Nissan Almera: pros, cons and features of the Nissan Almera G15

A little history

The first Almera rolled off the assembly line in 1995. Its calling is to replace the Sunny model on the market. Initially, the manufacturer focused on hatchbacks with three and five doors, but later decided to experiment by launching sedans into mass production. The basic equipment at that time included a front airbag, power steering and electric mirrors.

Nissan Almera 1995

Over time, the interests of the public changed, so the company's designers constantly improved the appearance of the car. Thanks to painstaking work and careful study of the demand for light, the latest generation of Almera - G15 - appeared. Production of the G15 was short-lived: it began in 2012 and ended in 2021. Moreover, production was carried out at. The model was removed from the assembly line because... NissanMotorCo manual. decided to reconsider the company's policy and focus on crossovers, the demand for which began to grow rapidly.

Nissan Almera: technical characteristics of the model

The “new” sixteen-valve K4M** performs well at low speeds and can provide acceleration even when the gear is upshifted. The weight increased by 100 kg slightly reduced the acceleration time compared to Renault Logan.

The previous version of the Nissan Almera Classic, the technical characteristics of which do not differ significantly from the updated Almera, was discontinued in 2012.

Nissan Almera has a smooth ride and high ground clearance of 16 centimeters. The machine can move over a ditch up to 0.3 meters deep. This was achieved by installing a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a torsion beam at the rear.

As for the crankcase protection, a standard 2 mm thick metal plate was installed for our roads.

The spare wheel is full-size and is stored in the lower part of the trunk, which has a volume of 500 liters. You can also now open the trunk using a convenient handle that the developers added.

Exterior

The appearance of the latest generation Nissan Almera looks attractive. The front part of the car contains large, expressive optics that are in perfect harmony with the chrome radiator grille. The bumper and body of the car have stylish “bulges” that visually make the car larger and more muscular. Due to the sloping trunk lid, the Japanese “look” seems predatory.

The strict style of Nissan is preserved in its rear part. Here the designers placed elongated, elegant headlights, divided into horizontal sections. The bumper also has a puffy shape.

If you compare the designs of the latest and previous generations, you can see how seriously the engineers approached the issue of updating the sedan. They changed its appearance so much that the Nissan Almera G15 has practically nothing in common with its predecessor. Only the shape of the hood, the large glass area and, perhaps, the shape of the body remained the same.

Interior

Simplicity and conciseness – these are the words that can describe the interior of the latest generation Nissan Almera. He inspires at first sight. Despite the fact that the Japanese itself belongs to the budget class, the interior design indicates its representativeness. In finishing the surfaces, engineers used soft plastic that does not creak on bumps and in cold weather. The dashboard is decorated with light inserts that neatly frame the air vents and the central control console. The interior decoration is amazing. There are no unnecessary buttons or plugs, everything is thought out to the smallest detail. Each button is located at arm's length from the driver. So he doesn't have to reach across the cabin to control additional options.

Almera's steering wheel is simple - made of polyurethane. Only in the maximum configuration is it available in leather. Navigation buttons were not installed on it. On the one hand, this feature interferes with the driver’s convenience, on the other hand, thanks to it, the interior is “not cluttered” with optional keys.

The seat upholstery is exclusively fabric. However, the material used is wear-resistant and of high quality. There is no leather, but this does not prevent the chairs from perfectly supporting the spine while moving. Each backrest is equipped with a lumbar support, the front row is adjustable in tilt. The interior of the Nissan Almera is cozy and comfortable. It is designed for five adults of average build. The rear row of seats will accommodate even tall passengers, providing them with optimal knee and headroom. Reviews from owners emphasize that it is better to drive in the back for long distances in Almere - this is where the maximum pleasure from the trip is achieved.

The luggage compartment in the car is large - 500 liters. It easily accommodates four 15-inch wheels, a stroller or several bags of potatoes. In the G15 generation, it became possible to fold the rear seatbacks to increase the luggage compartment; this function was not available on previous versions.

