Verdict
These are not merely old and new Almeras. The N18’s 999cc turbo makes 152 Nm from 2,600 rpm, against the N17’s 139 Nm at 4,000 rpm, while rated consumption falls from 6.3 to 5.4 L/100 km. Its CVT suits the daily commute, and it adds stability control plus autonomous braking. The older N17 counters with a 490-litre boot and 41-litre tank, but its single airbag and five-speed manual place it firmly in budget-used-car territory. N18 road tax is RM20 a year versus RM90.
Pick the Nissan Almera N17 Facelift if you want the larger 490-litre boot, 41-litre fuel tank and a full-size spare tyre.
Pick the Nissan Almera N18 if you want the CVT, stronger low-rpm torque, lower rated fuel use and substantially better active safety.
Key differences
- Powertrain: N17 has a 1,498cc naturally aspirated inline-four with 101 hp and 139 Nm; N18 has a 999cc turbo inline-three with 99 hp and 152 Nm.
- Transmission: N17 uses a five-speed manual; N18 uses a Jatco Xtronic CVT automatic.
- Economy and road tax: N17 is rated at 6.3 L/100 km and RM90 yearly; N18 at 5.4 L/100 km and RM20 yearly.
- Safety: N17 has one driver airbag and no stability control; N18 has two airbags, stability control and autonomous braking.
- Carrying capacity: N17 has a 490-litre boot and 41-litre tank; N18 has a 482-litre boot and 35-litre tank.
- Warranty: N17 gets three years/100,000 km; N18 gets five years/unlimited mileage plus five free services.
N17 Facelift
- 490-litre boot, 8 litres larger than the N18’s
- 41-litre fuel tank, versus 35 litres
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre
- One driver airbag only, with no stability control or autonomous braking
- Five-speed manual instead of a CVT automatic
- Three-year/100,000-km warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage
N18
- 152 Nm from 2,600 rpm and a 5.4 L/100 km rating
- Xtronic CVT automatic transmission
- Stability control, autonomous braking and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 482-litre boot versus the N17’s 490 litres
- 35-litre fuel tank versus 41 litres
- Space-saver spare tyre instead of a full-size spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM64,960✓ | 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, variable valve timing | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 999 cc |
| Horsepower | 101 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 99 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 139 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 152 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 78 mm × 78.4 mm | 72.2 mm × 81.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.1 | 9.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 5MT | Xtronic CVT |
| Gears | 5 | 1 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.3 L/100 km | 5.4 L/100 km✓ |
| Co2 | —✓ | 125 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,425 mm | 4,495 mm |
| Width | 1,695 mm | 1,740 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,020 kg | 1,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 41 litres | 35 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 482 litres |
| Front Tyre | 185/65R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 185/65R15 | 195/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 15" Steel | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiComfortContact CC5 | Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 15" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | 4 stars — With 1 airbag and no stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 1 (Driver Only) | 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Single-zone |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | AM/FM Tuner, CD-Player, MP3, USB, AUX Input with 4 Speakers | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote control activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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.
Used cars for sale
N17 Facelift vs N18 FAQ
Is the Nissan Almera N17 Facelift or Nissan Almera N18 better?
The Nissan Almera N18 is the better daily car: it has a CVT, 152 Nm at 2,600 rpm, stability control and autonomous braking. Choose the N17 Facelift only if its larger boot, larger fuel tank and full-size spare matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Almera N17 Facelift costs RM64,960 and the Nissan Almera N18 costs RM83,888, so the difference is RM18,928.
Which Almera has the better safety equipment?
The Nissan Almera N18 does. It has two airbags, stability control, collision warning and autonomous braking. The N17 Facelift has one driver airbag, ABS/EBD, but no stability control or autonomous braking.
