Nissan Almera Review (2000 to 2007)

Quick Summary

If you could combine Japanese reliability with German interiors and French driving characteristics that would make quite some car. Fortunately, Nissan have taken the effort out of such a task with the second generation Almera. It's not the obvious choice but it 's up there with the class leaders. Without the shrunken MPV styling that cars like the Fiat Stilo, Peugeot 307 and Honda Civic have adopted, it's tempting to write it off as slightly old fashioned, but the Almera has the power to convert. With a fair number of low mileage used examples turning up and with used demand running slightly below the aforementioned ilk, you can afford to be fussy. Pick of the range? Although the head says 2.2 turbodiesel, the 1.8-litre Sport variants have enough verve to put a smile on the face of the most jaded motorist. Unexpectedly recommended.

Overall:

Models Covered:(3 & 5dr hatch, 4dr saloon 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 petrol 2.2 diesel [E, S, SE, SVE, SXE, Flare, Pulse, Sport, Sport+, Activ])

Nissan PLANS A SMARTER HATCH

When Nissan developed the second generation Almera, it had to not only counter the threat from increasingly sophisticated European hatches, it also had to prove itself attractive in the face of competition from the burgeoning mini-MPV sector. Whilst the Almera Tino mini-MPV mopped up buyers unconvinced of the standard Almera's versatility, it certainly scored on the first criterion making a late used Almera far more in demand than the first generation car ever was. An affordable Nissan with inbuilt desirability? You'd better believe it.
Used Nissan Almera for sale

History of the Almera

Whilst the original Almera was a worthy offering, perhaps the British public took the initial advertising campaign somewhat at face value. Indeed 'The Car They Don' t Want You To Drive' was in fact scarily prophetic. If they didn't want us to drive it, who were we to argue? Besides, the prospect of driving a car with a roofline that resembled the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson didn't exactly fill us with anticipation. The 2000 model year car changed the way we perceived the Almera. Gone was the gawky styling and uninspired interior. In its place was a car that was confident and mature with a far more European feel and fit and finish to rival anything emerging from Germany. Prices were very competitive and with a revised engine line up and a range of six standard trim levels as well as Activ value editions, the Almera has exceeded Nissan's modest expectations. In late 2001 a four-door saloon version was announced to a market which has traditionally shunned the idea of booted hatches. A year further down the line, Nissan facelifted the Almera, changing the bumpers and grille for a more Primera-like appearance. The trim designations were altered, pricing was made more aggressive, the engines were tweaked slightly and the Primera's N-FORM dashboard was fitted to all but the base models. Soon thereafter, Nissaan added a common-rail 136bhp 2.2-litre dCi diesel to the Almera line-up available solely in a new top of the range SXE trim designation. It also revisited the SVE trim level, adding DVD-based satellite navigation. In spring 2003 Nissan added a pair of special edition models to the range, the Pulse and the Flare.By the start of 2006 the Almera was starting to look decidedly dated next to modern family hatch rivals. The range was slimmed down to just one engine option (the 1.5-litre petrol) and four trim levels S, SE, SX and SVE. Although, Flare derivatives were still being sold at this stage. The last Almeras were sold early in 2007.
Used Nissan Almera for sale

Nissan Almera Road Test

On the road, as we've suggested, the car's very good to drive - a quality promoted in the latest model by a body that's 30% stiffer than before. The gearbox is positive but a bit vague, a pity since all three engines feel very willing. The 1.8 petrol is the fastest engine currently on offer (no GTi replacement is planned), making rest to sixty in 11.1s en route to 115mph. Don't ignore the new turbodiesel if you're so inclined though: it takes a little time to get going but once it does, you can hustle it along quite rapidly – and get over 1,000 miles on a tankful. The handling is superb with plenty of grip and good feedback from the chassis. The light clutch and steering make the Almera effortless to pilot through town.
Used Nissan Almera for sale

Buying a Nissan Almera

You'd probably be shocked if we were to catalogue a litany of fundamental faults with a Nissan. It isn't going to happen. The only boring thing about the second generation Almera is its metronomic reliability record.
Used Nissan Almera for sale

Nissan Almera Typical Pricing

Prices for a 2000 V registered Almera 1.5E kick off at £2,375, rising to £3,625 for an 02 plate edition. The upspec SE version with the same engine starts at £2,700 and rises to £4,900 for a 52-plate. Keen drivers will revel in the extra urge provided by the 1.8-litre engine and Sport and SE models both open at around £2,575 on a 2000 V plate, with the SE+ and Sport + variants commanding an additional £300.If diesel is more your cup of tea, Nissan's 2.2-litre turbo diesel unit is well worth looking out for. With S trim diesels starting at £3,025, SE variants at £3,150 and Sport+ models commanding £3,250 for 2000 V-plate examples, you don't have to spend big to save big. All Almera models attract reasonable insurance premiums with the 1.5 starting at Group 4 and even the raciest 1.8 Sport+ model squeaking into Group 7.
Used Nissan Almera for sale

Nissan Almera Parts

(approx. for a 1.5-litre hatchback) Consumables for the Almera are reasonable, although prices crank up for more specialist parts. Expect to fork out £12 for an air filter and a similar amount for a fuel filter. An oil filter retails at just over £5 whilst spark plugs are around £2.50 each.
Used Nissan Almera for sale