The Almera is a dreadful car. Had one for a couple of weeks on loan from my bro-in-law. Apparently a 1.6 petrol but dull as ditchwater to drive. Unresponsive, slow-off-the-mark, overly light, cheap plastics abounded, rubbery steering and gear change, rolled all over the place and felt like it was built from recycled coke cans. Couldn't wait to get my Golf back at the time ('bit over 2 years ago) and, from I read in the motoring press, the Focus is easily a match for the Golf. Hence no contest at all between the Almera and the Focus IMHO.