Verdict
The Almera has a 56% bigger boot, the Aruz is about 18% cheaper, while the Almera uses 16% less fuel. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM83,888 | RM68,900✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM20✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 999 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 99 hp at 5,000 rpm | 101 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 152 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ | 133 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.3 mm | 72 mm × 91.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Xtronic CVT | 4 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 1 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km✓ | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Co2 | 125 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,435 mm |
| Width | 1,740 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,705 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,685 mm |
| Weight | 1,090 kg | 1,300 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 482 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 195/65R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/65R15 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | Bridgestone Alenza 001A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Live Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 17" Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| 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 Middle Row with one-touch tumble, manual recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-zone | Manual Air-con (digital controls with memory function) |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Last Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 3 Front, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 6 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | — | Automatic Door-Lock Past 20 km/h |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 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.
