Automotive

The Nissan Almera is giving ~slay~

Keep up with your chaotic life, but make it stylish and techie!

Published

February 28, 2024

MJ Jucutan

Sedans always have this charm of making you feel polished. I vividly remember pulling up in the driveway and gracefully exiting a car, glammed and dolled up for a gala. All eyes were fixated on me–I felt remarkable.

Driving the Nissan Almera VL Turbo CVT for a week, I felt the surge of confidence possessing my body once more. But of course, it’s not just looks that it can offer. Like yours truly, there’s more to the Nissan Almera than meets the eye.

Effortlessly elegant

The Nissan Almera is an instant head-turner. I know it does, as I remember driving it across a prestigious university outside of my home and all the students were astonished, gaping as they gaze at the passing vehicle before them.

I don’t blame them, though. When I first saw the Nissan Almera, I gasped as I marveled at its sleek likes and sporty stance. The new design is bold and striking, and somehow, it felt like a match made in heaven.

I’m particular about dressing up to feel good, and having a car that matches your vibe is kind of a gift you shouldn’t take for granted.

Its cutting-edge design complemented my sprezzatura style, which, if you don’t know about, is the art of dressing up like you didn’t care about looking good but everything is actually planned.

It’s giving effortlessly elegant, both for my style and the car’s design. The devil is surely in the details.

Keeping up with your boisterous life

Nowadays, no one lives a peaceful, routinely life, especially in the Metro. I, for one, is a multi-passionate creative balancing my work as a producer and life as a hybrid athlete.

I work out twice a day, and I still find time to wrap up my tasks, go on a date, and spend quality time with people who matter.

Some weekends, I’m on duty as a media personnel for Spartan Race Philippines. On top of everything, I still do side gigs as a graphic designer and a photographer, and I have a small business I take care of.

I’ve been a busy person with a hectic schedule, and in the pursuit of juggling my chaotic life, the Nissan Almera surely kept up.

Inside, the cabin is spacious enough to provide comfort both for the driver and passengers. Life as a multi-passionate entails having at least three bags and a bunch of paper bags inside your compartment.

On the front passenger seat is my Moshi Urbana Lite Slim Laptop Briefcase in Herringbone Gray, carrying all my work and life essentials.

I know it well that my life is exhausting. But a vehicle laded with premium materials with seats that are ergonomically designed, sometimes, you won’t feel the exhaustion until you stepped out of the car.

The only inconvenience I encounter was taking out my Starbucks coffee out of the cupholder in the center console since it gets in the way of the handbrake.

Assist your last three brain cells

Driving is a mental game. Your life depends on it, and living a multi-passionate life can be extremely tiresome for some people. I just happen to have the endurance for it — physically, mentally, and emotionally speaking.

I’m also highly caffeinated which means I can keep up with driving 80 kilometers, just to see the person I love.

But driving back and forth can put a fatigue on your mind and body. I felt this when I was on duty for a Spartan Race held in Areza, an estate in Lipa, Batangas.

On the way back to Manila, I put some trust on the Nissan Almera’s Intelligent Mobility. My confidante and other passengers were dead asleep, and I only have Taylor Swift accompanying me on a three-hour drive.

When we were driving on the freeway, I encountered an SUV that suddenly decelerates while every car is speeding up to a hundred. The Almera alerted me through its Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, prompting me to slow down through an audible alert and a visual alert on the 7-inch TFT meter.

I switched lanes and put some distance since I felt it was unsafe to follow the vehicle before me. Moments later, there were multiple car collisions that blocked the whole freeway.

I didn’t get to use the emergency brake, which kicks in to reduce your speed in case of possible collision. The earlier alerts helped me stay in my toes to prevent myself getting involved in accidents.

Times like these is when you appreciate the premium safety features that comes with your vehicle. You never know when you’re going to use it, so it’s better to have it than be sorry.

Stay connected, my babe

What I love the most about the Nissan Almera is how it integrated NissanConnect Services. As someone who’s always on his phone, the vehicle helped me stay connected and in control.

Through the app, I get to remotely start or stop the engine, lock and unlock the door, and a host of smart features that I never knew I needed.

There’s also an 8-inch Infotainment Display that seamlessly connects with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This helped in navigating the busy streets of Metro Manila that I’m unsure of, particularly outside Bay City which I don’t frequent unless needed.

