Nissan Almera 2016: full analysis of the model - is it worth buying today?

Nissan Almera 2016 is one of the most popular budget sedans on the Russian market. This model, built on a platform Renault-Nissan B0, became a logical continuation of the line after the 2015 restyling. The car was positioned as an affordable and economical option for urban use, but at the same time offered a good level of comfort and modern technologies at that time.

In 2016 Almera was offered with two gasoline engines - naturally aspirated 1.6 l (102 hp) and more powerful 1.5 l (110 hp) with the system DIG-S (direct injection). Transmissions included a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. Despite its modest dynamic performance, the car was valued for its reliability, ease of maintenance and low cost of ownership.

Today, 8 years after graduation, Almera 2016 remains in demand on the secondary market. But is it worth buying in 2026? In this review we'll look at all key aspects: from technical characteristics to typical “illnesses”, compare with competitors and give recommendations on choosing a used copy.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Almera 2016

In 2016 Nissan Almera offered in three trim levels: Comfort, Elegance And Tekna. All versions were equipped with front-wheel drive and disc brakes on all wheels (ventilated front). The base model came with 14-inch wheels, while the top models came with 15-inch wheels.

Main technical parameters:

Parameter	1.6 l (102 hp)	1.5 l DIG-S (110 hp)
Engine type	Gasoline, naturally aspirated	Petrol, direct injection
Volume	1598 cm³	1498 cm³
Power	102 hp at 5750 rpm	110 hp at 5600 rpm
Torque	145 Nm at 3750 rpm	142 Nm at 4000 rpm
Fuel consumption (combined cycle)	6.2–6.5 l/100 km	5.5–5.8 l/100 km

Both engines were combined with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The latter was often criticized for its “thoughtfulness” and high fuel consumption (up to 8–9 l/100 km in the city). But The 1.5 DIG-S engine with manual transmission showed one of the lowest costs in the class - about 5.2 l/100 km on the highway.

Suspension Almera classic for a budget sedan: front - McPherson, behind - semi-independent beam. This ensured a soft ride on uneven surfaces, but at high speeds the car behaved predictably only on smooth asphalt. Clearance in 160 mm allowed me not to be afraid of curbs and light off-road conditions.

Pros and cons of Nissan Almera 2016

Like any car, Almera has its strengths and weaknesses. Let's look at them in detail, based on owner reviews and expert tests.

Advantages of the model

• 💰 Low cost of ownership: cheap maintenance, available spare parts, low fuel consumption (especially for the version with DIG-S).
• 🔧 Simple design: Most repairs can be done yourself or at any service center.
• 🛡️ Reliable engines: both motors run smoothly when properly maintained 300,000+ km without capital.
• 🚗 Spacious salon: for class B+ the car offers good legroom and trunk space 490 l.
• 💺 Comfortable seats: Even in the basic configuration, the seats have good lateral support.

Disadvantages of the model

• 🐢 Weak dynamics: acceleration to 100 km/h takes 11–13 seconds depending on the box.
• 🎛️ Outdated automatic transmission: The 4-speed automatic is slow when overtaking and increases fuel consumption.
• 🔊 Noisy cabin: at speeds above 90 km/h You can hear the noise of wind and tires.
• 🛣️ Soft suspension: on uneven surfaces the car “falls through” and rolls are observed when turning.
• 🔋 Weak battery: the standard battery often discharges in frosts below -20°C.

⚠️ Attention: Owners Almera with a machine gun they often complain about jerks when changing gears after 100,000 km. This may be due to wear on the torque converter or solenoids. The solution is to change the automatic transmission oil every 60,000 km (and not according to the regulations in 90,000 km).

Typical problems and “diseases” of Nissan Almera 2016

Despite the overall reliability, Almera There are a number of common problems with the 2016 that you should be aware of before purchasing. Most of them are related to savings on materials and design features.

Engine and transmission

• 🔥 Problems with the cooling system: on motors 1.6 l after 150,000 km The pump or thermostat may be leaking. Symptoms - overheating, antifreeze leak.
• ⚙️ Clutch wear: on mechanics the disk and basket move on average 100,000–120,000 km. When driving aggressively, the resource is reduced to 80,000 km.
• 🛢️ Maslozhor on DIG-S: engine 1.5 l may begin to “eat” oil after 180,000 km (up to 1 l per 5,000 km). The solution is to replace the oil scraper rings.

