Buy or Hold: Wait for 2020 Honda City or buy the now available Nissan Almera?

Buy or Hold: Wait for 2020 Honda City or buy the now available Nissan Almera?

It has been two weeks since Honda Malaysia last teased us with the all-new 2020 City images. With no confirmed launch date in hand, these images are the only source of hope and joy the fans currently have. However, with Honda Malaysia opening the 5th-gen City ordering books, we are sure that the sedan will arrive soon, probably in a month or two. Further, in a recent press release, Honda Malaysia MD and CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, confirmed the arrival of the all-new City RS trim. He said, “The launch of the all-new City RS with the new powertrain in Malaysia will be the world premiere and introduced for the first time ahead of other countries. We believe that this new model will excite the market with its advanced styling and engineering as Honda continues to lead the way in pioneering benchmarks and introducing Next Generation Advanced Technology that is ahead of its time.”

2020 Honda City

Today we are discussing a common dilemma many prospective buyers are going through, and that is: Whether to wait for the new City or instead go for Nissan Almera that’s available now?

We know that buying a car is a tough job. It involves a lot of thinking and, of course, includes your hard-earned money. Further, for most of the buyers, a new vehicle will serve as a companion for years to come. All these issues and more make the decision to buy a new car even more difficult. So, what to do when one has to choose between two amazing machines: the all-new 2020 Honda City and the Nissan Almera. While the arrival of the former is confirmed in the future, the later is available now. Both cars have a long, respectable standing in the D-segment sedan arena. Therefore, the only way to decide (if not an urgency which would mean going for the Almera) is by comparing the two on different parameters like design, cabin space and features, performance, and safety.

2020 Honda City exterior

Note, we are short on information on the upcoming Honda City as all the details are kept under covers by Honda Malaysia. So, we’ll be basing the comparison on the Indian-spec 2020 City. Why? Well, that’s because the teaser images of the City resemble a lot with that of the model recently launched in India. Also, it has been confirmed that the 5th-gen local-spec City will not feature the 1.0-litre turbo engine available in the Thai market. So, let’s get started.

Also Read: 2020 Honda City unveiled in India ahead of July launch 

2020 Honda City or Nissan Almera - dimensions

Dimensions 

Specifications

Nissan Almera

2020 Honda City 

Length

4,425 mm

4,549 mm

Width

1,695 mm

1,748 mm

Height 

1,500 mm

1,489 mm

Wheelbase

2,600 mm

2,600 mm

Trunk Space

490 litre

506 litres

Turning Radius

5.2 m

5.3 m

When comparing the two sedans based on dimensions, the all-new 2020 Honda City comes out to be lengthier and broader than the Almera. The two cars share the same wheelbase, which means the cabin space remains identical with the same legroom. However, the Almera is around 100 mm tall, so it offers more head-room. As far as the boot space is concerned, the City provides a slightly bigger boot. Overall, nothing extreme on this front on which you can base your decision.

Engine

Specifications

Nissan Almera

2020 Honda City 

Type

4-CYL, 16-Valves, DOHC with CVTC and Drive-by-Wire Technology

Water Cooled 4-CYL i-VTEC with VTC

Water Cooled 4-CYL i-DTEC DOHC

Displacement

1,498 cc

1,498 cc

1,498 cc

Power

102 PS at 6,000 rpm 

121 PS at 6,600 rpm

100 PS at 3,600

Torque

139 Nm at 4,000 rpm

145 Nm at 4,300 rpm

200 Nm at 1,750

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic 

Manual: 6 Forward & 1 Reverse

CVT 

Manual:  6 Forward & 1 Reverse

A 1,498cc powerplant powers both Nissan Almera and 2020 Honda City. While the Indian-spec 2020 City is available in both petrol and diesel options, the Almera is offered only in the petrol option. We are not sure about Malaysian-spec City fuel-type; however, we’ll appreciate it if we get the same engine specifications as the Indian-spec model. Comparing the petrol options of the Almera and 2020 City, the latter makes less power (2PS) and more torque (61Nm).
The petrol-powered model in City is paired with a manual, while the Almera features an automatic transmission option.