Car interior

The development of the Nissan Almera Classic, a photo of which is presented on the Internet, was jointly carried out by Renault and the auto division of Samsung, which released a new car in 2006 on the universal N16 platform under the symbol SM3.

In the updated Nissan Almera model, the interior received high-quality finishing materials and noticeably increased in size, thanks to the new dimensions of the car itself:

• its length (in mm) is 4510;
• width is (mm) 1710;
• car height (mm) 1440;
• wheelbase (mm) – 2700.

These dimensions made it possible to significantly increase (up to 500 liters) the volume of the luggage compartment of the Nissan Almera Classic, and the rear seat received a folding mechanism in the proportion 60:40. The driver's seat has become much more ergonomic; all additional function switches in the Nissan Almera Classic have convenient controls.

The updated dashboard has become noticeably more informative; tachometer and odometer indicators are located along its edges, and various signal indicators are located in the center. The steering column can be adjusted in height, and the front seats are equipped with anatomical support. The center console and door trim are equipped with decorative inserts, as shown in the photo of the interior, which added solidity to the interior.

Specifications

The technical characteristics of the Nissan Almera G15 are presented in the table below.

NissanAlmeraG15 was equipped with only one engine modification - a gasoline, 16-valve 1.6-liter engine with a power of 102 hp. The car engine has hydraulic compensators, eliminating the need to adjust the valves. Thanks to this, the motor runs quieter. The service life of such an installation is 300-400 thousand km. With the most careful care, it can be increased by 50 thousand km.

In the Nissan Almera III, such an engine was installed in a pair with a five-speed manual JH3 and a four-speed automatic transmission DP2. Owners note that the manual transmission lasts much longer than the automatic transmission, which requires some maintenance already at a mileage of 100 thousand km.

The Japanese's consumption is pleasantly surprising:

• city ​​– 9.1-10.9 l,
• track - 5.8-6.5 l,
• mixed mode - 7.2-8.5 l.

Almera accelerates to 100 km/h with a manual transmission in 10.9 seconds, with an automatic transmission in 12.7. The maximum speed of the car is 180 km/h.

The Japanese have front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The front suspension is independent (MacPherson type), the rear is semi-independent (torsion beam).

Characteristics

Interior and body:

• number of doors – 4;
• seats – 5;
• trunk dimensions - 460 liters.

The car was positioned as a universal one, so it should be comfortable for everyone, and this was achieved. There are few options for adjusting the driver's seat - the distance to the pedals and the angle of the backrest change. The steering wheel is height adjustable. On the panel we see a standard set of instruments that will completely satisfy a novice motorist. For an experienced one, a little more will be required, but they can be added additionally during the tuning process.

A description of the interior would be incomplete without small details. The front seat backs have recesses that add some legroom for rear seat passengers. There is also an optional ashtray that can be used by the rear passenger. Most owners characterize the car's interior as very comfortable, suitable for long trips. It is no coincidence that this car is popular in taxis.

The car body has an already ordinary “blown” shape. Nothing particularly stands out among other cars. This is understandable - it was conceived as a simple universal machine for the entire planet, and doing something special, designer in this case would be fraught with danger.

Dimensions of the car:

• length – 4.51 meters;
• width – 1.71 meters;
• height – 1.44 meters.

These dimensions allow you to place the car in any medium-sized garage. There shouldn't be any problems with parking space either.

More about Nissan: Buy a new Nissan Almera 2021 from an official dealer in Moscow

Driving performance:

• base – 2.535 meters;
• track - 1.49 meters;
• full turning radius – 5.3 meters;
• ground clearance – 165 mm;
• tires - 175/70 R14.

Maneuverability is average, the turning radius is also not outstanding. Ground clearance is low. The ground clearance of the Nissan Almera Classic is almost the same as that of Renault Logan and AvtoVAZ classics, the minimum acceptable for our roads. The tires also indicate average, but quite sufficient, cross-country capability.

