Automotive

NissanConnect makes walk around checks easier

Reduce your checklist before setting off on a journey

Published

February 22, 2024

MJ Jucutan

When I was in driving school, my instructor kept pressing on the fact that we need to do a walk-around check before we set off on a journey. Be it a short ride to the mall, a quick drive to a cafe, or running errands in the city.

This isn’t something I witnessed growing up. Wheel-owners in my life mostly hop in the car and proceed to drive, regardless of the state of the vehicle.

It’s probably why a lot of their cars break down on them when they need them the most.

When the time came for me to sit behind the wheels, I kept reminding myself to inspect the car before going out. Frankly, it was exhausting and time-consuming. But spending a few minutes to check your vehicle can prevent you hours of headache if you encounter something down the line.

Now, imagine being able to cut back the time spent on inspecting your car. That’s what the NissanConnect did for me, when I had the Nissan Almera VL Turbo CVT.

An app connected to a city car

For a week, I had the Nissan Almera acting as a daily driver for my city errands and for accompanying me on a weekend in Lipa, Batangas.

The city car aided in my pursuits of balancing my life as a creative director and as a media personnel for Spartan Race Philippines.

Inside, I had the realme C55 loaded with NissanConnect Services. It wasn’t the handset I prefer to connect with Android Auto and help in navigation. Instead, the phone was solely used for keeping the vehicle in check. Especially at times when I have to drive down South.

Why use it anyway?

Nissan, just like most automotive brands nowadays, integrate technology into their vehicles. Through a mobile app, car owners can easily lock and unlock their doors. You can even start the engine before you hop on your seats!

Think about how many times you have to enter your car after being parked in open heat, only to complain about how hot it is inside?

Believe me, at least having the engine and the AC turned on for more than five minutes before you step in is a game changer. I know this too well since I’m fond of parking my vehicle in open areas.

At a glance, I was able to check my vehicle’s status through NissanConnect Services. I was able to see the estimated range that the Nissan Almera can go, based on its current fuel capacity.

There are also features that you can check such as Vehicle Health, Monitoring, Driving History, Notifications, and more.

Check before you go

The habit of doing walk around checks should be practiced more. It’s more important when you have a long trip out of town, and you just can’t afford to have any mishaps down the road.

Time is precious, especially on a weekend meant to be spent with people close to your heart.

Taking a peek at the Vehicle Health, I can check the Tire Pressure, Brake, Anti-Lock Braking System, Airbag, Engine MIL, and more. If there are issues, it’ll be easy to spot them without checking all of it.

This reduced my walk around check since I just needed to use the smartphone to see if my vehicle’s fit to drive.

After checking the lights, oil, water, gas, and engine, and of course, myself, I hop in and connect my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for Android Auto or my iPhone 13 for Apple CarPlay.

Before I drive, I make sure my Spotify’s connected along with Google Maps so I can drive at ease.

Stay within the limit

Safety and security are one of the key features of NissanConnect Services. Through the app, you can monitor your vehicle by setting up a curfew.

This ensures no one uses your vehicle past its curfew, and you’ll be alerted if someone does. That feature works best when you allow someone else to use your car, or if it’s a family vehicle.

You can also set limits on an area, barring certain neighborhoods you deem so. But what I love the most is setting a speed limit to ensure I don’t go beyond, especially on the freeway.

You might think, there’s cruise control anyway? Why bother with it?

As a control freak, I don’t like using cruise control as it absolves me from maintaining proper distance by relying on technology. Being alert helps me keep awake especially on a long drive.

Whenever I go out of my speed limit, the realme C55 receives alerts that I went beyond what I set. This is also important if someone drives your vehicle and you’re in your passenger princess era.

Plenty of times, my passengers didn’t feel we were speeding at 100 km/h, seeing how smooth the drive was. Checking the app would let you know if your driver is moving past the limit.

Sometimes, it helps to remind them to slow down especially when you’re not in a hurry to go to your destination.

