Spec Check: 2022 Nissan Almera vs Honda City

We check out which is the better B-segment sedan, the Honda City or the Nissan Almera

Yesterday, we compared the all-new Nissan Almera against the Toyota Vios to see which of the two B-segment sedans was better. Based on our spec check, the Almera is bigger, has a more powerful engine, and comes with more safety features (Nissan Intelligent Mobility). Meanwhile, the Vios is more affordable, has more variants available, and is slightly taller than the Almera.

When it comes to amenities, both are fairly equipped including automatic climate control, leather upholstery on high-grade variants, and touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

So the Vios and Almera seem to be evenly matched with one another. But what about the Honda City? Launched late last year, the seventh-generation model gets a radical redesign inside and out. It's also equipped with new high-tech amenities and safety features and comes with an upgraded i-VTEC powertrain. With the Almera being the newest kid on the block, does it have what it takes to beat the Honda City?

Let's find out.

Which one is bigger?

While the Almera managed to beat the Toyota Vios in terms of size, the Honda City is bigger than Nissan's new B-segment sedan. With exterior dimensions that measure 4553mm x 1748mm x 1467mm, the City is 23mm longer, 8mm wider, and 7mm taller than the Almera.

Despite the City being the larger vehicle, the Nissan Almera does have a longer wheelbase. Whereas the City already has an impressive 2600mm wheelbase, the Almera bounces back with a slightly longer 2620mm wheelbase.

With both sedans offering plenty of space, it seems passengers will have no trouble getting comfortable inside the City or the Almera. But what available features do the two sedans have?

Fully Loaded

It goes without saying that one of the biggest selling points of selling a car is the number of features it has. Fortunately, both the Honda City and Nissan Almera have plenty to offer.

Starting with the City, all CVT variants come with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth, and smartphone weblink. The manual version only has a 2-DIN head unit for infotainment. On higher-grade models, the City gets automatic climate control, an engine start/stop button, a front center armrest, and a four-speaker sound system. Available only on the top-of-the-line RS, however, are rear A/C vents, full leather upholstery, an eight-speaker sound system, and a rear center armrest with integrated cupholders.

As for the Almera, all models come with automatic climate control and a keyless entry system. The VE and VL models are equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (EL only gets a 2-DIN sound system) that supports Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, USB, and Aux. Sorry Android users; the Almera does not come with Android Auto as standard. Other available features in the Almera include an engine start/stop button, a six-speaker sound system, leather upholstery on the VL N-Sport, and a rear center armrest with built-in cupholders.

The Honda City may already be a year old, but it has plenty of features that can rival that of the Almera's.

Turbo vs N/A

Under the hood, both the City and Almera only come with one engine.

The Honda is powered by an upgraded 1.5-liter, naturally-aspirated i-VTEC four-cylinder engine. Now with double overhead cams (DOHC), the engine produces 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque – 1 PS more than the single overhead cam (SOHC) version from before. Available transmissions include a CVT and a six-speed manual gearbox.

As mentioned before, the Almera packs a smaller but slightly torquier 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo. While it only makes 100 PS, the turbocharged inline-three makes more torque at 152 Nm on the CVT versions. Meanwhile, the manual has more pulling power at 160 Nm. Transmission options for the Almera include a CVT and a five-speed manual gearbox.

The City's i-VTEC engine may produce more horsepower, but the Almera has more pulling power thanks to its turbocharged three-cylinder. With both the City and Almera claiming average fuel consumptions of 25 km/l and 23.3 km/l, respectively, we're curious if we can replicate those figures.

Safety, above all else

When it comes to safety features, both the City and the Almera will not disappoint.

Both sedans are fitted with anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA), hill-start assist (HSA), and dual front airbags on all variants. The City also has Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), while the Almera comes with Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). On higher-grade variants, the City and Almera also benefit from a multi-view rear camera, along with curtain and side airbags for extra protection.

But what really sets the Almera apart from the City when it comes to safety is the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite of safety features. In the top-of-the-line N-Sport, the Almera gets a 360-degree around-view monitor (AVM) with moving object detection (MOD), forward collision warning (FCW), intelligent emergency braking (IEB), blind-spot warning (BSW), and rear-cross traffic alert (RCTA).

Thanks to the Nissan Intelligent Mobility advantage, the Almera can offer better peace of mind while on the road.

What's the price?

Like the Vios-Almera comparison, it looks like the Honda City and Nissan Almera are also evenly matched with one another. The City may be slightly larger in size but the Almera has a longer wheelbase. Both vehicles also come with plenty of standard amenities and safety features. Last but not least, the City has more horsepower, but the Almera has more torque thanks to forced induction.

But what about the price?

The City's price range starts at PHP 848,000 with the 1.5 S M/T and ends at PHP 1,058,000 with the 1.5 RS CVT. The Almera, meanwhile, starts at PHP 728,000 for the 1.0 EL Turbo M/T and goes all the way to PHP 1,098,000 for the 1.0 VL N-Sport CVT. The base model City may be more expensive, but the range-topping Almera is PHP 40,000 more than the 1.5 RS CVT of the City.

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All in all, Nissan has done their homework when it comes to packaging the 2022 Almera. Whether it has to face the Toyota Vios or the Honda City, Nissan's new B-segment sedan can certainly hold its own.

Between the Honda City and the Nissan Almera, which one would you pick? Share your comments.