Dynamic characteristics:

• maximum declared speed – 177;
• power indicator - 107 hp. With.;
• acceleration to hundreds of km – 13.9 seconds;
• load capacity – 515 kg;
• weight of an empty filled car – 1185;
• maximum weight – 1700.

As you can see, the car is not the most dynamic. The mobility parameter is much lower than even that of domestic cars, not to mention imported sports class cars. The characteristics are given for the version with automatic transmission, since most people drive with it, judging by the statistics on sales of used cars. The manual transmission has slightly better acceleration, and the load capacity is also higher with the same maximum weight. Read more about modifications and tuning possibilities.

Gasoline and oil:

• tank volume – 55 liters;
• gasoline brand - A-95;
• consumption per 100 km in the city is about 10 liters;
• consumption per 100 km on the highway - about 6 liters;
• oil – semi-synthetic, synthetic.

Consumption is normal for not very fast cars, but for such a mass it could be lower.

Options

The Nissan Almera G15 has five trim levels. The basic Welcome package includes two airbags, an ABS system, power steering, front electric windows, and an on-board computer. In this case, the car is painted in metallic color and complemented by steel wheels. The interior uses fabric as upholstery material. To protect the car from theft, the manufacturer equipped it with an immobilizer, starting from the base.

The Comfort package was complemented by electric drive and heated side mirrors, fog lights, and heated front seats. In addition to the immobilizer, the car was equipped with a central lock.

Air conditioning in the Nissan Almera appeared only in the ComfortA/C package.

Starting with the ComfortPlus version, the foreign car was supplemented with an audio system with Bluetooth and 15-inch wheels.

The driver and passengers received maximum comfort from the car in the Tekna configuration. Here the manufacturer has provided for the maximum filling of Almera with interesting “goodies”. He installed a navigation system and rear electric windows, covered the steering wheel with leather, and equipped the radio with a USB connector. However, the Japanese never received a leather interior.

Options and prices

The Japanese always delight with the abundance of proposed assemblies. This time they surprise the domestic consumer with four trim levels, while one of them has two configurations, which in total gives five variations of the sedan. The list of basic equipment includes:

• Adaptive headlights with height adjustment;
• On-board computer;
• Additional “stop” backup;
• Immobilizer;
• Adjusting the steering column tilt;
• Heated rear window;
• Trunk light;
• Steel crankcase protection;
• Steel wheels with a diameter of 15 inches;
• Electrically adjustable seats in the first row, etc.

Welcome

The minimum Welcome package is equipped with the only available 1.6-liter engine with a power of 102 hp. The assembly is not very popular because it does not have the ability to install an automatic transmission. Only “mechanics” is available as a transmission. In the list of equipment:

• Audio preparation;
• Decorative black inserts on door handles;
• Fabric interior, etc.

Comfort

The Comfort package is equipped with the same engine, but already has the ability to be coupled with an automatic transmission. The automatic version is slightly more expensive than the previous generation, but there are nice additions that make the trip more comfortable.

Comfort Plus

Next to it is the extended Comfort Plus package, complemented by 15-inch alloy wheels and an audio system with Bluetooth. Otherwise the functionality is the same. Among the comfortable additions:

• Remote control of central locking;
• Additional two speakers;
• Adjusting the driver's seat height;
• Heated mirrors with electrical adjustment;
• Heating of the first row;
• Fog lights on the front bumper;
• Three headrests on the second row;
• Air conditioning (optional).

