We say A workmanlike small family car, though it is cheap.Performance The Almera has a 97bhp 1.5-litre engine with plenty of low-down power through a 5-speed manual box, but it needs revving. There are other petrol engines but the 2.0 dci is the pick.Emissions 47mpg and 161g/km in the 2.2 dci are respectable for the sector.Driving The Almera provides a woolly drive through an imprecise manual box, dead steering and weak body roll.Feel Noisy engines, especially when revved plus the Lamera makes a rather noisy cruiser.Space The Nissan hatch offers reasonable passenger space but the boot is big with 355 litres.Equipment Aircon, CD player, remote locking and electric front windows are standard.Price The Amera offers generally good running costs and decent starting price. Used models should be quite the bargain.Quality Nissans are durable but the Almera was showing its age years ago.Safety Twin front bags are the only safety kit as standard on the Almera.Pros All-round reliability.Cons Not an engaging car in any sense.Alternatives Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra
