Nissan Almera from $16,990

The Nissan Almera compact sedan has landed in Australia priced from $16,990, providing the importer renewed opportunity to build sales in the light-car market segment.

Hatchback models far outnumber sedans in the light car segment, but the Almera will still have the Holden Barina, Ford Fiesta, Honda City, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio sedans to keep it company in the market.

The Almera is the sedan cousin of the Micra (they share Nissan’s global V-platform) but is longer by around 70cm which almost doubles boot space, up from the Micra's 251 to 490 litres. Interior space is above average for the light car class and benefits rear seat passengers in particular, the Almera's rear seat legroom being rated at 940mm, which is 36mm more room than Toyota Yaris and 94mm more than Hyundai Accent. Nissan Australia's CEO William F Peffer Jr. says the increased interior space will be one of the car's key selling points.

“More people are looking to small cars, but their lifestyle still requires a car that can accommodate good cabin and boot space. The exceptional design and packaging of the Almera answers that call."

In addition to the platform, the Almera also shares its 1.5-litre four-cylinder 75kW/139Nm engine with Micra and can be had with five-speed manual and four-speed automatic gearboxes. Fuel consumption is middle of the road for the class, rated at 6.3L/100km.

A keen standard features list, low running costs and a large interior are highlights of the all-new Almera, of which two models will be offered -- the entry-level ST and the range topping Ti. Pricing is as follows:

Nissan Almera ST manual: $16,990
Nissan Almera ST automatic: $18,990
Nissan Almera Ti automatic: $20,990

Nissan is offering special drive-away deals to the end of August 2012 - $17,990 for the Almera ST manual and $22,490 for automatic transmission Almera T - while an additional enticement is here to stay, the launch of Nissan's new six-year/120,000km Capped Price Servicing plan.

Standard equipment comprises Bluetooth telephony, central locking with remote keyless entry, a four-speaker MP3-compatible stereo with steering wheel controls, and though the car hasn't been tested by ANCAP it gets electronic stability control, antilock brakes and six airbags, including curtain airbags.

The range-topping Nissan Almera Ti adds things like climate control, intelligent keyless entry and push button engine start, rear parking sensors and a handful of exterior upgrades such as 15-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and a rear spoiler.

Built in Thailand, the Almera is offered in different six colours, Brilliant Silver, Burning Red, Deep Sapphire, Ebony, Titanium and White Diamond, and is badged Nissan Versa in the USA where it is the top selling car in its class.

The first of several new Nissan vehicles scheduled to hit local showrooms in the next 18 months, including the new Pulsar small car and Altima medium car, the Almera compact sedan is part of a new model strategy to increase market share in Australia.

"The introduction of Almera to the Nissan product portfolio begins the renewal of our passenger car range, with Pulsar and Altima to enter the local market next year. With the Altima also on-track in the V8 Supercars Championship from next season, there are exciting times ahead for Nissan’s sedan range," concluded Mr Peffer.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.