Tekna

The flagship Tekna equipment has been supplied to Russia since 2013, so it is important to carefully study sales announcements. Of course, this version will cost somewhat less, about 400 thousand rubles, but the later version is “tested” and slightly corrected by the manufacturer, hence the significant increase in price on the secondary market. There is no exclusive engine for the maximum assembly of the Nissan Almera 2014, so you can rely solely on the available 102 hp. In the list of equipment:

• Leather steering wheel trim;
• Media system with 5-inch display, navigator and 4 speakers;
• CD/MP3/USB support;
• Glove compartment lighting;
• Full set of electric windows, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

The latest generation Nissan Almera has many advantages:

• The main thing that immediately catches your eye is their attractive appearance. The designers put their soul into the appearance of their creation in order to attract even more fans of the brand. Due to its long length and stylish appearance, many mistakenly classify the G15 as a luxury car.
• The car's behavior on the road, as the owners' reviews say, is ideal. It takes turns with ease, smooths out bumps perfectly and allows you to get maximum driving pleasure. Thanks to the power steering, even fragile girls can drive the car.
• Another advantage of the model is its high ground clearance. It allows you not to think about the track, so Almera confidently drives forward on snowy and country roads.
• The long wheelbase of the car eliminates the risk of longitudinal sway of the body and motion sickness of passengers. The foreign car drives smoothly along the highway.
• Many drivers consider the interior to be poor, but only because of the lack of leather trim. Yes, the polyurethane steering wheel is a little inferior to the overall concept of the car, but it does not in any way reduce driving comfort. Passengers note the comfort of the seats, which follow the silhouette of the back and provide good support to the spine. There are three headrests in the back row.
• Low fuel consumption is another “strong” side of the Japanese. Atmospheric engine 102 hp consumes the optimal amount of fuel mixture, allowing the car owner to save personal funds. At the same time, the car is unpretentious to the quality of gasoline. Its motor requires AI-92.
• In heavy fog, rain and darkness, the car's optics are a real help. The beam of light from a Japanese headlight practically cuts through the space and provides ideal visibility.
• These are not all the advantages of the model. Among them, we should also note the high quality of the paintwork, the “indestructible” suspension and the optimal angle of the windshield.

We've sorted out the advantages, now let's move on to the disadvantages:

• Drivers have negative impressions of the car, perhaps, only because of its modest configuration. In Almere you will never see curtain airbags, a mirror in the driver's visor, climate control or cruise control. The engineers did not provide for one more detail: they installed control buttons for the rear windows between the front seats. It is impossible for a seatbelt passenger to reach them.
• The car's navigation system, which is part of the maximum configuration, raises many questions among ordinary users. Firstly, it only provides for paid road renewal, and secondly, it lacks many important maps, for example, maps of Siberia.
• The narrow engine range, of course, also did not please car owners. To the engineers of NissanMotorCo. the modifications should be diluted with popular 2.0 and 2.5 liter units. Such a measure would attract even more consumers, and the car would not have to be removed from the assembly line.

Alternatives

When choosing a budget sedan, you don’t have to limit your choice solely to the Nissan Almera G15 model. She has many competitors. You can focus on the following cars.

Renault Logan

If you are looking for a truly reliable vehicle that does not require large investments in maintenance and upkeep, then Logan is the ideal option for you. The car has a simple design and is not rich in additional options, however, it has high ground clearance, a spacious interior and good optics. Logan's luggage compartment is slightly larger than Almera's - 510 liters. It is possible to fold the back row of seats to increase the compartment.

The second generation of Logan is currently being produced. Therefore, car enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase a completely new copy from the showroom or buy it on the secondary market.

Volkswagen Polo sedan

German quality, proven comfort. The public loves this car for its excellent performance characteristics and the ideal combination of price and quality. The first Polo rolled off the assembly line in 1975, and since then it has been produced in its fifth generation.

The German's appearance is very attractive. Strict optics, graceful body lines. Nothing extra. Polo has good technical equipment; its configuration includes air conditioning, airbags, and four electric windows.

Cars of the VAG family are equipped with a wide range of propulsion systems. Among them there are naturally aspirated and turbocharged units running on gasoline and diesel.

Hyundai Solaris

This South Korean car has been produced from 2011 to the present. It is included in the TOP 15 best-selling cars in Russia in 2021. It has undergone several restylings, as a result of which it received an ultra-modern exterior. The front part of the foreign car is represented by a huge radiator grille and headlights stretched along the hood line. The massive shape of the car makes you wonder: “does this Korean really belong to the budget class?”

