Nissan Almera 1.8 SVE

In a sector brimming with excellent cars, Nissan's pricing, not the Almera's abilities, will attract buyers into the showrooms.

Youv'e seen those adverts in which Hollywood beauties with an unfeasible number of birthdays behind them praise the virtues of the latest anti-ageing potions from behind a mask of meticulously applied screen make-up.

But can it work on a car? Nissan has slapped anti-wrinkle cream on the Almera in a bid to find out...

The face certainly seems fresher, thanks to new twin headlamps behind smoked lenses, different bumpers, a mesh radiator grille and a huge but pointless secondary grille beneath the front number plate. The Almera has had its rear remodelled, too, with similar light clusters to those of the latest Primera hatchback and a revised rear screen wiper. The overall effect makes the Nissan appear more youthful and interesting, but it's still no movie star.

Changes on the outside are complemented by modifications inside, with all except entry-level S models getting a new central console based on the Primera's innovative N-Form set-up. The controls are mounted vertically, unlike those of the car's bigger brother, and the system incorporates stereo, air-conditioning and information system switches. Once you have accustomed yourself with the multi-function buttons, it's straightforward to use.

Some plastics on our test car - a pre-production model - looked cheap and had a brittle, shiny finish. Those in the previous Almera were much softer, and Nissan promises this will be sorted before cars reach showrooms.

One area where the Almera scores highly is with its pricing, with the latest range slimmed from six to three trim levels. Entry-level S models are now £355 cheaper than the previous base cars, while buyers of the mid-range SE will save £600. The 1.8-litre SVE tested here costs £12,750 - that's £550 cheaper than the old SE+, which came with a similar level of equipment.

Filling a car with extras doesn't make it good to drive, though, and it's on the road where the Almera really needs to shine to succeed. The 115bhp 1.8-litre engine is marginally more powerful than that in the old model and manages a 0-60mph sprint time of 10.8 seconds - adequate for most, but less lively than the Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. The unit also sounds harsh at high revs, while noise intrusion at motorway speeds is notably louder than most of its rivals.

Otherwise, the Almera is pleasant enough to drive. The steering has a good feel and isn't over-assisted, while the handling is safe and predictable, although the ride gets fidgety on uneven surfaces.

So has a facelift injected new life into Nissan's Focus-rival? Not quite.

It has a fresher and tidier look, but behind the anti-ageing treatment is a car that is rapidly approaching its sell-by-date. It won't be long before the wrinkles start to show through again.