Nissan Almera - Review

Let's start with some honesty... this is my car, I own it. The insurance documents are in my name. I've tried not to be biased, but like a lot of things, it's easier said than done.

When you see it for the first time side on you think “Golly, that’s an interesting shape”. Not that it’s bad, it’s just that its nose is at a slightly funny angle and its bum seems to be sticking out. Sitting next to an old Vauxhall Astra or Honda Civic, it somehow looks funkier and newer. Interior wise it’s quite generous. Front electric windows, air conditioning, and loads of little storage and cubby holes that you will probably miss the first time you get in. There’s even a little compartment by the front ceiling light that holds sunglasses. Might sound a bit pointless, but... erm, it is practical. Fans of CD’s however be warned that mine’s just got a tape deck, but I’m sure you can find a CD player on a newer model. The interior trim is of a nice quality too. True it’s all plastics in the front, but they feel as if the maker made an effort, rather than just using the stuff you get at the base of biscuit tins. There is the odd bit of basics plastic, like the bit surrounding the gear knob’s base which I’ve never been a fan of and after six and a bit years some of the beige coloured plastics can be a bit stained. Though nothings cracked or broken, so it’s obviously solid.  The back’s similar, though not as much room and the manual winding windows might irritate some.

The engine? It’s a similar story; it has life but doesn’t catapult you into the nearest hedge, and it’s surprisingly quiet at times, especially when waiting at the lights. But it is a 1.5 litre petrol, so not the cheapest or most economical to run. And that is the only engine the Almera had (except for a mythical 2 litre, but they were about as common as solid gold break pedals)  so you won’t be finding anything smaller in recent models. On the bright side it is insurance group 5, and can do over 40 miles per gallon on a good day which are both pretty good. The ride’s a mixed bag too. For instance; it’s generally very smooth and comfortable but you occasionally get the odd bump or judder from under you, as if one of the wheels just sneezed. It can also lean a fair amount when cornering which can be somewhat alarming; however, I drive a tad too quickly sometimes, so it’s probably due to me, not the car.

Overall you get the feeling that the car was well thought out; it’s comfortable, easy to drive, nippy when it wants to be, visibility is very good. The boot’s a good size too and with the back seats down you could fit a lot of stuff in there; trust me.

 I like it, well I would do, I own it. I do have one reservation though. As I've said, all is nice, but nothing particularly stands out, which is a pity.