The Nissan Almera is a line of sedans produced by Japanese manufacturer Nissan since 1995. The early generations, including the first-generation N15 and second-generation N16, were classified as compact cars (C-segment) and were essentially the European export versions of the Nissan Pulsar.
Starting with the third-generation N17, the Almera was reclassified as a subcompact sedan (B-segment), built on the Nissan V platform. This version has been marketed under five different nameplates in various international markets.
First generation (N15; 1995)
The first Almera model was manufactured in late 1995 as a replacement for the Nissan Sunny (N14), a nameplate which had been in use for nearly 30 years. The Almera was almost identical to the Nissan Pulsar (N15) sold in Japan, apart from different trim options and petrol engine range.
Early production models were equipped with either a 1.4L GA14DE and 1.6L GA16DE petrol engine or a 2.0L CD20 diesel engine. Approximately one year into production, a 2.0L SR20DE GTi was added to the range. The three non-sporting engine options were available in either a three- or five-door hatchback or as a four-door saloon variant. In contrast, the GTi version was only available in the three-door hatchback variant.
In the United Kingdom, the Almera was originally marketed by Nissan as "The car they don't want you to drive". Almost all Almeras sold in the UK were hatchbacks, in contrast to regions such as Ireland, where the saloon proved more popular. The line's high specification made it notable at the time, with all models including power steering, airbags, electric mirrors, and a stereo.
Pre-facelift Typical models offered were as follows, with each market differing in detail: 1.4 S, LX, GX, Si GA14DE 1.6 SLX, SR/SRi GA16DE 2.0 GTi SR20DE 2.0D GX, SLX CD20
The top versions included 'high spec' bumpers with fog lights (optional on the Si model), alloy wheels from 1996 onward (Size and design differed between the Si/SRi 14" and GTi 15").
GTi models sported a roof spoiler with an integrated brake light as standard, which was also available as an option on the Si model. In later model years, there were a number of special models and market-specific equipment levels such as the Comfort, Ambiente, Esteem, Precision, and many others.
The 2.0-litre GTi had an optional, aggressive-looking factory body kit which included BMW M3-style side skirts and front and rear splitters. Models without the body kit came with a simpler plastic front splitter. The GTi also featured uprated suspension, front and rear strut braces, and a quicker steering rack along with the 2-litre engine.
Facelift The Almera received a facelift for the 1998 model year. For phase 2, the front bumpers were redesigned, front splitters were added on the Si/SRi, and the GTi had an all-round body kit as standard (although there was also a delete option available). From this point, all of the lip spoilers came with an integrated brake light. The original telescopic radio aerial was relocated from the driver's A-pillar to the rear of the roof and modified to a "bee-sting" type. On the GTi, the phase 2 headlights and front indicators featured a black surround.
Towards the end of production around the start of 1999, the GTi models came as standard from the factory with all items which has previously been optional extras, for example ABS, Air Conditioning, updated interior trim, and front seat pockets.
Second generation (N16; 2000)
Launched in January 2000, the second-generation Almera differed from its predecessor with smoother and more curved lines. For Europe, this generation of Almera was produced at the Sunderland factory, which had opened in 1986 and produced the Micra, Primera, and originally the Bluebird.
The N16 Almera is based on Nissan's global MS platform, which was Nissan's first new platform to be developed after the partnership with Renault. The MS platform is also the base for the P12 Primera and Almera Tino.
The second-generation Almera was available in three different body styles, a three- or five-door hatch and a four-door saloon with 1.5, 1.6, and 1.8 Nissan QG engine series petrol engines as well as a 2.2 direct injection turbo-diesel (110 bhp) (YD22DDT) or common-rail turbo-diesel (136 bhp) (YD22DDTi).
Almeras can be also equipped with 1.5 common-rail turbo-diesel (dCi) from the Renault Mégane II – Nissan had recently ventured with Renault, and the Almera's diesel engine was one of the first instances of Nissan and Renault's sharing of mechanical underpinnings. Early versions of the 1.5-litre engine were fitted with a mechanical throttle, which was later replaced by a drive-by-wire electronic throttle.
The Almera five-door hatchback was exported from the UK to Australia and New Zealand and sold as part of the Nissan Pulsar (N16) lineup in these countries. The Almera saloon is based on the Bluebird Sylphy, but has a different front end.
While the previous generation Almera was considered spacious for its class, the N16 Almera was noted to be lacking in rear passenger legroom due to a slightly shorter than category average wheelbase.
Facelift In 2003, the Almera received a facelift, which included updated styling, retuned suspension, new engines, and an upgraded interior.
First, the Almera's MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension (Nissan's name for its double lateral link twist beam suspension) had been retuned. This resulted in a quieter ride and a reduction in the amount of rear bump-through experienced when heavily laden, improving high-speed stability, driving dynamics, and making the car more controllable after an emergency maneuver. The new suspension tuning also proved to produce almost no body roll on tight turns. Overall, Nissan said, the Almera had slightly firmer damper settings and marginally stiffer spring ratings; though there had been no loss of ride comfort or increase in noise levels in normal motoring. The suspension revisions had been executed in such a way as to only become effective at the upper edge of the dynamic envelope.
