Sitting a mere 110 millimeters off the ground and having a twin turbo V6 engine mounted front midship, everyone thought I’ve lost my mind: was I was seriously going to daily drive a 2018 Nissan GT-R for a full week amidst the Christmas rush? Hell, yeah. And you know what? Aside from the fact that it garners attention anywhere it goes, this here is a very capable commuter car.
If you wished the Nissan Almera could have a sportier style, you’re in luck. The Almera is the third model to benefit from Nissan Philippines’s locally done “N” brand. After the Juke N-Sport and Navara N-Warrior, here comes the 2019 Nissan Almera N-Sport.
Nissan has found an innovative use of a 200-year old technology to reduce distracted driving caused by mobile phones. Introducing the Nissan Signal Shield concept.
For those planning a road trip this upcoming Lenten season and Labor Day, the first item on one's checklist should be to have their vehicle serviced to avoid any troubles on the road.
Nissan is expected to announce its “operational performance plan” by the end of the month, which will see them shift their strategic direction to markets which include the Philippines.
Forty-two test drives (not counting First Drives) and only five slots: welcome to CarGuide.PH’s annual Top 5 Picks of the Year. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, you can check out the past winners here (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), but for now, let’s head on over to the best of 2016. As always, there are no categories or sub-categories. For CarGuide.PH’s Top 5, everything, be it pickup trucks, SUVs, crossovers, sports cars, and what have you, are all lumped together.
In another reliability survey, the Hyundai Tucson and MINI Convertible are deemed the most dependable new cars in the UK with a perfect 100 percent score. They were the only two all-new models, joined by the 2014-2019 Kia Soul and 2017-2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Nissan has finally shown its B-segment SUV in full. The Magnite is designed specifically for the Indian market and slots below the Kicks and Juke in terms of size, going against the likes of the Ford EcoSport.
Universal Motors Corporation (UMC) is finally showing some new stuff at the 4th Philippine International Motor Show.
Headlining everything is the preview of the new Juke compact crossover. Although UMC has yet to decide whether or not the Juke will indeed be sold locally, UMC did release this statement:
"Rest assured that UMC will do its best to give the Philippine market the vehicles they want and aspire for."
So while things are sounding vague at the moment, the Juke is indeed at the Nissan UMC booth at PIMS. Aside from the Juke, UMC is also showcasing Navara pick-ups and Patrol Super Safaris decked in special wraps and large alloy wheels.
Targeting young and budget-friendly consumers looking for tires with safety and performance that last, Michelin Philippines unveiled the Energy XM2+, a tire made for small and mid-sized passenger cars.
Nissan Philippines has a rather thin SUV line-up. While it does have the Terra mid-sized SUV and the X-Trail, it doesn’t have anything smaller at the moment (the Juke has already been officially discontinued). And while rumors abound that the sub-compact Kicks is arriving locally, they could pretty much slot this in too: the 2022 Qashqai.
The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB just threw the rule book at the Transport Network Companies (Uber and Grab to you and me). In a recent press conference, the government agency responsible for land-based public conveyance is reminding both Uber and Grab that they have to phase out non-compliant TNVses in 90 days. With the Memorandum Circular published last December 2, 2017, that sets a March 2, 2018 deadline.
The “eyes” (and fingers) have it—BMW has easiest to use infotainment and climate control system, while MG has the worst. This is judged by UK-based What Car?.
As part of its ongoing PitStop promotion, Nissan customers can enjoy big cash discounts and free service packages when they buy a participating vehicle, from now up to September 30, 2019.
Update: Nissan has officially unveiled the 2021 X-Trail (aka Rogue). Details here. (6/15).
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Nissan’s still adamant to push through with several new production introductions this year, including the all-new X-Trail.
Hyundai has revealed its smallest crossover to date: the 2020 Venue. Designed for those seeking a seamless combination of style and versatility, it does so without breaking the bank because it’s now the most affordable SUV in the Korean carmaker’s lineup.
In a few more years, prepare to say goodbye to one automotive feature: mechanical handbrakes. Research by U.K.-based automotive shopping site CarGurus reports that more and more carmakers are ditching them in favor of electronic parking brakes or EPBs.
There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Hyundai’s new B-segment crossover, the Kona. After years of being left behind in a market now dominated by the likes of the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and even the Subaru XV, Hyundai is giving urbanites with a strong sense of individuality a new choice.
When SsangYong launched the Tivoli, the Korean carmaker boldly predicted that buyers will flock to their new crossover from the perennial segment favorite, the Ford EcoSport. A year on, this hasn’t gone to plan as the EcoSport continues to protect its turf while managing to increase its sales in the process. The question beckons: has SsangYong simply bitten more than it can chew? Will the Tivoli be relegated to being kicked to the curb in this sub-compact crossover turf war?
After a canceled launch at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, Toyota is now unveiling its all-new Yaris Cross—an urban-centric crossover tailor-made to suit the city, but with still enough credentials to call it a true SUV. Underpinned by Toyota’s new GA-B platform, the Yaris Cross features a “big small” design that also characterizes its sibling, the Yaris hatchback. Competing in the B-segment along with the Nissan Juke and the Ford Puma (no, not the Ford EcoSport), the Yaris Cross features the same wheelbase as the all-new Yaris but is 240 mm longer with a 30 mm taller ground clearance. It will slot below the C-HR and RAV4 in terms of exterior size and positioning.
Europe is highlighting the use of their fourth-generation hybrid in the Yaris Cross. Displacing 1.5-liters, this 3-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine puts out 116 horsepower driving either the front- or four wheels. Meanwhile, for the Japanese market, it’ll still have a non-hybrid version. This Dynamic Force 1.5-liter 3-cylinder will be solely available in front-wheel drive, and comes with a choice between a 6-speed manual or CVT.
The simple, spacious interior comes with all sorts of storage solutions adding to the Yaris Cross’s practicality and versatility. This includes a power tailgate, a split-adjustable cargo floor, and a rear seat with a 40/20/40 split-fold.
The foundation of the Yaris Cross’s safety performance is its GA-B platform, giving the car an exceptionally rigid body. With the intention of meeting the highest and most rigorous independent test standards, it will further benefit from Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems and advanced driver assistance functions as well.
The Yaris Cross will be manufactured at Toyota Motor East Japan Co., Ltd. for the Japan market, and at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France for the European market.
