ONE OF the advantages of buying a well-established model is the extras manufacturers pack in to keep sales going.
A classic example is the long-serving Almera which underwent a revamp last year and which recently has had a new range-topper, the SXE, added by Nissan.
The SVE may have been knocked off the Almera pole position, but as compensation it gets a brand new toy as standard - full colour satellite navigation with a 7" screen, 3D Birdview display and 10 Euro nation coverage, all on one disc. Adding a mere £900 to the SVE prices, it joins an already-remarkable list of equipment.
Whichever SVE version you buy (there are eight of them) you get six airbags, electronic climate control, electric sunroof, parking sensors, all-round electric windows, electric body-colour door mirrors, radio/CD player, 16in alloys and wide tyres, front fog lamps, leather grips and trip computer.
There's more besides, and you can have this goodies-laden Almera for as little as £12,250 (for the 1.5 three-door).
Last year's refresher tried to address the Almera's good-but-boring public image, and steps included boosting the engines in the range.
And, indeed, the 1.8-litre unit in the test car proved one of its most endearing assets. It now offers 114bhp to go with 120lb ft of pulling power to give lively performance and ready acceleration even in fifth gear.
Certainly it was not fazed by some long climbs and recourse to the neat-action five-speed gearbox was more infrequent than most.
Economy, however, was moderate, pushing towards an average 40mpg when carefully driven with an eye on the instant computer display. Officially it's 37.7mpg and the 1.5 petrol and the 2.2 diesel will have more appeal to penny-watchers.
What revamps can't do much about is the Almera's underpinnings. When the car first appeared it was right up near the top of the handling class for small cars, but techniques have improved and we have become used to more settled rides than this. Even motorway surfaces can move you around.
Nissan has shown what it can do with the new Primera and, especially, the delightful Micra - the Almera needs to be next in line.
But the car corners comfortably enough and has an appealing nimbleness. The steering is a little on the airy side but the braking system (all-round discs, ABS with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution) is first class.
Noise muffling is good, most of it coming off the big tyres. Rev hard and the engine makes itself heard, but it's not an unplesant sound.
The restrictions of the platform mean cabin space is nothing special, but the back can cope with adults. Behind them, boot space is pretty good, being clean-lined and wide. Only the hatch shape spoils it.
The decor makeover has helped the car and internally the plastics and upholstery are pleasant. I'm not so sure about the dash shape, but the layout is sensible. Dials information is clearly presented and the central satnav/computer information screen is well-positioned.
By current standards the driving seat is quite low, even when set at the top of the height adjustment, but that does give more driver involvement than the perched variety. Steering column adjustment meant it was a comfortable position and visibility wasn't hindered.
The Almera may have slipped down the charts but you know with Nissan that reliability and engines are good, and, with all that equipment, there's no arguing with the value the SVE gives.
FAST FACTS
Nissan Almera 1.8 SVE 5-dr
Price: £13,650
Mechanical: 114bhp 1,769cc, 4 cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual transmission
Max speed: 115mph
0-62mph: 10.8 secs
Combined mpg: 37.7
Insurance group: 7
CO2 emissions: 187g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint