Verdict
At RM83,888 and RM89,888, these two Almera trims are mechanically the same: 999 cc turbo petrol, 99 hp, 152 Nm, Xtronic CVT, 5.4 L/100 km and a 482-litre boot. The RM6,000 gap buys the VLP extra safety and daily-use kit, mainly side and curtain airbags, reverse camera, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, auto climate control and 16-inch wheels. The VL is the cleaner buy if you just want the same drivetrain for less. For family use in Malaysia, the VLP’s safety upgrade is hard to ignore.
Pick the Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL if you want the same 99 hp turbo-CVT drivetrain and 5.4 L/100 km economy for less money, and can live with radio audio, manual air-con and no reverse camera.
Pick the Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP if the RM6,000 extra for side and curtain airbags, Apple CarPlay, reverse camera, auto climate control and 16-inch wheels matters to you.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL RM83,888; Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP RM89,888
- Kerb weight: Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL 1,090 kg; Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP 1,112 kg
- Wheels and tyres: Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL 15-inch alloys with 195/65R15 Bridgestone Ecopia EP150; Nissan Almera Turbo 1.
- Airbags: Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL driver and passenger; Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP driver and passenger, front side, front and rear curtain
- Audio: Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL radio with 4 speakers; Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP 8-inch Nissan Connect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and 6 speakers
- Cabin assistance: Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL manual single-zone air-con and no reverse camera; Nissan Almera Turbo 1.
Turbo 1.0 VL
- RM6,000 cheaper than the VLP
- Same 999 cc turbo engine, 99 hp, 152 Nm and Xtronic CVT
- Same 5.4 L/100 km rated economy and 482-litre boot
- Fewer airbags than the VLP, with no front side or curtain airbags
- No reverse camera
- Basic radio with 4 speakers instead of the VLP’s 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and 6 speakers
Turbo 1.0 VLP
- Adds front side plus front and rear curtain airbags
- Gets reverse camera, Apple CarPlay and 6 speakers
- Adds automatic climate control and 16-inch two-tone alloys
- Costs RM6,000 more than the VL
- 22 kg heavier than the VL
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 83,888✓ | RM 89,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 999 cc | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 99 hp | 99 hp |
| Torque | 152 Nm | 152 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Xtronic CVT | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | 1 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km |
| Co2 | 125 g/km | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,740 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,090 kg | 1,112 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 482 litres | 482 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| 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" Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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, 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 4 Speakers | 8" Nissan Connect Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and 6 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Times Free Service | 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.
Turbo 1.0 VL vs Turbo 1.0 VLP FAQ
Is the Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL or Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP better?
The Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP is better equipped, mainly because it adds side and curtain airbags, reverse camera, Apple CarPlay, six speakers and automatic climate control. The VL is better only if keeping the price down is the main aim.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL costs RM83,888, while the Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP costs RM89,888. The difference is RM6,000.
Do the Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL and Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP drive differently on paper?
Not by the main mechanical specs. Both use the same 999 cc turbo petrol engine, 99 hp, 152 Nm, Xtronic CVT and front-wheel drive. The VLP is 22 kg heavier and runs 205/55R16 tyres instead of 195/65R15.