It was also the reason I was able to keep up with driving. All I needed was to play my favorite songs from Cup of Joe and Taylor Swift, and I’m good to go.

Surely, convenience, safety, and entertainment are now in my fingertips. Suddenly, it makes me feel like I have control in every situation, and as a control freak, I like it. Especially if it meant I can have a stress-free driving experience.

Your getaway car, perhaps?

The Nissan Almera VL Turbo CVT has a powerful yet efficient engine that I fully experienced while driving on the freeway. On city drives, its fuel economy may help especially when you kept yourself tangled in traffic jams.

It’s engineered in a way that you will enjoy the road, both on the city and out of town. You can simply treat it as your getaway car. Frankly, it’s a daily driver that can keep up with you if you spontaneously decide to take a break from your chaotic life.

As for me, it helped me reclaim some sort of confidence, thanks to its regal and captivating design. And it’s simply not just physical — the Nissan Almera is certainly a companion for those living a life well-lived. Hectic or not, this subcompact sedan is here with you to charm and slay in life.

The Nissan Almera 1.0L VL CVT with NissanConnect Services retails for PhP 1,149,000. It comes in Moon Pearl Gray, Fiery Cayenne Red, Brilliant Silver, Pearl White, and Galaxy Black.

For more information on the New Nissan Almera with NissanConnect Services, customers can visit the official Nissan Philippines website or contact their nearest Nissan dealership. Book a test drive.

Automotive

VinFast VF MPV 7 positioned as practical choice for families

Strong performance, lower maintenance costs, comfortable driving experience

Published

May 7, 2026

Manila Connoisseur

VinFast is pushing its all-electric seven-seater SUV, the VF MPV 7, as family-centric choice for modern practicality.

The EV manufacturer has just launched the EV in the Philippines, one of its key markets, as it continues to push for more accessible electric mobility.

Locally, the VinFast VF MPV 7 is priced starting at PhP 1,239,000 (~ US$ 20,096) if you avail of the flexible battery subscription program.

Alternatively, customers can get it for PhP 1,518,000 (US$ 24,621.27) if they opt for the battery-included model.

The launch comes at the heels of VinFast being the top battery EV brand in the market as of early 2026. The Vietnam-based manufacturer also projects that EV penetration will double by the second quarter of the year.

Among the VF MPV 7’s features are:

19-inch alloy wheels
VinFast signature V-shaped LED daytime running lights
R-cut wrapped steering wheel
10.1-inch display
USB-A and USB-C ports
Automatic climate control
PM2.5 air filter
Rear air vents
Up to 1,240 liters cargo capacity
150 kW power, 280 Nm torque

Owners are promised up to 450 kilometers of range on a full charge. The VF MPV 7 has a 60.13kWh battery which can charge from 10% to 70% in just 30 minutes via 80kW fast charging.

VinFast is also throwing in either a 7-year/160,000-km or 10-year/200,000-km battery warranty for those who avail of the EV. Owners can also charge for free at V-Green stations nationwide through March 2029.

Automotive

The VinFast VF6 is perfect for urban travelers

It can handle a Caloocan-Laguna trip easily.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The photo above shows a VinFast VF6 in Mint Green. Today, if you hear about the VinFast brand, you might be more familiar with a different shade of green: the striking turquoise of Green GSM, a local electric taxi-hailing app that primarily uses vehicles from VinFast. But did you know that VinFast offers more than just taxi cars?

The VinFast VF6 is a midsize crossover electric SUV perfect for urban travelers. One look at the car is enough to tell you that it means business. The car’s front profile looks simple enough but still exudes that premium feeling. The rear is just as sharp as the front with strong horizontal lines that give that feeling of width on the road.

A short drive to Laguna

It’s not just pure looks, either. To test out the VF6, we took the crossover for a spin from VinFast Caloocan to Lakehall in Laguna. The 60km trip felt like a breeze with the 210hp electric engine. Add to that, the trip lasted from morning to late afternoon, giving the best of smooth highways and adverse traffic conditions.

The power felt just enough to soldier through the long drive, regardless of the condition. Handling was smooth. It has just enough give for maximum control when turning through tough Metro Manila traffic. But the acceleration unleashed the beast inside for those long and smooth straights.

Range anxiety is also a thing of the past. Despite being a long drive, the engine consumed only 15 percent of the battery each way. In total, the battery can supposedly last 480 kilometers on a full charge, and the results prove it.

