Mitsubishi Lancer vs Nissan Almera comparison

The Russian car market has been the fastest growing in Europe for many years. And it must be admitted that while automotive fashions are as fickle as they are in apparel, popular preferences are changing slowly. If we talk about the Russian segment, then here sedans were and remain the type of cars that provide most of the sales. But within the group there are migrations, for example, from budget cars to golf class. Among the latter are the heroes of our today's comparative review.

Technical features of the models

Lancer is a legendary model. Surviving ten generations is not given to everyone, even if we consider that the life of one car generation rarely exceeds a decade. Alas, in 2017, the production of the model stopped, so for comparison, we chose a car that you are unlikely to be able to purchase without a run. Nevertheless, we tried to find options with similar motors and transmissions.

Exterior

The tenth generation Mitsubishi Lancer is considered a cute sedan, fit and slender. Despite its decent age, the model looks quite worthy, not inferior in attractiveness to the young growth.

The frontal part of the Lancer has a proprietary look known as the "Jet Fighter", and there is indeed a similarity to a fighter, albeit a distant one. In profile, the sedan looks less aggressive, and if desired, it can be given a sporty look by installing an optional spoiler and aerodynamic body kits.

Almera in terms of exterior is noticeably inferior to the opponent, despite its youth. They say that its appearance is very similar to Teana, and if the designers did it on purpose, the attempt to make it look like its older "brother" turned out to be of poor quality. Largely - because of the frankly budget elements of the body design, and even the chrome grille looks extremely inappropriate here, exacerbating the contrast.

This is exactly the case when it becomes clear that it is better to take a nice "old man" than a lurid contemporary.

Salon and trunk

Given that the Mitsubishi Lancer has been around since 2007, one would expect the model's interior to look dated. This is not so - the interior looks quite modern, although it does not have any memorable elements. The steering wheel, although multifunctional, has kept the number of keys to a minimum, as on many other Mitsubishi models. The dashboard, despite its age, is made in the spirit of the times, with two deep wells of scales and a color display located between them.

Nothing good can be said about plastic: it is hard and unpleasant to the touch. The leather interior is absent even in the top trim levels, the build quality is also not the most pleasant. Finally, 315 liters for luggage - frankly not enough for a golf class sedan.

Nissan Almera looks no better in terms of interior design - there are also no bright solutions here, everything looks extremely simple and even primitive. The quality of finishing materials is average. There seems to be enough free space, but the layout of the rear row of seats is not the best, and in the basic configuration, it will not work to increase the volume of the trunk - the backrest is deprived of the ability to fold.

Engines and transmissions

A dozen Mitsubishi Lancer, sold in domestic car dealerships, had two power units:

117-horsepower 1.6-liter engine, which was paired with a five-speed manual box or a four-band automatic;

140 hp 1.7-liter engine mated to the same manual or CVT.

In the ninth generation Lancer, other engines were available: a 109-horsepower one and a half-liter (which with an automatic transmission was frankly weak), a 150-horsepower two-liter and 241-horsepower turbocharged version of the same volume.

Almera will not be able to choose an engine: the sedan is equipped with an uncontested 102-horsepower 1.6-liter engine, which is assisted in the work by a five-speed manual transmission or a four-band classic automatic transmission.

As you can see, the leader is obvious in the power bloc. Moreover, even if we compare the Lancer 9 or the Almera Classic, the advantage here is on the side of the much older sedan.

Dynamics, fuel consumption

The 1.6-liter Mitsubishi engine allows the manual transmission to accelerate to one hundred km / h in 10.8 seconds. With an automatic transmission, this figure is much more modest - 14.1 seconds. Accordingly, the maximum possible speed varies - 180 and 190 km / h, respectively, and the average fuel consumption is 6.1-7.1 liters per 100 km.

The 1.8-liter engine takes exactly 10 seconds to accelerate to 100 km / h, and the speed ceiling is 202 km / h with a combined consumption of 7.5 liters. This is the data for the manual transmission, and with the variator they are as follows: 11.4 / 191 / 7.8.

If we compare these indicators with the acceleration characteristics and economy of the Almera engine, then the choice will not be in favor of the latter: in the version with manual transmission, the car overcomes the "sprint" in 10.9 seconds with a "maximum" speed of 185 km / h and a combined consumption of 7.2 liters. Option with automatic transmission - 12.7 / 175 / 8.5.

Controllability and security

The steering wheel of the Nissan Almera is obedient, its reaction to the driver's actions is timely and easy to read. The ground clearance for a foreign car is not bad, and even when the car is fully loaded, it drops to only 14.5 centimeters, which is enough to overcome 30-meter water obstacles. A trip on a dirt road to the country house is also possible, given the reliable protection of the engine and fuel lines.

As for the equipment with security systems, it is not so bad for a budget sedan - 2 PB, ABS / EBD, child seat mountings.

The Lancer has a suspension that is beyond praise: a reliable, energy-intensive suspension is ideal for Russian roads, while handling is also good, and a slight side roll is manifested only at high speeds.

The level of safety of the model is eloquently evidenced by the fact that according to the results of crash tests IIHS the sedan received the maximum rating of the Top Safety Pick for the protection of passengers.

So the comparison of the Nissan Almera Classic and the Mitsubishi Lancer 9/10 in terms of safety and handling demonstrates a small, but advantageous Lancer.

Service cost

For domestic motorists, the level of operating costs is one of the most important criteria. Let's compare the performance of the tested sedans (in rubles):

Options and prices

The 10th Lancer is available in four trim levels:

• initial modification of Inform includes 2 PB, ABS, power steering, full set of power windows, car radio;
• the Invite version is equipped with air conditioning, heated / electric outside mirrors, heated front seats;
• the Invite + equipment assumes the presence of foglights, alloy wheels and a leather steering wheel;
• top-end modification Intense is equipped with side PB, driver's knee cushion, spoiler and aerodynamic pads.

The Nissan Almera is also available in four trim levels:

• the basic Welcome costs from 688 thousand and is equipped with front power windows, an immobilizer, rear foglights - a rather meager set;
• the Comfort version costs from 715 thousand and includes heated front seats, central locking with remote control, heated / electrically operated exterior mirrors, air conditioning (30 thousand rubles more), front foglights;
• the Comfort Plus modification costing from 775 thousand rubles additionally includes an audio system and alloy 15-inch wheels;
• top-end Tekna equipment is equipped with a full package of power windows, a multimedia system with a five-inch display and four speakers.

What to choose: Mitsubishi Lancer or Nissan Almera

Many motorists believe that a new car is better than a used one anyway. In most cases, you cannot argue with this, but if we are talking about the Lancer, which disappeared from the show windows of car dealerships just two years ago, then the controversy of this thesis becomes obvious. In almost all important indicators, Almera loses, and in terms of equipment, the difference is simply huge. So it is quite possible to find a Lancer X with a minimum mileage, albeit more expensive, and the ninth generation can be purchased at a comparable cost and in excellent condition.