Verdict
The Nissan Almera N18 costs RM19,001 more, but it brings the meaningful generational change: 152 Nm from its 1.0-litre turbo, a CVT, 5.4 L/100 km rated economy and stability control. More importantly, it adds a passenger airbag and autonomous braking where the N17 has only a driver airbag and no stability control. The N17 remains the cheaper manual choice, with a slightly larger 490-litre boot and 41-litre tank, but the N18 is the stronger Malaysian daily sedan on safety and running-cost figures.
Pick the Nissan Almera N17 if you want the RM64,887 entry price, a five-speed manual, a 490-litre boot and a full-size spare wheel.
Pick the Nissan Almera N18 if you can pay RM83,888 for the CVT, 152 Nm turbo torque, 5.4 L/100 km rating and its far fuller active-safety kit.
Key differences
- Price: N17 RM64,887; N18 RM83,888 — a RM19,001 gap.
- Powertrain: N17 1.5L naturally aspirated, 101 hp/139 Nm with 5MT; N18 1.0L turbo, 99 hp/152 Nm with Xtronic CVT.
- Rated economy: N17 6.3 L/100 km; N18 5.4 L/100 km.
- Safety: N17 has one driver airbag and no stability control; N18 has driver and passenger airbags plus stability control and autonomous braking.
- Dimensions: N17 is 4,425 mm long on a 2,600 mm wheelbase; N18 is 4,495 mm long on a 2,620 mm wheelbase.
- Practicality: N17 has a 490-litre boot and 41-litre tank; N18 has a 482-litre boot and 35-litre tank.
N17
- RM19,001 cheaper to buy
- Five-speed manual transmission
- 490-litre boot and full-size spare
- No stability control or autonomous braking
- Driver airbag only, versus two airbags
- Higher 6.3 L/100 km rated consumption
N18
- 152 Nm turbo torque with Xtronic CVT
- Stability control, two airbags and autonomous braking
- 5.4 L/100 km rating; five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Costs RM19,001 more
- 482-litre boot is 8 litres smaller
- 35-litre tank is 6 litres smaller and the spare is space-saver
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM64,887✓ | RM83,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90 | RM20✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp✓ | 99 hp |
| Torque | 139 Nm | 152 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 78 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5MT | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | 5 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.3 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km✓ |
| Co2 | —✓ | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,425 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,020 kg | 1,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 41 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 482 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/65R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/65R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 15" Steel | 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" Steel | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Steel | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 4 stars — With 1 airbag and no stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver Only | 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | AM/FM Tuner, CD-Player, MP3, AUX Input with 4 Speakers | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote control activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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 cars for sale
N17 vs N18 FAQ
Is the Nissan Almera N17 or Nissan Almera N18 better?
The Nissan Almera N18 is better for most buyers. Its 152 Nm turbo-CVT powertrain, 5.4 L/100 km economy rating, stability control, two airbags and autonomous braking justify moving on from the N17 if the RM19,001 higher price fits.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Almera N18 is RM19,001 dearer: RM83,888 against RM64,887 for the Nissan Almera N17.
Which Almera has the better safety equipment?
The Nissan Almera N18. It has driver and passenger airbags, stability control, collision warning and autonomous braking. The N17 has a driver airbag only and lacks stability control.