Nissan is bringing to market the 2016 version of its sub-compact Almera—a car that’s been substantially refreshed in hopes of becoming the Filipino family’s first new car of choice. Lost in ubiquity before, the refreshed Almera offers new exterior and interior changes as well as the availability of a new drivetrain that reduces running costs.

“We at Nissan Philippines are proud to introduce the new Nissan Almera as the perfect partner for all new beginnings,” said Antonia Zara, NPI President and Managing Director. “Combining the best of fuel efficiency with generous cabin and trunk space that leads other cars in its class, the new Nissan Almera is the ideal car that will be with you and your loved ones through many of life’s important milestones.”



Tweaks to the 2016 Almera starts with the front-end packing a new bumper, grille, and headlights. The new boomerang-shaped headlights and larger front grille tie it up with the likes of the Sylphy and Altima while the new front bumper adds a dose of angularly to the otherwise roundish design. At the side, new 12-spoke alloy wheels add some dose of sportiness while at the back, the rear bumper features a blacked diffuser, re-designed rear spoiler, and chrome trunk garnish.

Inside, the Almera keeps the two-tone black and beige finish but swaps the silver trimming with classier Piano Black accents. Adding to the premium feel are the new instrument cluster with Fine Vision gauges, three-spoke steering wheel, and leather seats for the top-range variant. Of course, like before the Almera blurs the lines between the sub- and compact sedan genre by offering top-notch space.



The 2016 Almera now offers a choice between two drivetrains. The entry-level model is powered by a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine with continuous variable timing (CVT) technology. This engine develops 79 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 106 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. Meanwhile, the other models are powered by the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine boasting 99 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 134 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. While the 1.2 is solely available with a manual gearbox, the 1.5 comes with a choice between a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission. It also gets subtle suspension tweaks for a sportier driving experience.

Even bigger news is that these mechanical upgrades equate to longer intervals between PMS (Periodic Maintenance Service). Together with lower spare parts cost compared to before, the Almera boasts of a 30-percent reduction in maintenance cost—the lowest in its class.




The new Nissan Almera is available in five different variants: the new 1.2L M/T  at PHP630,000, the 1.5L E M/T at PHP726,000, the 1.5L E A/T at PHP762,000, the 1.5L V A/T at PHP845,000, and the range-topping 1.5 VL automatic model is at PHP880,000.  It will come in four different colors, namely Brilliant Silver, Alpine White, Bluish Black, and Titanium Grey.