Here, we feel that with two fuel-type options and 61 Nm more torque over Nissan Almera, the 2020 City wins the performance round.

Design

We say it every time, and we’ll repeat it - design is a subjective area with each individual having a taste/liking of his own. Both Nissan Almera and 2020 Honda City showcase distinct styling. However, the 2020 City might look up-scale and modern as it’s brand-new, more suited to today’s taste. The Nissan Almera, on the other hand, has been in the running a while and that has started to show on its face. Now, let us see the exterior features on offer in two cars -

Nissan Almera

Features

2020 Honda City

Multi-reflector Halogen with manual levelizer

Headlamps

Full LED with 9 LED Array

LED

Daytime Running Lights

Integrated LED DRLs

LED 

Taillamps

Z-shaped 3D LED Units with Uniform Edge Light

-

Antenna

Shark Fin

Y-spoke 15-inch Alloy

Wheels

Diamond-cut 16-inch Multi-spoke Alloy Wheels

Outside Wing Mirror

Turn Indicators

LED Unit integrated on Door Mirror

 

Nissan Almera or 2020 Honda City: interior

Interior

Both Honda and Nissan have enabled their respective sedans with best-in-class quality and comfort features to enhance the driving pleasure. Let’s now compare the two cars cabin features and see which one is better -

Nissan Almera

Features

2020 Honda City

Remote Key/i-Key, Push Button Ignition

Smart Entry & Start System

Honda Smart Key System with Keyless Remote

Fabric

Seat Material

Exclusive Leather Upholstery with Contemporary Seat Design 

Five Vision Meter 

Multi-information Display

17.7 CMM HD Full Colour TFT Meter

Silver-trimmed with audio controls

Steering Wheel

Multi-functional 3-spoke with Telescopic and Tilt Adjuster

6.5-inch display with internet connectivity 

Audio System

7.9-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio with Smartphone Connectivity, Voice Command Support, AM/FM, MP3/WAV, i-Pod/i-Phone, Bluetooth, USB

Manual/Auto

Air-con System

Fully Automatic with MAX COOL Mode 

-

Rear AC Vents

With

-

Cabin Illumination

Leg Room Lamp, City Logo Projector 

The winner is obviously, the all-new 2020 Honda City. The upcoming sedan offers more and better than the Almera. But, if you are happy with simple, hassle-free tech, then Almera is no less, it is loaded with all the required cabin comforting and utility features.

Nissan Almera or 2020 Honda City: safety

Safety & Security

To comment on this aspect, we’ll first have to see what the two cars offer. So, let’s check out 2020 City and Almera specs sheet for safety features -

Nissan Almera

Features

2020 Honda City

Driver & Passenger

SRS Airbags

6

-

Vehicle Stability Control 

With Traction Control & Electronic Stability

-

Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

NA

-

Hill-start Assist Control

With

With

Anti-lock Braking System with EBD & BA

With 

The 5th-gen City packs more active and passive safety features. The Indian-spec model is further accompanied by safety options like Lane Watch Camera, Multi-Angle Rear Camera with Guidelines, Rear Parking Sensor, Agile Handling Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Automatic Headlight Control with Light Sensor, Auto-Dimming Inside Rear-View Mirror, and much more.

Price & Variants

In Malaysia, the Nissan Almera is available in two variant options - 1.5L E A/T and 1.5L VL A/T, priced at RM 65,699 and RM 75,419, respectively. The ongoing Honda City is offered at a starting price of RM 75,295, and seeing all that the 2020 City model is bringing to the table, we expect a healthy hike.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that the 2020 City is bigger, more technically enhanced, and slightly powerful than the Almera. But in the end, it all comes down to price, budget. The 2020 City is expected to receive a price hike, making it more expensive than the Almera sedan. So, we’d say if your pocket allows wait and go for the new City. If not, then Almera is your pick - it’s in the budget, is spacious, and packs all the necessary features (both comforting and safety).

Also Read: Honda City - Old vs. New

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