Verdict
At RM59,800, the Proton S70 costs RM24,088 less than the RM83,888 Nissan Almera, yet brings 118 hp, six airbags, a 500-litre boot and a larger 4,602-mm body. Its RM90 annual road tax is RM70 higher, and its 1,269-kg kerb weight is 179 kg above the Almera’s. The Almera counters with 152 Nm from 2,600 rpm, autonomous braking and a rated 5.4 L/100 km, but only two airbags and a 482-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers, the S70 is the stronger space-and-equipment buy; take the Nissan for its AEB and published economy.
Pick the Nissan Almera if autonomous braking, 152 Nm from 2,600 rpm and a rated 5.4 L/100 km matter more than cabin space and equipment.
Pick the Proton S70 if you want to spend RM24,088 less for more power, six airbags, a reverse camera and a larger boot.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Almera RM83,888; Proton S70 RM59,800.
- Power and torque: Almera 99 hp and 152 Nm; S70 118 hp and 150 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Almera RM20; S70 RM90.
- Airbags: Almera 2; S70 6.
- Length: Almera 4,495 mm; S70 4,602 mm.
- Boot space: Almera 482 litres; S70 500 litres.
Almera
- Autonomous braking and collision warning
- 152 Nm arrives at 2,600 rpm
- Rated fuel consumption of 5.4 L/100 km
- RM24,088 more expensive
- Two airbags versus the S70’s six
- No rear AC vents, reverse camera or cruise control
S70
- RM24,088 lower purchase price
- 118 hp, six airbags and blind-spot information system
- 500-litre boot, rear AC vents and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- RM70 higher annual road tax
- No autonomous braking, while the Almera has it
- No auto headlamps or telescopic steering adjustment
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM83,888 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM20✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC DVVT (i-GT), Port Fuel Injection |
| Capacity | 999 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 99 hp at 5,000 rpm | 118 hp at 6,100 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 152 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ | 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.3 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Xtronic CVT | 8-speed CVT with Manual Mode |
| Gears | 1 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 5.4 L/100 km | — |
| Co2 | 125 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,495 mm | 4,602 mm |
| Width | 1,740 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,627 mm |
| Weight | 1,090 kg | 1,269 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 35 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 482 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/65R15 | 205/55R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 16" Turbine-style Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Passenger) | 6 (Dual Front, Side and Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | ISOFIX with Top Tether |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Rear Seat Reminder, All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning; no AEB/ACC/lane-keep (camera ADAS reserved for 1.5TD Flagship variants) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Fabric |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Single-zone | Manual Air Conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | Radio with 4 Speakers | 8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up/Down with Anti-trap |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start with Remote Engine Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | Cruise Control with Speed Limiter |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5 Times Free Service | 6x free labour servicing |
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 Almera & S70 for sale
Almera vs S70 FAQ
Is the Nissan Almera or Proton S70 better?
The Proton S70 is the better buy for price, power, space and passive safety: it costs less, has 118 hp, six airbags and a 500-litre boot. The Nissan Almera is preferable if autonomous braking and its rated 5.4 L/100 km economy are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Proton S70 costs RM59,800 and the Nissan Almera costs RM83,888, so the S70 is RM24,088 cheaper.
Which sedan has better safety equipment?
The S70 has six airbags, blind-spot information and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Almera has two airbags. However, the Almera gets autonomous braking and collision warning; the S70 does not have autonomous braking.
