Nissan ALMERA 2.2dCi RANGE
Diesel Makes A Sensible Choice If You're Buying A Family Hatchback. But Will Cars Like
Nissan's Almera Persuade People To Make The Switch? Jonathan Crouch Decides
By and large, family hatchback buyers seem to be a pretty sensible set of people. Rather curious then, that more of them don't opt for diesel power.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
|
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
 |
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
Take the
Nissan Almera. Once upon a time, just 5% of sales were diesel-driven. No longer. The current model offers a choice between two notably punchy diesel engines.
Theres a pokey 112bhp 2.2-litre common rail dCi engine that most buyers will choose, but for those who appreciate something with a little more muscle, theres also a 2.2-litre dCi powerplant that manages no less than 136bhp. Available solely in range-topping SXE guise, this is the most expensive Almera available, evidence of the faith Nissan have in diesel engines.
These engines have shifted what was an unspectacular range of cars into a new gear, an evolution further assisted by the most recent package of changes. These have included a minor facelift with restyled headlamps and a curvier front bumper. If you want it in more detail, the upper and lower grilles are now honeycombed and the headlights have clear lenses which house a four circle lamp system. Moving to the back, the tail lights on the hatchback are also a good deal more interesting than the outgoing car, with overlapping circles much like the larger Primera.
The family link with the Almeras bigger brother is a little more tenuous once you move indoors. It was here that the Primera broke new ground with its N-FORM centre console and though Nissan claim to have adapted the Almera to accommodate the system, much of the visual drama has been removed. Whereas the Primera features a horizontal shelf that juts out from the centre console atop which are the N-FORM controls, the Almera merely installs said controls in the vertical slot where the old knobs and buttons were. Still, it looks a good deal neater and works a treat.
"No other rival should prove easier to live with..."
The 112bhp 2.2-litre dCi diesel unit replaces the old direct injection diesel engine which was still a pretty good engine in its own right and adds a little more smoothness, power and economy. Its a very efficient engine, returning around 50mpg in normal use, and thanks to the large 2.2-litre capacity, decently powerful too.
Rest to 60 occupies a reasonable 111.2s on the way to a maximum of 118mph. The 2.2-litre 136bhp dCi engine feels a good deal stronger, the additional verve being particularly apparent in the mid range.
To give you an idea of how muscular it feels, its torque figure of 224/lb ft isnt far removed from a
Ford RS Focus. Thus equipped, an Almera SXE dCi will accelerate to 60mph in nine seconds flat yet will still return an average fuel consumption figure that knocks on the door of 48mpg. We focus on the three and five-door hatchback body styles here, but a
mini-MPV called the Almera Tino is also available if you want something more versatile. Not that the standard hatchback lacks much in this department.
Thanks to a host of clever interior touches, no other rival in the Ford Focus/
Vauxhall Astra class is easier to live with than the latest Almera. And thanks to the chassis excellence carried over from the original model, it remains, even in heavy diesel form, one of the best cars in its class to drive. Prices are super-competitive of course (from £12,300 to £15,250 for diesel buyers), as are equipment levels. Almera dCi buyers choose from three trim grades Flare, SE and SVE.
All come with air conditioning, central locking, electric front windows, twin front airbags, illuminated vanity mirrors, a head restraint plus three-point
seat belt for the centre rear passenger, a four-speaker RDS radio-cassette with remote controls, a pollen filter, front and rear cup holders, a boot-mounted accessory power socket and an engine immobiliser. The SVE now features satellite navigation as standard. The SXE trim level, available for 2.2-litre dCi buyers also adds refinements such as electronic stability control and a subtle spoiler kit.
Whichever version you opt for, youll find the Almera has moved up a class, with a quality feel reminiscent of something much more expensive. That probably won't be what you remember however, after the salesperson guides you round the 'super utility' interior which is filled with clever touches. Not all of them are new, but the way they're executed is better than anything family buyers have seen to date. The shape's practical too, with plenty of headroom and decent space for three across a comfortable back seat that split-folds to reveal 355 litres of space (25 litres more than a VW Golf). In the front, provided you specify the optional side airbags, the seats can be fitted with Active Head Restraints that reduce whiplash injury if you're hit from the rear. Which is a possibility, for the braking performance has been much improved thanks to a 'Brake Assist' system that reduces the pedal effort required to activate ABS by around 30% in an emergency. In summary, the latest Almera diesel is well worth checking out. If your budget permits, the latest dCi engine is well worth the additional funds, being both refined and agreeably rapid. Perhaps in due course Nissan will offer it in more affordable guises, but until then, you wont feel short changed by the 2.
2DCi 112bhp versions. The Almera has long been one of Nissans underachievers. Perhaps now it will brave the limelight.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan Almera diesel range
PRICES: £12,300-£15,250 - on the road
CO2 EMISSIONS: 161g/km
INSURANCE GROUP: 7-8
PERFORMANCE: (dCi 136bhp) Max Speed 124mph / 0-60mph 9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (dCi 136bhp) (urban) 35.8mpg / (extra-urban); 58.8mpg / (combined) 47.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4120/1690/1395mm [3dr] August 13th 2003
<< Back to Nissan car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Nissan Cars For Sale UK