Chassis

• 🔩 Knocks in the front suspension: Most often the stabilizer links or support bearings are to blame. Resource - 60,000–80,000 km.
• 🔧 Shock absorbers leaking: the rear pillars begin to “sweat” after 100,000 km, front - after 120,000 km.
• 🛞 Wear of silent blocks: rear levers fail especially quickly (resource - 80,000–100,000 km).

Electrics and interior

• 🔋 Problems with the generator: after 150,000 km The diode bridge or brushes may fail. Symptom - battery light is on.
• 🎧 Plastic creaks: Over time, the dashboard and door cards begin to creak. The solution is treatment with silicone grease.
• 🔑 Central locking faults: actuators in doors (especially rear ones) often fail.

Read more about problems with automatic transmission

On a 4-speed automatic (RE4F03B), after 150,000 km, the clutches of 2nd and 3rd gears often wear out, which leads to kicks when shifting. The torque converter lock-up solenoid may also fail, causing the car to “slip” during acceleration. A complete repair of an automatic transmission costs 80,000–120,000 rubles, so many owners prefer to sell the car at the first sign of a malfunction.

⚠️ Attention: If when starting the engine Almera with DIG-S audible metallic knock, this may be a sign of worn timing chain. On this motor the chain requires replacement every 180,000–200,000 km, but with aggressive driving the resource is reduced to 150,000 km.

Comparison with competitors: which is better?

In 2016, the main competitors Nissan Almera were Renault Logan, Kia Rio, Hyundai Solaris And Volkswagen Polo. Let's consider how the model from Nissan looks against their background.

Parameter	Nissan Almera	Kia Rio	Hyundai Solaris	Renault Logan
Price (2016, new)	from 599,000 ₽	from 629,000 ₽	from 619,000 ₽	from 499,000 ₽
Power (basic version)	102 hp	107 hp	107 hp	82 hp
Fuel consumption (combined)	6.2–6.5 l	5.9–6.2 l	6.0–6.3 l	6.5–6.8 l
Trunk volume	490 l	500 l	480 l	510 l
Reliability (expert assessment)	4.2/5	4.5/5	4.4/5	4.0/5

What to choose?

• 💰 Budget option: If you need the cheapest car in its class - Renault Logan. But his motor 1.6 l (82 hp) obviously weak.
• 🚀 Dynamics and comfort: Kia Rio And Hyundai Solaris They offer more modern engines and gearboxes, but are more expensive.
• 🔧 Easy to repair: Almera wins against Polo (the latter has more expensive parts and a more complex design).
• 🛡️ Reliability: According to statistics, Almera And Solaris are leaders in terms of engine life, and Rio - on the reliability of the boxes.

Prices on the secondary market in 2026

Cost Nissan Almera 2016 on the secondary market depends on mileage, configuration and condition. Below is the approximate price tag for Moscow and the regions (as of June 2026).

Equipment	Mileage, km	Price, ₽ (Moscow)	Price, ₽ (regions)
Comfort (manual transmission, 1.6 l)	80 000–120 000	650 000–750 000	550 000–650 000
Elegance (automatic transmission, 1.6 l)	60 000–100 000	750 000–850 000	650 000–750 000
Tekna (manual transmission, 1.5 DIG-S)	50 000–90 000	850 000–950 000	750 000–850 000
Tekna (automatic transmission, 1.5 DIG-S)	40 000–80 000	900 000–1 000 000	800 000–900 000

What to look for when purchasing:

• 📋 Mileage: The best option is cars with mileage up to 100,000 km. After 150,000 km the risk of problems with the suspension and gearbox increases.
• 🔧 Service: Check for receipts for oil changes, belts and consumables. If the car was driven on mineral water, there is a high risk of engine wear.
• 🚗 Body condition: Almera Doesn't rust quickly, but check the sills, arches and underbody for chips and corrosion.
• 🔋 Electrics: Make sure all sensors, heated seats (if equipped) and multimedia are working.