Even if you get caught out with a low battery, the VinFast VF6 can juice up to 70 percent (from 10 percent) in only 25 minutes. With gas prices still wreaking havoc on every fuel powered car owner’s budgets, having a vehicle that can charge up at a cheaper price per kilowatt and at a quicker rate is an absolute must.

Driving in comfort

Inside, the VinFast VF6 offers a spacious cabin for driver and passenger alike. Both trips going to and from were luxurious.

First of all, the air-conditioning system hid an insane amount of power behind the car’s vents. Being under the sun, the car was naturally hot before use. However, after only being on for a few minutes, the air-conditioning cooled this inferno to much more comfortable levels. By the end, my companion and I were freezing.

Both the front and backseats had enough legroom to help drivers and passengers stretch out their legs. I didn’t feel the crippling claustrophobia of staying inside a car for hours.

The car also had a sizable 12.9-inch infotainment system angled towards the driver. Though the angle seemed too obtrusive if you’re a passenger princess, the system itself connected seamlessly to our phones for that entertainment so crucial to long drives.

Keeping safe in dangerous streets

Comfort should go hand in hand with safety. True enough, the VinFast VF6 comes with a vast suite of ADAS conveniences for safer trips. Of course, you’re getting the standard fixings present every car today, including airbags, but the beauty also lies in those tech-infused features.

First up: cruise control. Normally, I don’t use cruise control because I prefer having maximum control over a drive. However, the VF6’s system is easy to use even when on the go.

For lengthy highways drives, it also has lane departure warnings, which can jerk you back to the right lane if you drift too much onto the next lane. Forward collision warnings and automatic emergency braking keeps your car safe from accidentally rear-ending cars in front.

Finally, the VF6 can automatically detect if you’re too drowsy or tired to drive. The system detects both your behavior inside the cabin and how you drive. For example, if you’re starting to drive erratically, the car will sound an alarm to hopefully prod you for a driver change or a short nap. Thankfully, we didn’t need this feature during our trip, but it’s nice to have.

Price, availability

The VinFast VF6 does not cost too much. The Plus version, which comes with 150kW of max power, sells for only PhP 1,699,000. Meanwhile, a competitively priced Eco version, which has 130kW of max power, sells for PhP 1,499,00.

Both models will come in Jet Black, Infinity Blanc, and Crimson Red.

Automotive

DENZA expands the electrified market with the all-new B5 and B8

Redefining the SUV experience through refined comfort.

Published

April 28, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Following a successful preview at the Manila International Auto Show 2026, DENZA Philippines has officially launched the all-new DENZA B5 and B8.

These electrified SUVs represent a significant step in the brand’s expansion, offering modern drivers a blend of efficiency and real-world capability designed for the complexities of modern life.

DENZA B5

The DENZA B5 is a midsize plug-in hybrid that addresses the common anxieties of transitioning to electrified driving.

It utilizes DMO Super Hybrid technology, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a dual-motor system. This setup delivers 425 kW and 760 Nm of torque, providing plenty of power for both city streets and open highways.

Range is often a concern but the B5 offers a combined NEDC range of up to 975 kilometers. This capacity allows for a full week of commuting without the constant need to recharge or refuel.

Inside, the cabin serves as a sanctuary, featuring massage and ventilated seats. It also has a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera system that makes navigating tight spaces feel intuitive and safe.

DENZA B8

For those who require more presence and capability, the DENZA B8 arrives as a full-size SUV available in Dynamic and Premium variants.

It’s built for extended journeys, offering a combined NEDC range of up to 1,040 kilometers. This allows drivers to focus on the road ahead rather than the nearest charging station.

The standout feature of the B8 is the DiSus-P Intelligent Damping Suspension. This system continuously monitors the road and adjusts the stiffness of the ride in real time.

The technology works in the background to ensure the ride remains composed and stable.

Inside, the B8 leans into luxury with dual wireless chargers and a built-in refrigerator.

Confidence across any terrain

Both the B5 and B8 are engineered for real-world off-road capability.

They feature four-wheel drive and front and rear electronically controlled locking differentials. Specialized modes for mud, sand, rock, and water wading give drivers the confidence to handle unpredictable conditions.

The inclusion of “Leopard Turn” technology allows for sharper maneuvering in narrow trails or tight U-turns.

The experience is completed by the DENZA App. This tool allows owners to monitor fuel levels, charging status, and location from their smartphones, ensuring that the vehicle is always ready for the next adventure.