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Whether you’re in it for brute force or pure finesse or both, there’s so much to Nissan automobiles than what meets the eyes. This second installment (part 1 is here) of Nissan cars – featuring the Nissan Frontier Navara, Murano, Patrol, and Urvan – will surely prove our point. So buckle up and get ready for a powerful ride and let’s take a look at wonderful automobiles that will surely satiate your senses.

Nissan Frontier Navara

Let’s kick things off with the Nissan Frontier Navara, a pick-up truck that’s capable of doing just about anything you throw at it. With a 2.5L engine aided by a six-speed manual transmission and a 4WD system, this sleek-looking pick-up can easily turn up the heat and turn into a beast whenever needed. The independent suspension with a matching longer wheelbase also deserves some highlights that should feature for you a strong muscular truck that can take you even when the road turns unforgiving.

On top of the brute showing, the Navara is as comfortable as your top of the line SUV. And just as you would expect from a versatile truck, you can also transform the Navara into an urban dweller. Well, there’s more to this car than pure power and sleek poetry in motion.

Nissan Murano

Speaking of the Navara made us think of top of the line SUVs; well guess what, we wouldn’t have to look outside of Nissan to find one. Here comes the Nissan Murano, a crossover SUV that’s been highly anticipated and now, well celebrated. This automobile features a V6 configuration up front with a displacement of 3.5L. This powerful system is aided by a 6-speed CVT transmission and a 4WD system that promises to offer grip and traction. The Murano’s icing on the cake is its sophisticated exterior that underlines the wonderful crossover SUV that it is.

Nissan Patrol Safari / Royale

Nissan boasts a two-punch combo in the form of the Nissan Patrol Safari and the Royale, two uncompromising vehicles with powerful off-road capabilities. The Safari has been a stalwart top performer in the Fullsize SUV category; so trustworthy that the UN picks it as transportation of choice for getting them into places. It is fitted with a 3.0L 158 bhp engine and a 280 lb-ft of torque.

The newer Royale on the other hand is equipped with a 5.6 V8 engine that can muster out 317hp and 526Nm of torque – that pure strength and power for a trusty SUV is rarely paralleled wherever you look.
Both models thrive in the comfort they give, with the Patrol Safari able to juice up your digital lifestyle in the form of connectivity for you iPods, CDs, DVDs, MP3s and many more. The Royale on the other hand can give you the same and a little bit more such as a multi-info display panel and a 13-speaker Bose audio system that should give your ears a pleasant ride.

Nissan Urvan

Finally, we come to the Urvan, the powerful yet economic van that has been the automobile of choice for businessmen and big families alike. The van features a 2.7L (a 3.0L variant is out in the market these days) that can offer as much as 83 bhp (1.4 bhp for the 3.0L) of pure juice. With a sturdy frame, the Urvan can pack as much as 18 persons and should make things look very light.

Nissan has been a rock on the automobile industry’s river since time immemorial; and guess what, this rock aint going downstream anytime soon. With their prolific lineup of cars made for family comfort, you really should take a look at what they have to offer in this ever-challenging industry.

This is a two-part series of articles featuring the best of what Nissan has offerings in the Philippines.

The first part features the following:

• Nissan Serena
• Nissan Livina
• Nissan X-Trail
• Nissan Sentra
• Nissan Teana

Part 2 completes the line up with:

• Nissan Frontier Navara
• Nissan Murano
• Nissan Patrol Safari and Royale
• Nissan Urvan

Now, on to the topics for this first series…

Nissan Serena

Speaking of prolific family-ish cars, let’s start off with the Serena. With a seating capacity up to 10, a sleek finish and comfort-biased suspensions, this vehicle has what it takes to take your family around town with ease. In fact it has room for some more!

Nissan Serena comes two variants: the 250 Luxury and 250 Elegance. Its 2.5L engine rated at 160 HP won’t disappoint. But the best feature this vehicle has is a healthy set of safety mechanisms designed to complement luxury with security.

Nissan Serena Video Clip

Watch this video to take a closer look at the Nissan Serena.

Nissan Livina

And then there’s the Livina, a multipurpose vehicle that is best defined by its wide range of accessories for comfort and enjoyment. The Livina features a 1.8L engine that can easily kick-out 126 horsepower. This coupled with a spacious interior and well-structured seating design makes the car a real multipurpose gem.

As mentioned, the Livina’s features are a wonderful thing to behold. The top-end has a sun roof and leather seats which really make for a remarkable vehicle worthy of attention.

Grand Livina Commercial

Nissan X-Trail

And then we have the X-Trail, a compact SUV that’s made for the city and the countryside alike. The X-Trail boasts a 4×4 drive with a 2.4L engine at the top-end; a lower-end model features a 2.0L engine and a 2WD.

