Verdict
The Almera is about 74% cheaper, the ES is 51% more powerful, while the Almera has a 13% bigger boot. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,888 | RM 83,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 204 hp✓ | 99 hp |
| Torque | 247 Nm✓ | 152 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.1 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | — |
| Co2 | — | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,975 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,660 kg | 1,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 482 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Cushion Bag | 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projectors | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest with Audio and Air-con Controls | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade | — |
| Audio | 8" Remote Touch Interface, Lexus Premium Audio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and Pioneer 10-speaker System | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Smart Card Key | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5 Times Free Service |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 867 | RM 20✓ |
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.