Know your history

I’m not quite sure who else does this, but I typically check where I’ve been in the past month or so. Google Maps has been helpful in providing me the locations of places I’ve been to, which helps me track the distances I travelled.

Through NissanConnect, I was able to check the vehicle’s driving history. Having been lent by Nissan Philippines, I was able to preview how many trips the Nissan Almera have been into. I was also able to check the distance it clocked, and the time spent driving.

For a weekend, I contributed around 300km or so, going back and forth between Pasay City, Imus City, Calamba City, and Lipa City — across four provinces!

A handy tool

For most wheel-owners, having a mobile app connected to your vehicle might seem a daunting task. When you’ve been accustomed to your ways, it’s challenging to learn a few things here and there, especially when technology isn’t your strong suit.

But for tech-savvy babies like yours truly? Having the NissanConnect is such a handy tool.

It makes walk around checks easier and less daunting. One glance through the app, and you can see if you’re fit to drive. And if you are, you can get ready to put some music before you drive to your next destination.

Automotive

Psst! You can test drive BYD and DENZA EVs for free this week, but not for long

Four days of EV displays, test drives, and a first look at the DENZA Z9 GT.

Published

October 8, 2026

GadgetMatch

BYD Cars Philippines and DENZA Philippines are opening Super Experience Week to the public starting October 8, 2026.

The event runs until October 11 and gives visitors a hands-on look at the brands’ latest EVs and plug-in hybrids, along with test drives and a few previews. Admission is free.

BYD brings its plug-in hybrids and safety program

BYD’s showcase at the BGC Amphitheater will feature the Sealion 6 DM-i and the Tang DM-i. The brand’s full lineup will be on display at the BGC Garden, where visitors can also take the cars out for test drives.

BYD is also running its “Drive Electric, EV Safety Program” at the event. It’s aimed at helping new and prospective owners learn more about EV use as the community in the Philippines continues to grow. BYD says visitors can also get exclusive offers on all of its models, but only during Super Experience Week.

DENZA shows its premium lineup and a first look at the Z9 GT

DENZA is the centerpiece of the event. The brand is displaying its D9, B5, and B8, positioned as premium smart mobility with an emphasis on design, in-car tech, electrified performance, and comfort.

The main draw is an exclusive preview of the DENZA Z9 GT. The Philippine launch is targeted for the first quarter of 2027, and reservations are already open for customers who want to register their interest before it arrives.

The weekend moves to 5th Avenue

On October 10 and 11, the event expands to 5th Avenue, which will host a dedicated performance and advanced mobility showcase. A special exhibition will feature YANGWANG models, BYD’s ultra-luxury new energy vehicles.

The DENZA B5, DENZA B8, and BYD Shark 6 DMO will also be on show in a street exhibition throughout the weekend.

Test drives across both the BYD and DENZA lineups will be available for the duration of the event, so visitors can check out the tech, performance, and comfort of each model firsthand.

Automotive

Electric luxury reimagined: XPENG launches next-gen EV lineup

XPENG’s PH lineup spans the X9 MPV and the L03, with prices starting at PhP 1,548,000

Published

September 28, 2026

MJ Jucutan

XPENG has officially entered the Philippine EV market. Over 3,000 guests attended the brand’s grand local debut. During the launch event, the automaker introduced a six-variant lineup.

The lineup features the flagship X9 MPV and the sleek L03 SUV Coupé. Prices start at an accessible PhP 1,548,000.

Brand ambassador Anne Curtis joined the celebration on stage, while XPENG showcased its X2 Flying Car and IRON Humanoid Robot. These futuristic displays highlighted the company’s “Physical AI” vision.

XPENG X9: First-class travel for seven

The XPENG X9 serves as the brand’s flagship seven-seater MPV.

It turns luxury mobility into a private lounge experience. Buyers can choose between two Long Range variants. The base X9 Long Range costs PhP 3,858,000. It features zero-gravity second-row seats with a central aisle. This layout ensures quick access to the third row. The Premium Seat Package costs PhP 4,058,000.