Owner reviews: real operating experience

To form an objective opinion about Nissan Almera 2016, we analyzed reviews from owners on the forums (Drive2, Drom.ru) and on social networks. Here are the points that are most often mentioned:

Positive Feedback

• 💵 «Cheap to maintain. Over 3 years and 60,000 km, I spent only 40,000 ₽ on maintenance (oil, filters, pads).” — Alexey, Moscow
• ⛽ «Fuel consumption is good. On the highway I get 5.3 l/100 km (1.5 DIG-S + manual transmission).” — Igor, Ekaterinburg
• 👨‍👩‍👧 «Spacious salon. We are traveling as a family with a child - there is enough space for everyone, the trunk can accommodate a stroller and suitcases.” — Olga, St. Petersburg
• 🔧 «Easy to repair. I changed the clutch and struts myself - everything is simple, spare parts are cheap.” — Dmitry, Novosibirsk

Negative reviews

• 🐢 «The machine kills all the dynamics. It’s scary to overtake - the car thinks for 2-3 seconds before switching.” — Sergey, Kazan
• 🔊 «Shumka is terrible. At a speed of 110 km/h, the cabin is like being in a Boeing.” — Anton, Krasnodar
• 🛠️ «The suspension is soft, but breaks quickly. Over the course of 80,000 km, I changed the struts, supports and silent blocks.” — Maxim, Omsk
• 🔋 «The battery runs out in winter. At -25°C the car will not start if the battery is not warmed up.” — Elena, Khabarovsk

Recommendations for operation and tuning

To Nissan Almera 2016 served for a long time and did not cause problems, follow these tips:

Service

• 🛢️ Engine oil: Change every 10,000 km (even if the manufacturer specifies 15,000 km). For 1.6 l fits 5W-30, for DIG-S — 5W-40 (For example, Mobil 1 ESP).
• ⚙️ Gear oil: In manual transmission - every 90,000 km, in automatic transmission - 60,000 km. For the machine, use Nissan Matic S.
• 🔥 Spark plugs: On DIG-S original spark plugs (NGK IFR6T11) enough for 30,000 km, on 1.6 l - up to 60,000 km.
• 🔧 Brake system: The pads are enough for 40,000–50,000 km, disks - on 100,000 km.

Small tuning

If you want to improve Almera without major investments:

• 🎵 Noise insulation: Additional processing of doors and arches (StP or Bimast) will reduce noise by 20–30%.
• 🔦 Light: Replacing lamps with LED (For example, Philips X-tremeUltinon) will improve visibility at night.
• 🛞 Wheels: Installing discs R16 with rubber 205/55 will improve handling (but slightly increase consumption).
• 📱 Multimedia: Replacing the standard radio with Android Auto- head unit (for example, Pioneer SPH-DA130DAB).

⚠️ Attention: Do not install on Almera 1.6 l gas equipment without engine modifications. This engine is not designed to run on gas, and through 50,000 km There may be problems with the valves and piston.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Almera 2016

❓ Which engine is more reliable: 1.6 l or 1.5 DIG-S?

Both engines are considered reliable, but they have different features:

• 1.6 l (102 hp) - easier to repair, cheaper to maintain, but less economical.
• 1.5 DIG-S (110 hp) - more modern, consumes less fuel, but is more expensive to repair (due to the direct injection system).

Better for urban use 1.5 DIG-S, for long trips - 1.6 l (less likely to encounter fuel system problems).

❓ Is it worth taking Almera with an automatic?

4-speed automatic Almera — the weak point of the model. Its disadvantages:

• High fuel consumption (up to 9–10 l/100 km in the city).
• “Thoughtful” shifts, especially when overtaking.
• Risk of breakdowns after 150,000 km.

If you need an automatic, it's better to consider Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris with 6-speed automatic transmission.

❓ What oil to pour into the 1.5 DIG-S engine?

For motor 1.5 DIG-S oils with approval are suitable RN0700 or RN0710. Recommended brands:

• Nissan Strong Save X 5W-40 (original).
• Mobil 1 ESP 5W-40.
• Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-40.

Important: do not use oils with a viscosity of 5W-30 — they are not suitable for this engine!

❓ What is the real resource of Almera 2016 engines?

With proper maintenance:

• 1.6 l (102 hp) — 350,000–400,000 km before major repairs.
• 1.5 DIG-S (110 hp) — 300,000–350,000 km (subject to replacing the timing chain every 180,000 km).

The main conditions for longevity: regular oil changes, the use of high-quality fuel and the absence of overheating.

❓ Is it possible to install HBO on Almera 1.5 DIG-S?

Technically possible, but not recommended. Problems that may arise:

• Increased wear of valves and seats (due to the lack of lubrication provided by gasoline).
• Malfunctions of the direct injection system.
• Loss of warranty (if the car is still under warranty).

If you still decide, install 4th generation HBO with ignition correction and use Valovsky or Italian kits (for example, Lovato or BRC).