Proton S70 vs Nissan Almera: The turbo battle – who wins the RM80k bracket?

Both cars wear the turbocharged badge with price tags lingering around the RM80,000 mark, but pop the bonnet and you will quickly realise they are competing in entirely different leagues.

The Proton S70 Executive is priced at RM68,800 post-rebate, whereas the Nissan Almera 1.0 Turbo VL retails at RM83,888—a difference of RM15,088.

The S70's 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo puts out 181 PS and 290 Nm, while the Almera's 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo produces just 99 hp and 152 Nm. For RM15,000 less, the S70 gives you nearly double the torque.

However, the Almera holds an ace up its sleeve that the S70 simply cannot match: a total 5-year maintenance bill of around RM1,766.72—an absurdly low figure across the entire Malaysian sedan market.

This comparison is not merely about who packs more horsepower, but how many kilometres you clock annually, and whether you are willing to fork out an extra RM15,000 for that quintessential "Japanese peace of mind".

Specification Comparison

Proton S70 Executive includes a RM5,000 rebate, applicable to the first 2,000 registrations before 31 March 2026.

S70 maintenance cost is based on official Proton ProCare 5-year/100,000 km scheduled servicing for turbo variants. Almera maintenance cost is based on Nissan’s official 7,000 km/6-month service intervals, totalling approximately RM1,766.72 over 5 years/70,000 km; actual figures may vary depending on mileage and regional labour rates.

Performance

Under the skin, the S70 Executive runs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-GT turbo engine churning out 181 PS and 290 Nm via a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT), completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.

This engine replaces the older 3-cylinder MPI unit, effectively consigning its 150 PS and 226 Nm figures to the history books.

By contrast, the Almera’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo pushes 99 hp and 152 Nm through an Xtronic CVT, taking 10.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h. 290 Nm versus 152 Nm, and 7.5 seconds versus 10.4 seconds—this is not merely a difference in driving dynamics, but a generational gap in mechanical capability.

The S70’s peak 290 Nm comes in early from 2,000 rpm, meaning you do not need to pre-plan overtakes on the PLUS highway, while town driving feels effortless with eager throttle response.

The 7-speed wet DCT shifts decisively quicker than any CVT, delivering an engaging drive rarely seen at this price bracket.

Meanwhile, the Almera delivers its 152 Nm from 2,400 rpm, maintaining torque right up to 4,000 rpm. The CVT’s refined, step-less power delivery shines in stop-and-go city traffic, avoiding the low-speed hesitation typical of DCTs.

Its 99 hp is more than enough for daily urban commuting, though you will need to exercise a touch more patience when tackling highway inclines or carrying a full cabin.

To sum it up, outright performance is the S70’s primary trump card, whereas for the Almera, it is simply an afterthought.

Running Costs

Here lies the Almera’s absolute trump card. Based on official servicing schedules, the Almera will set you back roughly RM1,766.72 over five years, based on a 7,000 km or 6-month interval. The S70 turbo costs RM4,525.92 over five years—nearly 2.5 times higher.

On the fuel efficiency front, the Almera claims an official 5.4 L/100 km, edged slightly ahead of the S70’s 5.7 L/100 km. While on paper the gap appears minimal, the Almera’s modest 1.0-litre displacement is visibly gentler on fuel during low-speed urban crawls.

For motorists clocking over 20,000 km a year, the combined savings in fuel and routine maintenance add up to a substantial amount over five years.

On the warranty side, the S70 is backed by a 5-year unlimited mileage package along with six complimentary labour services via standard Proton ProCare.

The Almera matches this with a 5-year unlimited mileage factory warranty. While Nissan’s service centre network is not as ubiquitous as Proton’s nationwide footprint, major towns and urban centres are well covered.

Cabin and Boot Space

The S70 spans 4,602 mm in overall length against the Almera’s 4,495 mm—a 107 mm advantage. Yet, when comparing wheelbases, the S70 measures 2,627 mm versus the Almera’s 2,620 mm, separated by a mere 7 mm.

This highlights Nissan’s clever packaging, extracting generous cabin space from a noticeably shorter exterior footprint.

Boot space tells a similar tale: 500 litres in the S70 versus 482 litres in the Almera. An 18-litre difference is virtually negligible in day-to-day use. However, the true separator lies in vehicle width—the S70’s 1,809 mm dwarfs the Almera’s 1,740 mm by a significant 69 mm.

Seating three adults across the rear bench reveals this gap instantly, giving the S70 the shoulder room of a true C-segment family sedan.

The Almera's cabin remains surprisingly airy for a compact sedan, offering ample rear legroom for average-height passengers. But if you regularly ferry full loads or have taller family members, the S70's broader cabin offers clear practical benefits.

Equipment

The S70 Executive (RM68,800 post-rebate) comes with an 8-inch infotainment display, six airbags, rear air-con vents, an electronic parking brake (EPB), and remote engine start.

However, ADAS is omitted; you must step up to the Flagship variant (RM84,800 post-rebate) to gain the 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 360-degree camera, and full 13-feature active safety suite.

Note that the Executive's 8-inch screen does not support wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, relying strictly on wired connectivity.

Over at Nissan, the RM83,888 Almera VL offers basic motoring: a 1.0-litre turbo engine, CVT, fabric seats, manual climate control, a 4-speaker radio unit, no reverse camera, and merely two airbags.

Getting the 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, reverse camera, and side airbags requires jumping up to the VLP spec at RM89,888.

Both carmakers have taken vastly different approaches. Proton channeled its manufacturing budget into performance, physical footprint, and essential connectivity—delivering more car for less money.

Nissan, conversely, poured its resources into robust mechanical reliability and rock-bottom maintenance, keeping cabin equipment down to the bare essentials.

Which Should You Buy?

If you are budget-conscious, value strong straight-line punch, frequently travel with passengers, or demand a wider cabin and boot: the S70 Executive at RM68,800 stands uncontested as the quickest and most commodious package below RM70,000.

If advanced safety kit and modern screens are non-negotiable, the S70 Flagship at RM84,800 post-rebate costs only marginally more than the base Almera VL, yet outclasses it entirely in kit and cabin tech.

If you clock north of 20,000 km annually, prioritise long-term ownership costs above all else, and care little for spirited acceleration: the Almera VL at RM83,888 still holds valid appeal. Despite costing RM15,000 more up front, the RM2,759 saved on scheduled servicing over five years, coupled with superior urban fuel economy, will claw back a fair chunk of that initial premium.

Nissan’s time-tested reputation for bulletproof reliability also delivers an intangible peace of mind for buyers looking to keep their ride well past the 5-year mark.