The X-Trail is sure to impress as its wide and flat design allows for more stability and comfort no matter the type of road you are navigating. It may be a bit costly though especially at the top-end but with all the magnificent features, you don’t even have to think twice when considering the X-Trail.

Nissan X-Trail Review (Australian Version)

Nissan Sentra

From an all-purpose SUV to Nissan’s face of elegance: the Sentra has been making waves for quite a long time and now and its beauty is still a thing to behold. It’s simply a wonderful sedan for the family to enjoy and it has proven its worth since its inception.

But while the Sentra might look purely sophisticated, but you ought to know that it can pack some grunt power too. Its top-end model is packed with a punch in the form of a 1.6L GS engine that can take you up to as much as 180 km/h. That’s a class act for the racer boy in you to drool on!

Kelly Blue Book Review of the Nissan Sentra

Nissan Teana

Or if you want to satisfy your senses with more elegance, the Teana is a class act way beyond compare. The Teana’s VQ engine is at the pinnacle of the world’s best engines. If you’re in for more details, we need not say that a V6, DOHC, 24-Valve, in V-type engine type is something that you won’t find anywhere.

The Teanas executive look is best defined by a top-load sunroof. The LED lights featured by the car can only make it more beautiful; may it be at night or in broad daylight. You will surely turn heads with this car.

The Honda brand is practically synonymous with world-renowned Japanese excellence and integrity. The company that built the multi-billion dollar robot ASIMO also translates its cutting edge technology to the Honda car that you purchase. It is thus that the discerning car owner takes pride in owning a Honda. Though it may a bit pricey compared to its counterpart models in Toyota, Honda cars lend an air of exclusivity as it is company policy not to sell their cars for public transportation. Furthermore, the direction of Honda is towards producing environment-friendly cars and currently, all its models are now Euro 4 compliant.

In the Philippines, Honda carries five flagship cars. These are the City, Jazz, Civic, CR-V, and Accord. The current models of Honda are now equipped with the ingenious i-VTEC engine which combines power and low fuel consumption. Also, the paddle shift feature which gives fingertip gearshift control at the steering wheel is available for all models.

Honda City

The Honda City is now a full-sized sedan that best serves city driving. Having evolved from the initially cockroach-looking model about a decade ago, the City now boasts of a sleek sedan body structure that is matched with relaxed power cruising and rapid acceleration. Available in three 1.3 variants, either manual or automatic transmissions and range from Php691,000.00 to Php 771,000.00. The 1.5 variant is only available in automatic transmission and costs Php821, 000.00.

Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz is a fun utility vehicle that traverses city streets as well as faraway provincial roads and proves that long distance driving can still be a great pleasure in a seemingly small car. It serves the traveling urbanite very well with its adjustable cargo space brought about by laying the back seats flat on the floor. The aerodynamic body of the Honda Jazz cuts air resistance and contributes to its speed and remarkable fuel efficiency. The sporty look and features of the Honda Jazz give the driver a sense of adventure and fun coupled with the reliability of excellently tested technologies. The Honda Jazz is available in 1.3 models of manual or automatic transmission, and costs Php 742,000.00 and Php 782,000.00 respectively. The 1.5 model is only available in automatic transmission and costs Php 842,000.00.

Honda Civic

The Civic is Honda’s full-sized sedan with either a 1.8L SOHC i-VTEC or 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engines. This sporty high performance car gives a feeling of exhilaration with its smooth driving performance and reliable acceleration brought about by its Drive-By-Wire technology. The Honda Civic is available in four 1.8L variants with manual or automatic transmissions and range from Php 873,000.00 to Php 978,000.00; and two 2.0L variants only in automatic transmission that each cost Php 1,115,000.00 and Php1,135,000.00.

Honda CR-V

The CR-V is Honda’s take on the SUV. The Honda CR-V is branded as a global SUV for crossover lifestyles that makes a strong impression on city streets and off-road trips. The CR-V is available in 2.0L 2WD models with either manual or automatic transmission and goes for Php 1,275,000.00 and Php1, 325,000.00 respectively. For more rugged off-road performance, there is also a Honda CR-V in 2.4L S-X 4WD only in automatic transmission and you can own it for Php 1,525,000.00; add another Php20,000.00 if you want this model in a more flashy Brilliant White Pearl.

Edmunds.com Review of the 2010 Honda CR-V

Honda Accord

The majestic Accord is Honda’s top-of-the-line very upscale sedan. With a look that spells distinction and uncompromising safety features, the Honda Accord gives a sense of power and class all its own. The Honda Accord is equipped with 2.4L i-VTEC engine, 6-airbag system, and the automatic safety response of its engine system to lower to the ground in case of collision so as to prevent more damaging impact to its passengers. The Accord comes in three variants: 2.4L S A/T for Php 1, 680,000.00; 3.5L S-V A/T V6 for Php 2,030,000.00; and the same 3.5L model in Brilliant White Pearl for another Php20, 000.00.

