effort by Nissan… Yeeeech!
Latin Fish Names

Looks like it was swallowed by a whale and then regurgitated. This is truly an abysmal effort by Nissan… Yeeeech!
Gus

What were they on when they designed this?
Maximark2601

I rather take the bus than drive one of these.
Antmindel

Recently saw some in America,and it looks worse in real life than in pics,will stand no chance against Honda City,etc…
Guest

To me Nissan’s cars are associated with a basic engine and cheap plastic interior. Now with Hyundai & Kia’s cars so innovative, Nissan is will no longer on my shopping list just like mobile phone, nokia is gone and replaced samsung or LG.
sam123

This car should sell really well, oh hang on, no its not 1994 any more. It might not sell any, actually, is what I meant to say.
- trololololol
  
  I see what you did there….you funny guy!
Csiu73

Will not be on my shopping list, so ugly.
Save It For The Track

How ’bout that boot space………;)
- Phil
  
  When it comes to sedan bootspace, it doesn’t seem to matter how big the sedan is on the outside.
  Tiny Yaris sedan/Honda City/2 sedan/Barina sedans – all boots around the 450-550L range. No different to the bootspace in the gigantic sedans like Chysler 300C/Merc S class/Holden Crapice or the big “Family” sedans like Crummer/Falcoone/Ewwrion.
Gibwater

Apart from that circular thing down the bottom,the dash is utterly old hat.Its exterior styling should satisfy its target market-function over form. It should appeal to members of your local CWA! Must admit…..its an improvement on anything they’ve been offering of late.
Philb

I can’t help but think ..WHY! CArs like the current Mazda 2 etc rat all over this, & at a much better price
Fance

I dont know what nissan australia is thinking. They refused to bring nissan CUBE -which was very successful overseas- in to australia but they’re happy to bring nissan almera in to australia.
- Captain Nemo®™
  
  Maybe Nissan have looked at how poor sales of the Toyota Rukus & Kia Soul are and decided not to bother.
- Captain Nemo®™
  
  Maybe Nissan have looked at how poor sales of the Toyota Rukus & Kia Soul are and decided not to bother.
Fance

I dont know what nissan australia is thinking. They refused to bring nissan CUBE -which was very successful overseas- in to australia but they’re happy to bring nissan almera in to australia.
Ozamyb

We have just bought one. Found it to be a great little car especially as my husband is 6’4″ mostly in the legs and with the driver seat right back a tall passenger can still sit comfortably behind him. You can’t do that with most cars, even big cars we have test driven. We tested it out yesterday on the rugged hinterland hills and although it didn’t zoom, it handled the challenge quite adequately. Not a problem because Australia is largely relatively flat driving. Looking forward to touring with it next week. BTW, all you knockers, our local dealer has them running out the door so they can’t be as bad as you make out. We got a great deal too, it pays to ask.
- Shaishab
  
  Totally agree!!! Why are people complaining of the vehicle they have not even purchased or driven??? It your money.. You may spend it on any Car you want. If you are so filthy rich and would want to dominate small reliable and efficient cars!!! Go for the big fat American or euro brands
carlover16

hyundai accent is much much better..agree or not??
carlover16

ford fiesta the ugliest car ever i got it lol