Verdict
These rivals split cleanly. The Almera’s 482-litre boot is 196 litres ahead of the Yaris, and its 2,620-mm wheelbase is 70 mm longer. Its 999-cc turbo produces 152 Nm, just ahead of the Yaris’ 150 Nm, although Toyota has 105 hp to Nissan’s 99 hp. Yet the hatchback counters with seven airbags, LED headlamps and a 360-degree camera. The Almera makes stronger sense for luggage and lower running tax; the Yaris is the better-equipped choice if safety hardware is the priority.
Pick the Nissan Almera if you need a 482-litre boot, a longer 2,620-mm wheelbase and RM20 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Yaris if seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, LED headlamps and a 9.0-inch touchscreen matter more than outright boot space.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Almera RM83,888; Toyota Yaris RM88,000.
- Boot space: Nissan Almera 482 litres; Toyota Yaris 286 litres.
- Power and torque: Nissan Almera 99 hp and 152 Nm; Toyota Yaris 105 hp and 150 Nm.
- Safety airbags: Nissan Almera two airbags; Toyota Yaris seven airbags.
- Road tax per year: Nissan Almera RM20; Toyota Yaris RM90.
- Length and wheelbase: Nissan Almera 4,495 mm and 2,620 mm; Toyota Yaris 4,140 mm and 2,550 mm.
Almera
- 482-litre boot
- 152 Nm from a 999-cc turbo engine
- RM20 annual road tax and telescopic steering adjustment
- Two airbags versus the Yaris’ seven
- No reverse camera, while the Yaris gets a 360-degree camera
- Halogen reflector headlamps and a four-speaker radio
Yaris
- Seven airbags and a stated five-star ASEAN NCAP rating
- 360-degree camera with four rear parking sensors
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 286-litre boot versus the Almera’s 482 litres
- RM90 annual road tax against the Almera’s RM20
- No telescopic steering adjustment
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM83,888✓ | RM88,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM20✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 999 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 99 hp | 105 hp✓ |
| Torque | 152 Nm✓ | 150 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 72 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Xtronic CVT | CVT with 7 Speed Sports Sequential Shift |
| Gears | 1 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km | — |
| Co2 | 125 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,140 mm |
| Width | 1,740 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,550 mm |
| Weight | 1,090 kg | 1,140 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 42 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 482 litres✓ | 286 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/65R15 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/65R15 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | Toyo Proxes R50 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED 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 Single-zone | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 9.0" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| 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 Almera & Yaris for sale
Almera vs Yaris FAQ
Is the Nissan Almera or Toyota Yaris better?
The Yaris is better equipped for safety and convenience, with seven airbags, LED headlamps and a 360-degree camera. The Almera is the more practical luggage carrier, with a 482-litre boot versus 286 litres, and costs less to tax annually.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Almera costs RM83,888 and the Toyota Yaris costs RM88,000, so the Yaris is RM4,112 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Nissan Almera has the larger boot at 482 litres. The Toyota Yaris has 286 litres, a 196-litre deficit, although it has a five-door hatchback body.