Verdict
The Nissan Almera costs RM6,012 less at RM83,888, yet its 152 Nm turbo torque arrives at 2,600 rpm and road tax is just RM20 yearly. The Honda City answers with 119 hp, a 519-litre boot and a larger 40-litre tank. More importantly, it brings six airbags against two, plus lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise control and a reverse camera with LaneWatch. For a Malaysian buyer who values active safety, cabin equipment and luggage room, the City earns its higher price; the Almera is the thriftier choice for low-speed torque and lower running costs.
Pick the Honda City if six airbags, Honda SENSING functions, a 519-litre boot and an 8.0-inch Apple CarPlay/Android Auto screen matter more than saving RM6,012.
Pick the Nissan Almera if you want to spend RM83,888, pay RM20 annual road tax and prefer 152 Nm from 2,600 rpm.
Key differences
- Price: Honda City RM89,900; Nissan Almera RM83,888.
- Output: Honda City 119 hp and 145 Nm; Nissan Almera 99 hp and 152 Nm.
- Safety: Honda City has 6 airbags and lane-keeping assist; Nissan Almera has 2 airbags and no lane-keeping assist.
- Boot space: Honda City 519 litres; Nissan Almera 482 litres.
- Fuel use and tank: Honda City 5.6 L/100 km with a 40-litre tank; Nissan Almera 5.4 L/100 km with a 35-litre tank.
- Wheelbase: Honda City 2,600 mm; Nissan Almera 2,620 mm.
City
- Six airbags, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction.
- 519-litre boot and 40-litre fuel tank.
- 8.0-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus LaneWatch reverse camera.
- Costs RM6,012 more and attracts RM90 annual road tax versus RM20.
- Its 145 Nm peak arrives at 4,300 rpm, versus 152 Nm at 2,600 rpm.
- Uses a tyre repair kit where the Almera has a space-saver spare.
Almera
- RM6,012 lower purchase price and RM20 annual road tax.
- 152 Nm turbo torque at 2,600 rpm and a 5.4 L/100 km rated figure.
- Space-saver spare tyre, plus front and rear foglamps.
- Only two airbags, against the City's six.
- No lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control or reverse camera.
- 482-litre boot and 35-litre tank are smaller than the City's 519 litres and 40 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM89,900 | 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 with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ | 99 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 152 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 73 mm × 89.5 mm | 72.2 mm × 81.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | — | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.2 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Co2 | — | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,577 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,748 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,467 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,116 kg | 1,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 519 litres✓ | 482 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/60R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | 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" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 2 (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, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Honda SENSING: ACC, CMBS, LKAS, LDW, RDM, Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector, Auto | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Fabric | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 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 | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers + 4 Tweeters | Radio with 4 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 with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| 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, with Honda LaneWatch | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Remote Engine Start | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Free labour for up to 5 services (100,000 km/5 years) | 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 City & Almera for sale
City vs Almera FAQ
Is the Honda City or Nissan Almera better?
The Honda City is the better-equipped safety and family-car choice, with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and a 519-litre boot. Choose the Nissan Almera for lower upfront cost, RM20 road tax and earlier turbo torque.
What is the price difference?
The Honda City costs RM89,900 and the Nissan Almera costs RM83,888, so the City is RM6,012 more expensive.
Which has lower running costs, the Honda City or Nissan Almera?
The Nissan Almera has the lower quoted fuel figure at 5.4 L/100 km versus 5.6 L/100 km, and its annual road tax is RM20 versus RM90. The City has a larger 40-litre tank, against 35 litres.
