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Cars > Peek

In the US, Nissan updates the Versa sedan (which is also the Almera)

Refreshed subcompact receives several styling and feature upgrades

The US-market Almera just got prettier. PHOTO FROM NISSAN

Three years ago, we wrote about the all-new Nissan Versa, which is the Almera here. Fans drooled over how great-looking the then-new car was compared to the outgoing model. Well, in the United States, the Japanese carmaker has taken the wraps off the face-lifted model, and here is what has changed.

The exterior styling bits made the car look better. PHOTO FROM NISSAN

Outside, the updated sedan gets a modern yet sporty take on Nissan’s V-Motion grille. To accommodate that, the front bumper has been restyled consequently. While the car retains its overall side profile (depending on the variant), there are 16- or 17-inch alloys available. Finally, Nissan’s new logo will make its appearance on the refreshed car. The range-topping SR variant will have black-painted side mirrors.

Nothing much has changed, but that doesn’t mean the interior’s design isn’t good. PHOTO FROM NISSAN

Inside, there are no major changes in the car, other than the addition of a wireless charging pad. The interior still offers generous room for the passengers. Fit and finish are still good. And more features trickle down now on the lower S and SV grades. The SR gets the most bells and whistles, though.

The generous interior space and the great fit-and-finish are still here. PHOTO FROM NISSAN

The most important upgrade has to be in the safety department. Depending on the variant you are getting, there are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high beam assist. There are also optional extras like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

Will we see the updated car in our market soon? PHOTO FROM NISSAN

Powering the subcompact is a 1.6-liter, 122hp engine. Drivetrain options include a five-speed manual or Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. This allows the car to do 13km/L in the city and 17km/L on the highway. CVT models can do up to 14km/L.

The new car will debut at the 2022 Miami Auto Show, and will go on sale in the fourth quarter of the year. Will we see these changes on our Almera soon? We’ll all just have to wait and see.



Red Santiago

A jack of all trades, Red is passionate about cars, motorcycles and audio. He sometimes drives for a ride-hailing app company—just because he really loves driving.



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