Verdict
The Honda City Hatchback costs RM2,012 more, but it brings 119 hp, six airbags, Honda Sensing with steering correction and adaptive cruise control. Its 289-litre boot is far smaller than the Almera’s 482 litres, however, and the Nissan’s 152 Nm turbo torque beats the Honda’s 145 Nm. Pick the Honda for its hatchback body, ULTRA Seat and stronger safety equipment; pick the Almera if a proper sedan boot, lower RM20 annual road tax and 5.4 L/100 km rated economy matter more. They are close on price, but not in priorities.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if you want six airbags, lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise control and flexible ULTRA Seat packaging.
Pick the Nissan Almera if you need its 482-litre boot, 152 Nm turbo torque, 5.4 L/100 km rated economy and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City Hatchback RM85,900; Nissan Almera RM83,888.
- Engine output: Honda City Hatchback 119 hp and 145 Nm; Nissan Almera 99 hp and 152 Nm.
- Boot space: Honda City Hatchback 289 litres; Nissan Almera 482 litres.
- Safety airbags: Honda City Hatchback six airbags; Nissan Almera driver and passenger airbags.
- Driver assistance: Honda City Hatchback has steering correction and adaptive cruise control; Nissan Almera has no lane-keeping assist or cruise control.
- Annual road tax: Honda City Hatchback RM90; Nissan Almera RM20.
City Hatchback
- 119 hp from a 1.5-litre engine
- Six airbags plus Honda Sensing steering correction
- ULTRA Seat and five-door hatchback body
- 289-litre boot trails the Almera’s 482 litres
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM20
- 145 Nm is 7 Nm below the Almera
Almera
- 482-litre sedan boot
- 152 Nm turbo torque
- Rated at 5.4 L/100 km with RM20 annual road tax
- Only driver and passenger airbags versus the Honda’s six
- No lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control
- 99 hp is 20 hp down on the Honda
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM85,900 | RM83,888✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM20✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp✓ | 99 hp |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 152 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 195 km/h | — |
| Co2 | — | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,350 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,488 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,149 kg | 1,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 289 litres | 482 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5 Times Free Service |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used City Hatchback & Almera for sale
City Hatchback vs Almera FAQ
Is the Honda City Hatchback or Nissan Almera better?
The Honda City Hatchback is better for safety equipment and flexible cargo seating, with six airbags, steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The Nissan Almera is better for boot capacity, with 482 litres against 289 litres, plus lower road tax and a rated 5.4 L/100 km.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City Hatchback is RM2,012 more expensive than the Nissan Almera. That gap buys six airbags, lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise control, paddle shifts and the ULTRA Seat system.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Nissan Almera has the bigger boot at 482 litres, 193 litres more than the Honda City Hatchback’s 289 litres. The Honda counters with a five-door hatchback body and ULTRA Seat rear-seat arrangement.