The facelift also included new chrome, projector-style headlights that were set in a titanium-coloured surround with separate lights for main and low beams set behind an enlarged translucent cover. The front bumper had an integrated engine air intake that ran almost the full width of the car, while a honeycomb mesh grille added visual benefits to the frontal look. Some models also received small circular fog lights.
The interior of the facelifted Almera was redesigned with improved materials and featured a large centre display, available in colour or monochrome, which controlled various functions including climate control, the CD player, and the trip computer. This display was standard on most models, but excluded the S and Pulse trims. Higher-specification variants also offered Nissan's Birdview GPS navigation system. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) was fitted as standard on SE, SVE, and the range-topping SXE models, with the SXE also featuring a switch to manually enable or disable the system.
Additionally, there was a change to the diesel model lineup. Nissan introduced a new version of common rail 2.2 diesel with six-speed gearbox.
Production The facelifted Almera was built in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK, and exported to parts of the Asia-Pacific where it was sold as the Nissan Pulsar. In 2006, the second-generation Almera reached its sixth year of production but was still selling strongly worldwide.
The Almera finished production on 28 November 2007, but it was not instantly replaced. The Tiida was introduced in several countries as a replacement model throughout 2007 and 2008; although it wasn't officially imported to the United Kingdom, where the Qashqai crossover is the model generally considered to be its successor. It was available there through the Arnold Clark dealership network from March 2009 with models sourced from the Republic of Ireland. Several Almeras were registered in Ireland in 2008, despite production ending in 2007.
Third generation (N17; 2011)
The N17 Almera was first introduced in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show in December 2010, where it was marketed as the Nissan Sunny. It went on sale in January 2011. Based on the company's global V platform, the model was touted as a saloon for the global market, as it was gradually marketed across 170 countries with assemblies conducted in numerous American, African, and Asian countries.
In October 2011, Nissan debuted the model in Thailand as the Almera. It was positioned as an entry-level saloon for the Eco Car programme in Thailand, which required a 1.2-litre engine to be adopted. The Almera name is also used for the model in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, and Nigeria.
In the Americas, it is badged as the Nissan Versa. It went on sale in North America in July 2011, and in Brazil in October 2011.
The Sunny nameplate is also used in India, Vietnam, and various Middle Eastern countries. The N17 Almera was also exported from Thailand to Japan since October 2012 until December 2016, where it was marketed as the . Under the joint venture established with Renault, the model was also marketed as the Renault Scala in India between 2012 and 2017, featuring minor redesigns.
After the release of the succeeding N18 model, the N17 saloon continued to be produced in several countries. In India, since 2020 the vehicle is no longer sold in the country, instead it is solely produced for export to GCC countries as the Sunny Classic. The model is also continued to be produced in Mexico where it is marketed as the Nissan V-Drive since 2019 to distinguish it with the N18 Versa. The V-Drive nameplate was also used in Brazil for the same purpose until its end of production in the country in September 2021. In Malaysia, the model is also sold alongside its successor as the Almera Black Series. Production of the N17 Sunny ended in China since 2019 without any direct replacement.
Markets
Japan The Japanese-market model was released as the Nissan Latio on 5 October 2012. Its release was delayed due to power shortages in Japan caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Imported from Thailand, the Latio is equipped with a 1.2-litre engine producing and . It was offered with three trim levels. The Latio was discontinued in Japan on 26 December 2016 due to poor sales.
Southeast Asia The Thai-specification model was released as the Almera on 7 October 2011, as part of the Eco Car programme. It uses the same 1.2-litre HR12DE engine as the Nissan March, with a fuel consumption of , and either a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
In 2014, Nissan introduced a minor update for the Thai-market Almera, adding circular fog lights to the Model 2 variant to match specifications in other regions. Thailand also received the Sportech trim, which featured LED fog lights, a rear spoiler (shared with the base model), and a modified HR12DE engine with a "SPORTECH" mode for improved acceleration.
Regional variations Philippines The Almera was assembled in Santa Rosa, Laguna, for the Philippine market, from 2013 to 2021.
Malaysia and Singapore These markets received the Almera with a 1.5-litre HR15DE engine, paired with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.
Indonesia In Indonesia, the Almera was used exclusively as a taxi fleet vehicle and was not sold to private buyers, due to low demand for supermini sedans in the country.
Malaysia-specific details The Almera was launched in Malaysia in October 2012, with three variants: E (manual or automatic), V (automatic only), VL (automatic only). All variants were powered by the 1.5-litre HR15DE engine.
A facelifted N17 Almera was launched in Malaysia in January 2015, featuring styling updates and an optional Nismo performance package.
India