Solaris does not offer many engine varieties, but they all have a high service life and minimal fuel consumption.

Unlike Almera, all these competitors have not yet left the conveyor belt. They can be found in the primary and secondary markets.

Owner reviews

Owner reviews will help you figure out what problems a potential Almera buyer may encounter.

Almera is a comfortable and practical car. I bought it in 2014. The family is happy. Among the advantages: – good dynamic performance, – roomy interior (perfect for five people, a dog can also fit in), – large trunk, the volume of which increases when the rear row of seats is folded (as far as I remember, this was not the case in previous generations), – deep glove box in which you can put A4 sheets. The car's radio is equipped with a Bluetooth system, which connects to a mobile phone without problems. The quality of communication does not suffer. By the way, Bluetooth plays audio recordings from a smartphone. Through it you can talk via Viber, WhatsApp. I didn't notice any major problems with the car. The engine runs like a clock, and the gearbox is no problem either. If we were to be really picky, I would note the rather poor interior. There are not enough shiny moldings or bright backlighting on the buttons, but overall everything is fine. What I would change about the car is the gas cap. It opens with a key, which is extremely inconvenient in the winter season. Firstly, you have to warm up the key before opening it in order to eliminate freezing, and secondly, it is impossible to fully use the services of a gas station attendant, because you must always stand next to him. I note that these small inconveniences cannot change my idea of ​​​​Almera - it is ideal. Ideal for a large family, for our roads, for my driving style. I highly recommend purchasing.

Vlad, Tyumen

Nissan Almera G15 is my third car. Before it, I had a VAZ 2110 and an OpelVectra. Almera turned out to be an excellent option for family and work. Thanks to its attractive appearance, it is quite suitable for business class. The salon is comfortable and spacious. On the highway, rear passengers are delighted with the car's smooth ride and minimal longitudinal rocking. I would like to note the good sound insulation and optimal ground clearance for our roads. When purchasing, I mistakenly thought that a 1.5-liter engine would not be enough for intensive city driving. It turned out that it not only shows excellent dynamic characteristics, but also consumes a small amount of gasoline. The automatic transmission has a manual mode, so if you want to speed up the car, just move the gearshift lever to the appropriate position. The only weak point is, perhaps, the windshield. A minor hit with a stone led to the formation of a huge crack, which was extremely inconvenient to drive with. I had to change it urgently. There are no complaints about the body and engine. Nissan Almera showed me what a truly comfortable car should be. I have never encountered any motor problems, so I am happy with my choice. I don't intend to part with the car anytime soon.

Nikita, Moscow

I'll start with the main advantage of the Nissan Almera G15. It has excellent suspension. The car drives smoothly, like clockwork. For a budget sedan, this is undoubtedly a huge plus. There is a power steering, so it is very easy to drive the car. It takes corners perfectly and accelerates dynamically. I'm not picky about gasoline. The car is 2013. I purchased it in the Tekna configuration from the showroom. At 44,000 km, the light bulb in the rear light burned out for the first time. There were no other breakdowns. The first three years of service were carried out at an official dealer. Now I service the car myself. At 96,000 km, the brake discs and rear shock absorbers had to be replaced. One of the strange minuses is the rattling of the rear seat latch. Moreover, as the official dealer explained, this is a disease of all Almeras. They were never able to eliminate it. By the way, owners of Nissan Almera with children should take note that the protection against opening the rear doors is located under the handbrake. I searched for a long time, but found it only after reading the instructions. I was also pleasantly surprised when I discovered that all trim levels already come with engine protection from the factory. Usually you need to buy it in addition. To keep the interior warmer in winter, you need to purchase velor mats (they are not expensive for Almera) and insulate the engine. To improve visibility, I had to abandon the central headrest on the back row of seats - it is not height adjustable, so I simply removed it. The Nissan Almera G15 became a true friend for me - it drove almost 105,000 km with me and never let me down on the road.