It upgrades the middle row to individual captain’s chairs. These chairs feature four-way powered headrests and 16-point massage.

Both variants share identical mechanical hardware. A front-wheel-drive motor produces 235 kW and 450 Nm of torque. A massive 110 kWh battery provides up to 615 km of range.

A compatible DC fast charger boosts power from 10 to 80 percent in 12 minutes. Active rear-wheel steering delivers a tight 5.4-meter turning radius. Dual-chamber air suspension ensures maximum ride comfort.

A powered third row folds completely flat beneath the floor. Color options include Midnight Black, Arctic White, Matte Gray, and Silver Frost. Inside, buyers can select Meteorite Black or Coffee.

XPENG L03: Sleek versatility meets electric freedom

The L03 SUV Coupé blends striking aesthetics with daily utility. XPENG offers four distinct variants. Three models use pure battery-electric powertrains. One model features a range-extended electric setup (REEV).

The L03 EV Standard Range costs PhP 1,548,000. Its 58.3 kWh battery delivers up to 445 km of range. The L03 EV Long Range costs PhP 1,698,000 and offers up to 520 km.

The top-tier Long Range Ultra costs PhP 2,058,000 with 480 km of range. This Ultra trim adds front-seat massage, upgraded audio, and intelligent driving tech.

The L03 REEV costs PhP 1,598,000. It uses an onboard gas engine as an electric generator. Its 37.2 kWh battery delivers 215 km of pure electric driving. Total WLTP combined range reaches up to 1,017 km.

All L03 models feature rear-wheel drive. Fast charging takes roughly 20 minutes to reach 80 percent. Every model includes a 15.6-inch touchscreen and 539 liters of cargo space.

Available colors include Arctic White, Midnight Black, Rock Gray, Silver Frost, and Phantom Purple.

Ownership packages, reservation details

XPENG pairs each model with generous ownership perks. X9 buyers receive five years of free preventive maintenance. The package includes five years of roadside assistance.

XPENG adds a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. An eight-year warranty covers the battery and motor. X9 buyers also receive a complimentary 7kW wall charger.

L03 buyers receive two years of free preventive maintenance. The L03 includes identical roadside, bumper-to-bumper, and battery warranties. L03 EV buyers get a 7kW wall charger. The REEV variant comes with a 3.5 kW portable charger.

Reservations cost PhP 25,000 for the X9 and PhP 10,000 for the L03. Buyers can reserve through @xpengphilippines on social media.

XPENG showrooms in Greenhills, Makati, North EDSA, and Cebu are accepting reservations now. Local customer deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter.

Automotive

BYD says that way better EV batteries are coming next year

Solid-state batteries will debut with higher-end models in 2027.

Published

September 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

With gas prices reaching the edges of believability, electric and hybrid vehicles are turning into worthy upgrades. That said, the more casual consumer still has a lot of questions about going electric, primarily about the durability of the battery and range anxiety. Well, a major battery technology upgrade is coming in the next few years, and BYD has just committed to it for next year.

Via the Spanish outlet Carwow, BYD EVP Stella Li confirmed that the company will launch its first vehicle with a solid-state battery in 2027. Now, if you’re a regular consumer, a solid-state battery probably doesn’t make much sense to you. But here’s the basics: it’s smaller, safer, and can last longer on a single charge.

If you’re fine with technical explanations, a solid-state battery uses more solid components, as opposed to the liquid solution used by the current standard of lithium-ion batteries. Because it’s more solid, it has better energy density. Higher energy density means a smaller size is needed to achieve the same battery capacity as modern batteries. In turn, this means that a vehicle can pack more batteries inside, allowing for better capacity. Oh, and let’s not forget that these batteries are generally safer and less prone to incidents.

In the same interview, BYD says that the first model will arrive next year. Unfortunately, because of the battery’s cost to produce, the component will likely debut with the company’s higher-end models. Still, it’s an exciting sight to behold. The electric and hybrid market is already quite the temptation for users, so an even better battery will further push the segment to better heights.