Drive Time Review of the 2011 Honda Accord Special Edition

Toyota has been the topmost vehicle brand of choice for most Filipinos. From the most basic car to the high-end pick up trucks, Toyota cuts across and appeals to a very wide market. With service centers scattered all over the country and spare parts readily available and affordable, Toyota is a practical and intelligent choice.

This is the second of a three-part series of articles featuring the latest in Toyota Line up. In particular, we’ll be featuring the following:

• Innova
• Hiace
• Hilux
• Landcruiser

Toyota Innova

To start off, there is the ubiquitous Innova, said to be the Philippines’ best selling vehicle. Introduced in 2005 to replace the then popular Revo, the Toyota Innova is a multi-purpose vehicle with as many as twelve variants that cost from a minimum of Php 803,000.00. One has a choice between gasoline and diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions, 2.0 and 2.5 engine fuel displacements. From the no-frills Toyota Innova J variant to the high-end Toyota Innova V variant which is available only in automatic transmission and has top of the line audio system, Innova truly represents the Toyota spirit in the Philippines.

Price of Toyota Innova

INNOVA 2.0 E Gas A/T Php978,000.00
INNOVA 2.0 E Gas M/T Php913,000.00
INNOVA 2.0 G Gas A/T Php1,078,000.00
INNOVA 2.0 G Gas M/T Php1,013,000.00
INNOVA 2.0 J Gas M/T Php803,000.00
INNOVA 2.0 V Gas A/T Php1,140,000.00
INNOVA 2.5 E Dsl A/T Php1,033,000.00
INNOVA 2.5 E Dsl M/T Php968,000.00
INNOVA 2.5 G Dsl A/T Php1,133,000.00
INNOVA 2.5 G Dsl M/T Php1,068,000.00
INNOVA 2.5 J Dsl M/T Php858,000.00
INNOVA 2.5 V Dsl A/T Php1,195,000.00

Compare the Toyota Innova with Mitsubishi Fusion, Kia Carens

Video Commercial of Toyota Innova:

Toyota Hiace

The Toyota Hiace may be described as minibus that was first launched in 1967. Already popular in the Philippines in the 70s, the fifth generation Hiace was launched in the country in 2005. It now exists in seven variants more commonly referred to as a GL Grandia, Super Grandia, or Commuter. With prices ranging from Php1,215,00.00 to Php1,905,00, the Hiace gives a plush ride that can comfortably accommodate up to 11 passengers. The Toyota Hiace is also available in diesel and gas engines.

Price of Toyota Hiace

HIACE Commuter 2.5 M/T Php1,215,000.00
HIACE GL Grandia 2.5 M/T 2-tone Php1,485,000.00
HIACE GL Grandia 2.5 M/T Monotone Php1,470,000.00
HIACE Super Grandia 2.5 A/T (fabric) 2-tone Php1,750,000.00
HIACE Super Grandia 2.5 A/T (fabric) Monotone Php1,735,000.00
HIACE Super Grandia 2.5 A/T 2-tone Php1,905,000.00
HIACE Super Grandia 2.5 A/T Monotone Php1,890,000.00

Compare the Toyota Hiace with Nissan Urvan, Hyundai Starex

Toyota Hilux

Toyota also has its line of pickup trucks more commonly known as the Toyota Hilux. The Hilux comfortably manages a good blend of city streets and rough terrain. This compact truck is available in eight variants from the most basic just cab-and-chassis Hilux which costs Php679,00.00 to the 4×4 3.0 Dsl A/T which costs nearly Php1.5M. It is also available in a slightly modest model of 4×2 Dsl M/T and A/T. The Toyota Hilux combines powerful performance with practical utility and reliability.

Price of Toyota Hilux

HILUX 4×2 E 2.5 Dsl M/T Php910,000.00
HILUX 4×2 G 2.5 Dsl M/T Php1,075,000.00
HILUX 4×2 J 2.5 Dsl M/T Php823,000.00
HILUX 4×4 G 3.0 Dsl A/T Php1,464,000.00
HILUX 4×4 G 3.0 Dsl M/T Php1,408,000.00
HILUX Cab and Chassis Php679,000.00
HILUX HSPU W/o Rr A/C Php830,000.00
HILUX HSPU with Rr A/C Php860,000.00

Compare the Toyota Hilux with Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Strada.

