NO matter the industry, 2020 has been an extremely challenging year, with both carmakers and customers having to make concessions.
Perhaps it is for this reason that there has seen a robust B-segment, at least on the local front, as carmakers fitted their below-RM100,000 models with premium features, supported by the government's sales tax exemption.
On that note, it would be a shame if only one was mentioned for an accolade. Thus, Cars, Bikes & Trucks has decided to select five of the year's best B-segment models that we believe deserve your attention.
BEST SEDAN: 2020 NISSAN ALMERA TURBO
This one surprised us for how much we actually enjoyed driving it. Kudos to Nissan for truly turning the Almera around and making it the most exciting B-segment sedan for this year.
As many would have noted, the Almera always had a conservative design ever since its debut - boring if we were being blunt. Even the Nismo package and Black series did little to change that.
Nissan was wise to ditch them all together for the revamp and start anew.
For starters, the certified energy-efficient vehicle (EEV) is 70mm longer, 45mm wider and 40mm lower compared to the first-generation Almera (even the wheelbase had been lengthened by 20mm).
This, without even sacrificing the interior space that Almera was primarily known for and combining that with a 482-litre trunk space and foldable 60:40 split back seats, was a feat that ensured no one would miss out on what made the Almera appealing.
Following that was its new signature V-motion front grille and boomerang-shaped LED headlamps that flowed across the front end to a low profile floating roof and the signature rear LED tail-lamps.
The Almera Turbo looked so sporty and contemporary that many who laid eyes on it didn't even think it was a Nissan car, no offence intended.
Inside was a new "Gliding Wing" instrument panel surrounded by touches of chrome, piano black and carbon-fibre pattern textures.
It was paired with a sporty flat bottom steering wheel, soft padded double stitching leather wrap dashboard, eight-inch advance touchscreen display audio and full colour seven-inch semi digital meter.
In all, it felt classy.
Most appealing of all was its all-new 1.0 litre turbo engine paired with next-generation XTRONIC CVT with D-Step Logic System and Sport mode. This gave it a maximum power output of 100PS and high torque of 152Nm (flat torque curve) at a low 2,400rpm to 4,000rpm, with fuel efficiency of 18.4km per litre.
The engine came with "mirror bore coating" technology adapted from the popular Nissan GT-R, which helped to reduce friction between the piston ring and inner cylinder that had often contributed to increased durability, reduced wear and tear, and heat management.
As such, driving the Almera Turbo was fluid and full of kick. The 1.0L Turbo engine truly delivered and dispelled assumptions that it might be underpowered. It was a total rush and the new design truly exuded the brand's ambition.
The biggest "issue" that we found was how complete the car felt, so much so that we assumed (complete with expectation) it was a C-segment car instead.
The car is available in three variants, with a price tag of RM79,906 for the standard 1.0 VL variant, RM85,715 for the VLP and RM91,310 for the VLT.
Its safety features include Nissan Intelligent Mobility and Nissan Safety Shield 360 advanced safety technologies.
Six exterior colours were available, with the new Radiant Red, Monarch Orange and Dark Metal Grey joining the standard Brilliant White, Diamond Black and Tungsten Silver.
BEST HATCHBACK: 2020-2021 TOYOTA YARIS
There was no real competition for those looking for a sporty hatchback within the segment as the Yaris continued to dominate the category with its latest facelift.
The eye-catching complete knocked-down model had consistently been deemed the No. 1 non-national hatchback since its introduction in April last year, and had only gotten edgier and safer since.
The restyling included a re-profiled aggressive front, taking design cues from the new Corolla and Camry - with a new front bumper design fitted with a front aerokit, triple bezel fully LED headlights, repositioned daytime running lights on new front side intakes, and newly-designed triple bezel headlights equipped with follow-me-home function.
It was also equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which included a pre-collision system in the form of an integrated camera and radar system, a lane departure alert and a 3D 360-degree panoramic view monitor.
The Yaris has a dual VVT-i 2NR-FE 1.5 litre engine (107PS/140Nm) alongside an automatic CVT with a seven-speed Shiftmatic mode.
The three variants of 1.5J, 1.5E and 1.5G are priced at RM70,940, RM80,380, and RM84,808, respectively.
A new Platinum White Pearl joins the existing Red Mica Metallic and Silver Metallic colour options.