Maxim, Ivanovo

Nissan Almera ground clearance, increasing ground clearance Nissan Almera – car blog

Nissan Almera's ground clearance or ground clearance, as for any other passenger car, is an important factor on our roads. It is the condition of the road surface or its complete absence that makes Russian motorists interested in the ground clearance of the Nissan Almera and the possibility of increasing ground clearance using spacers. To begin with, it’s worth honestly saying that the real ground clearance of the Nissan Almera may differ significantly from that declared by the manufacturer. The whole secret is in the method of measuring and where to measure ground clearance. Therefore, you can find out the real state of affairs only by arming yourself with a tape measure or ruler. The official ground clearance of the Russian-assembled Nissan Almera of the current generation is 160 mm. The model created on the basis of Renault Logan has the same indestructible suspension.

Some manufacturers use a trick and declare the amount of ground clearance in an “empty” car, but in real life we ​​have a trunk full of all kinds of things, passengers and a driver. That is, in a loaded car the ground clearance will be completely different. Another factor that few people take into account is the age of the car and the wear and tear of the springs—their “sagging” due to age. The issue can be resolved by installing new springs or purchasing spacers for sagging Nissan Almera springs. Spacers allow you to compensate for spring subsidence and add a couple of centimeters of ground clearance. Sometimes even an inch of curb parking makes a difference.

More about Nissan: Nissan Almera - specifications, configurations, photos, videos, review

But you shouldn’t get carried away with “lifting” the ground clearance of the Nissan Almera, because spacers to increase ground clearance are focused only on springs. If you do not pay attention to the shock absorbers, the travel of which is often very limited, then independently upgrading the suspension can lead to loss of controllability and damage to the shock absorbers. From the point of view of cross-country ability, high ground clearance in our harsh conditions is good, but at high speeds on the highway and in corners, serious sway and additional body roll appear.

Detailed video of installing spacers to increase ground clearance on a Nissan Almera in the N16 body.

Any car manufacturer, when designing the suspension and choosing the ground clearance, looks for a middle ground between handling and cross-country ability. Perhaps the simplest, safest and most unpretentious way to increase clearance is to install wheels with “high” tires. Changing wheels makes it easy to increase the ground clearance by another centimeter.

Do not forget that a serious change in ground clearance can damage the CV joints. After all, the “grenades” will have to work from a slightly different angle. But this only applies to the front axle. Moreover, a serious change in ground clearance can lead to uneven tire wear.

Tips for buying a car

It is currently impossible to buy a new Almera exhibit - it was discontinued in 2018. Therefore, you will have to turn to the secondary market. Buying a used car is like a lottery - you can invest in a “fresh” car, or you can run into a restored one. To minimize the risks of purchasing a bad car, you should remember some important points.

Where should you start choosing a car? Of course, from studying its history. To do this, it is advisable to order a report on it. It contains all the information about recorded mileage rates, imposed restrictions, and the actual number of owners. The report also provides information about the accident and provides an estimate of the repair work that was required to restore the vehicle. The report allows you not only to check the legal purity of the vehicle, but also to obtain comprehensive information about it. Since Almerias were often used as taxis, checking through this service will reveal possible mileage misalignment.

After the report has been studied, you can proceed to a visual inspection of the machine. The first thing you should pay attention to is the condition of the Nissan Almera steering wheel. Since it came from the factory in a polyurethane version, which suffers from rapid wear, you can easily determine how much the car has driven. When driving up to the first hundred, the steering wheel and the side of the driver's seat will look perfect. As soon as you notice roughness and scuffs on the steering wheel and creases on the seat, rest assured that the mileage is more than one hundred thousand km.

Secondly, pay special attention to the wheels of the car. If they are erased along the inner radius, then the car’s suspension is not all right. Take her to a service center to check the wheel alignment, and at the same time ask her to study the geometry of the body.

If you doubt your own capabilities, invite an independent expert to check your Nissan Almera. It will help identify possible problems with the Japanese and protect your wallet from unnecessary expenses.