Verdict
The Honda City is RM1,012 dearer, but the money buys a stronger 1.5-litre package: 119 hp versus the Nissan Almera’s 99 hp, plus a larger 519-litre boot against 482 litres. The Almera counters with 152 Nm to the City’s 145 Nm, a longer 2,620 mm wheelbase and lower running costs, using 5.4 L/100 km versus 5.6 L/100 km, with RM20 road tax instead of RM90. Both are CKD B-segment sedans with CVT, front-wheel drive, five seats, AEB and a 5-year warranty. The safety count swings it: six airbags beats two.
Pick the Honda City if you want more power, a bigger boot and six airbags for a small price jump.
Pick the Nissan Almera if lower road tax, slightly better fuel economy and the longer wheelbase matter more than power and airbag count.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM84,900; Nissan Almera RM83,888
- Engine and power: Honda City 1,498 cc with 119 hp; Nissan Almera 999 cc with 99 hp
- Torque: Honda City 145 Nm; Nissan Almera 152 Nm
- Fuel economy: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km; Nissan Almera 5.4 L/100 km
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Nissan Almera 482 litres
- Airbags and road tax: Honda City 6 airbags and RM90/year; Nissan Almera 2 airbags and RM20/year
City
- 119 hp is 20 hp up on the Almera
- 519-litre boot is larger
- Six airbags, with AEB included
- Costs RM1,012 more
- Uses 5.6 L/100 km versus 5.4 L/100 km
- Road tax is RM90/year versus RM20/year
Almera
- RM83,888 price is lower
- 152 Nm is higher than the City’s 145 Nm
- RM20 yearly road tax is cheap
- Only two airbags
- 99 hp is down on the City’s 119 hp
- 482-litre boot is smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM84,900 | RM83,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| 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 | 10.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Co2 | — | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,125 kg | 1,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 482 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | 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, Front and Rear 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| 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 | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-conditioning | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| 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 Bluetooth and 4 Speakers | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | 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 |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | — |
| 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 | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years | 5 Times Free Service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM20✓ |
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 & Almera for sale
City vs Almera FAQ
Is the Honda City or Nissan Almera better?
The Honda City is the better all-round pick on these numbers, mainly because it has 119 hp, a 519-litre boot and six airbags. The Nissan Almera is better for lower running costs and has more torque.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM84,900 and the Nissan Almera costs RM83,888, so the City is RM1,012 more expensive.
Which car is cheaper to run?
The Nissan Almera has the advantage on stated running costs, with 5.4 L/100 km fuel economy and RM20 yearly road tax. The Honda City is rated at 5.6 L/100 km and RM90 yearly road tax.