Review of Toyota Hilux:

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser is the granddaddy of all Toyota vehicles. A heady combination of sheer ruggedness and elegance, the Toyota Land Cruiser gives outstanding performance on all roads. In the Philippines, the Land Cruiser line is manifest as the Prado. There are currently six variants of the Land Cruiser Prado with advanced 3.0 or 4.0 turbo diesel engines with highly responsive power. Though big and bulky, the Prado is composed of all-new lightweight alloy that gives the feel of a premium car performance. The Land Cruiser is a powerful truck with excellent off-road capability matched with luxurious interiors of high quality leather seating and wood grain finish that enhance the atmosphere of exclusivity and being in command of things.

Furthermore, the Land Cruiser Prado is equipped with advanced 4WD capabilities and a slew of electronic amenities. But Toyota does not just stop at the Land Cruiser Prado. It also has the Land Cruiser LC200 with a wholly powerful 4.5 Dsl engine on top of all the other features. But in the Philippines, this Land Cruiser LC200 has to be specially imported and costs Php4,065,00. The Land Cruiser Prado ranges from Php 2,750,00 to Php 3,610.00.

Price Land Cruiser

Land Cruiser ’09 LC200 4.5 Dsl A/T (’09 Imp) Php4,065,000.00
Land Cruiser 09 Prado 3.0 A/T Php3,595,000.00
Land Cruiser 09 Prado 3.0 A/T WP Php3,610,000.00
Land Cruiser 09 Prado 3.0 M/T Php3,495,000.00
Land Cruiser 09 Prado 3.0 M/T WP Php3,510,000.00
Land Cruiser 10 Prado 4.0L V6 WP Php2,765,000.00
Land Cruiser 10 Prado 4.0L V6 WP Php2,750,000.00

Compare the Toyota Land Cruiser with Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Suburban

Review of Toyota Land Cruiser by Kelley Bluebook:

The Philippines loves Toyota. And this article is the first part of a series of articles featuring the vehicles from Toyota. For this article, we have line up the following :

• Toyota Avanza
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Corolla / Altis
• Toyota Fortuner

Toyota Avanza

“Avanza” is an Italian word which translates to “advance” in English. This mini MVP from Toyota was originally intended as a downsized version of Toyota Kijang – the higher version being the Toyota Innova.

In the Philippines, the Toyota Avanza is currently offered in two variants: 1.3J (1.3-L engine, manual transmission) and 1.5G (1.5-L engine, manual and automatic transmission).

Price of Toyota Avanza:

1.3J MT = 593,000
1.3J (7-seater) MT =613,000
1.5G MT = 803,000; AT=843,000

Compare the Toyota Avanza with: Suzuki APV.

Toyota Philippines

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is among Toyota’s best selling car in the US. As a matter of fact, it held the number #1 post in terms of sale in the US for nine long years since 1997 until 2007.

Looking at the exterior, the Toyota Camry may not have changed much from its previous generations. But the interior features of this mid-sized sedan really stand out in terms of comfort, safety and space. Toyota is a master in ergonomics and it becomes visible when you take a peek at the inside of the car. In terms of safety, Toyota Camry is never short of air bags (dual-stage front, side, curtain airbags) and its braking system comes equipped with ABS and EBD.

Price of Toyota Camry

2.4G AT=1,451,000
2.4V AT=1,681,000
3.5Q AT = 2,010,000

Compare Toyota Camry with: Honda Accord, Hyundai Azera

Toyota Camry Review from Cars.com

Toyota Corolla / Altis

The Toyota Corolla is undoubtedly the best-selling car in the world. And its most recent incarnation – the Toyota Corolla Altis – is Toyota’s best selling compact sedan ever.

First introduced in 1966, there are roughly 35 million Toyota Corollas sold worldwide. With it’s track record of durability and reliability, the Toyota Corolla is fast becoming the benchmark against which other cars of this type is compared.

In the Philippines, the Toyota Corolla is probably the most beloved car by the Filipinos.

Price of Toyota Corolla Altis

1.6E MT = 784,000
1.6G MT = 833,000; AT=869,000
1.6V AT = 925,000
2.0V AT = 1,110,000

Compare this sedan with: Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Mazda 3

Review of Toyota Corolla

Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is just among the Japanese car manufacturer’s product that resulted from its IMV Project in Thailand – the other two being the Toyota Hilux and the Toyota Innova.

Built from the similar platform as the Toyota Hilux pickup truck, this mid-size SUV was first introduced in the Philippines in 2005 and was meant to supplant the Toyota RAV 4 and the Toyota Landcruiser. And true enough the SUV was a success on its own.

Price of Toyota Fortuner

G 4×2 AT=1,414,000
G 4×4 MT=1,349,000; AT=1,479,000
V 4×4 AT=1,741,000

Compare the Toyota Fortuner with: Isuzu Alterra, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Video Review of Toyota Fortuner