BEST SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE: PROTON X50
If we had to give the award to only one B-segment vehicle, then Proton's X50 would be our top pick.
Following in the footsteps of its larger sibling the X70, the X50 offered so much for its price that it could not be ignored.
So popular was the X50 that it had received 20,000 bookings even prior to the price announcement at the end of October, with 1,756 units reportedly already sold at present.
Largely similar to the Geely Binyue or Coolray, the locally-assembled front-wheel drive X50 had more than 400 unique components and localisation to give the sport utility vehicle its own personality.
Unfortunately, the 1.5TGDi Flagship was priced at RM103,300, which was above our RM100,000 limit. However, the remaining variants remained a force to be reckoned with, boasting a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged with multi-point fuel injection (1.5T PFI) paired to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission.
This provided an output of 150PS (or 147hp) at 5,500rpm and 226Nm.
All variants came in three drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sport.
The 1.5T Standard variant was priced at RM79,200, followed by the 1.5T Executive (RM84,800) and the 1.5T Premium (RM93,200).
BEST SAFETY FEATURE: 2020 HONDA CITY / HONDA LANEWATCH
It is impossible for this popular non-local B-segment sedan to miss out on the list, especially when it comes with an exclusive safety feature not found on other B-segment cars.
The Honda LaneWatch, a camera-based advanced safety technology that helps monitor blind spots within the infotainment system, is a little special in that it is an inherited premium safety feature that is also extremely interactive.
And is that it? A side mirror camera that assists in cutting into the left lane gets lauded as a top safety feature? Yes, it does.
Making a cut into the left lane never felt so convenient and part of me wished every other car had some feature of the sort. More importantly, it encourages more drivers to use the often forsaken indicator.
Though the new City comes in four variants, only the V and RS e:HEV have the LaneWatch feature. And of the two, the RS e:HEV remains without an official price, perhaps until next month.
The S, E and V models are priced at RM74,191, RM81,664 and RM86,561, respectively, and come with a 1.5 DOHC i-VTEC engine with continuous variable transmission (CVT) powertrain is able to produce up to 121PS with a maximum torque of 145Nm.
However, it's hard to say if the RS e:HEV will fall into the below-RM100,000 category. If we are to assume it'll be priced in the RM90,000 range, then its safety features (and driving performance as a whole) expands impressively as it's the only one that comes with the Honda SENSING system.
It is also the only one with the 1.5L i-MMD (intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) engine with electric-CVT (e-CVT) powertrain that's able to deliver 108PS and a high torque of 253Nm.
It has an intelligent power unit system to regulate between the three driving modes of EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive.
All variants come with an eight-inch display audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity.
Reverse sensors with multi-angle reverse camera and remote engine start are offered in the E, V and RS e:HEV variants.
BEST PICKUP: MAXUS T60
Once upon a time, pickups didn't always break into the RM100,000 price range and saw a rather high demand.
Admittedly, Weststar Group's full-spec 4x4 pickup truck cuts it close at its RM99,888 (without insurance and with sales tax exemption) price tag.
Still, at present, the Turin, Italy-designed single variant Maxus T60 is priced a whole RM20,000 cheaper than its closest competitor.
Powered by 2.8-litre DOHC VGT turbodiesel engine that pushes out 150hp and 360Nm of torque, the Euro4 mill is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and channels power through a BrogWarner electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system that is capable of switching between 2H, 4H and 4L without stopping.
It has a cargo payload of 815kg and towing capacity of up to 3,000kg. It has up to 21 storage areas and is the only pickup at present with forward and rearward folding rear seats.
The Maxus T60 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to features including anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, traction control, brake assist, roll movement intervention and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Hill-start assist control and hill descent control are also fitted as standard.
On the exterior, it is fitted with automatic headlights that come with LED daytime-running lights as well as auto levelling and steering-oriented cornering functions.
Inside, it gets a multifunction steering wheel, powered front seats, green glass insulation that provides protection from ultraviolet radiation, and an integrated 10-inch HD infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
It comes in six exterior colours, namely Obsidian Black, Agate Red, Lava Grey, Blanc White, Aurora Silver and Ocean Blue.
Weststar Group is currently offering the Maxus T60 with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels shod in Continental 255/55 rubbers.