2006 Nissan Almera dCi 2.2 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very good motorway cruiser

Faults:

Turbo blown due to faulty actuator. Subject to a recall. Turbo is liable to over boosting. Main dealer should change.

General Comments:

Fast car in straight line. Doesn't handle like its Golf equivalent.

Torque steer big issue, especially in the wet.

Liable to under steer under heavy acceleration.

Liable to over steer on sharp cornering in wet.

Massive flat spot in performance from 3k RPM.

6 speed transmission adds to the fuel economy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th May, 2009

2006 Nissan Almera SVE 1.5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very good, but not brilliant

Faults:

Nothing has gone, but the fuel consumption is awful as I am only at the moment averaging 24mpg. Hopefully as the engine loosens up it will improve.

General Comments:

Great car very comfortable, but there are 2 things I do not like as mentioned the fuel consumption is appaling at present and although I am 5'7 the seating position is much to low.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st May, 2006

2006 Nissan Almera TEKNA 1.8 from Israel

Summary:

Simply does everything very good

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

After six months of ownership I am extremely pleased with almost everything.

The Almera is very underrated in the press and I can tell you why: it does everything very well, but simply doesn't do one thing distinctively better then the competition to attract the attention of magazine gloss-heads.

It's their loss, believe me, as the Almera is an excellent car that can teach most other small family cars a lesson or two about build quality, handling, performance and reliability.

It has a fast engine with awesome power at low revs (using Nissan's NVCT technology), grips the road like nobody's business (excellent rear MultiLink suspension), great handling and amazing brakes, reliable, economical with an elegant design and comfy cabin.

I have no doubt that among compact family cars the Almera can definitely receive the title as the "drivers car". The Almera is really fun to drive and simply begs for long, twisted roads to show her full potential (and she has lots of it).

The cabin is well made (It's Nissan, so I didn't expect less), very ergonomic and I really like the central 7" control screen.

I'm a very happy Nissan customer and I promise you that my next car is definitely going to be a Nissan.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2006

30th Apr 2006, 08:54

Great review! I totally agree. Also an Almera owner and 100 % pleased. Great car, one of the best in its class no matter what the general opinion is. Tight, firm handling, long equipment list and legendary reliability.

I also own a Toyota Corolla 2006. While my wife prefers the Corolla I don't. It is boring and feels too soft and rubbery compared to the Almera which, in comparison, is sharper and more precise on the road.

Better then most cars in the price range. As the reviewer said, nothing spectacular, but everything is simply executed nicely.

23rd May 2006, 10:25

Hang on, aren't Nissan's in fact Renault's? How come Nissan cars are good and Renault's really bad (judging from the reviews)??

14th Sep 2007, 17:21

The Nissan Almera is a much better car than the corolla. Its handling is better, its braking is better and power is superb. GET ONE. I really enjoy this car unlike the 2005 corolla, which really haven't changed.

14th Aug 2009, 14:39

Nissan is a Japanese brand while Renault is French. Though Renault got high hold in Nissan's shares, it (Nissan) still is a Japanese brand and of very high quality than that of Renault's. Think about this: why is Nissan available worldwide while renault isn't? Quality issue might be the answer.

13th Oct 2009, 03:24

Well, I was driving Almera sedan 1.7 for a week, while my Xsara was in service (due to crash). Almera gives such bad feeling in curves, I was all the time afraid it will roll. Maybe my mistake is that I am used to Citroen's smooth ride ;)