Verdict
The Ativa is about 25% cheaper, while the Almera has a 23% bigger boot. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 83,888 | RM 62,500✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged and Intercooled with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 999 cc | 996 cc |
| Horsepower | 99 hp✓ | 97 hp |
| Torque | 152 Nm✓ | 140 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 71 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Xtronic CVT | D-CVT |
| Gears | 1 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Akashi Kikai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km | 5.3 L/100 km✓ |
| Co2 | 125 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,065 mm |
| Width | 1,740 mm | 1,710 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,525 mm |
| Weight | 1,090 kg | 1,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 36 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 482 litres✓ | 369 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | Goodyear Assurance Triplemax 2 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Front Departure Alert, Pedal Misoperation Control |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Reflectors with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-zone | Manual Air-con (Digital Controls with Memory Function) |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | Radio with Bluetooth, USB and Four Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up/Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Times Free Service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 20 | 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.