I recently had the opportunity to experience the newly launched Nissan Almera from Nissan Philippines, a subcompact sedan that, according to Jill Christine S. Pena, Brand Marketing Senior Manager of Nissan Philippines, has been re-engineered to prioritize excitement, convenience, and safety. The top-of-the-line Almera model boasts noticeable upgrades compared to the Almera I know, setting it apart from other cars in its segment and making it a standout choice.

The first thing I noticed about the new Nissan Almera is its unique design, which exudes a sporty, dynamic, and elegant appeal. Its strong and aggressive exterior, characterized by a new V-Motion grille and a unique two-tone color option for the VL variant, adds a level of sophistication that's hard to miss. The new 16" alloy wheel design not only enhances the overall aesthetics but also improves its performance.

Checking the interior, the Almera doesn't disappoint. The revamped interior features a more ergonomic and intuitive dashboard design, crowned with an 8" Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio system that provides effortless access to entertainment, navigation, and communication. Compared to previous models that I used, the new Almera offers more legroom, headroom, and storage space. Cup holders, USB ports, and power outlets also contribute to the overall convenience, while comfortable and supportive seating wrapped in premium materials makes for a more pleasant ride.

Under the hood, the new Almera comes equipped with a powerful 1.0-liter turbo engine, delivering 100 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 152 Nm of torque at 2,400-4,000 rpm.

The new Almera boasts more Nissan Intelligent Mobility features like Lane Departure Warning, High Beam assist, aside from the Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection that can see even in a pitch-black environment.

As a technology editor, I always look for tech integration in vehicles, and the new Nissan Almera did not disappoint me. One standout innovation is the NissanConnect Services, enabling me to sync a mobile phone with the car and manage its features remotely. WATCHThis service is the first in the subcompact sedan segment that brings a new level of safety, security, and convenience. It includes emergency features like Automatic Collision Notification and SOS Emergency Call Button, along with real-time vehicle alerts including Zone Alert, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert, and Theft Alert safety and security features that allow you to monitor and set restrictions on your vehicle's movement and receive real-time alerts on your phone.

Here are the details of each feature:

•• Zone Alert: Set a radius where your vehicle can travel. You can create up to three zones and assign them names, such as Home, Work, and School. You can also set the days and times when each zone is active or inactive. You will receive an alert on your phone whenever your vehicle enters or exits a zone. This feature can help you keep track of your vehicle's location and prevent unauthorized use.

•• Speed Alert: Monitor and set the speed limit of your vehicle. You can create up to three-speed limits and assign them names, such as City, Highway, and School Zone. You can also set the days and times when each speed limit is active or inactive. You will receive an alert on your phone whenever your vehicle exceeds the speed limit. This feature can help you ensure safe driving and avoid speeding tickets.

•• Curfew Alert: Set a time in the day when your vehicle should remain off and alerts you whenever your car is driven outside the given schedule. You can create up to three curfews and assign them names, such as Night Time, Weekends, and Holidays. You can also set the days and times when each curfew is active or inactive. You will receive an alert on your phone whenever your vehicle is started or driven during a curfew. This feature can help prevent unauthorized vehicle use and enforce driving rules for your kids.

•• Theft Alert: The new Nissan Almera will alert you whenever it detects forced entry. If someone tries to break into your vehicle or tow it away, you will receive an alert on your phone with the location of your car. You can also contact the Nissan Emergency Response Center for assistance.

More tech inside the new Nissan Almera -- the NissanConnect also keeps you connected with your car with features like My Car Finder, Remote Engine Start/Stop, Remote Lock-Unlock, and Remote Horn and Lights.

Speaking of the remote horn and lights feature, this is one of the most useful features I will need as it allows me to locate the vehicle in a crowded parking lot or dark area. This feature lets me remotely activate the vehicle's horn and lights using my phone. I can also set the duration and frequency of the horn and lights and the distance from the car where I want to activate them. This feature can help me find the Nissan Almera quickly and easily, especially if I need to remember where I parked or if someone else is driving it.

The remote horn and lights feature is one of the many features of NissanConnect Services that make driving more convenient, safe, and enjoyable.

NissanConnect helps vehicle owners track vehicle maintenance schedules and mileage with Vehicle Health Report, Driving and Journey History, and Maintenance Alert and Reminder.

Take it easy on those long drives with Cruise Control. You simply set your speed, and the car maintains it without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can significantly decrease driver fatigue and even boost your fuel efficiency.

Conveniently located on the steering wheel are switches to adjust speed or turn off cruise control.

Forget the hassle of wires and plugs with Almera's Wireless Charging feature. Just lay your compatible smartphone on the pad in the centre console, and it'll start juicing up. No cables are required. It's an ideal way to keep your phone charged during drives while minimizing distractions.

Stay in the know with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This handy feature keeps an eye on the pressure in each tire, giving you a heads-up if any tire's pressure drops below the recommended pressure. You can even check the tire pressure status on the display panel.

The new Almera is equipped with six airbags as part of its comprehensive SRS Airbag System. These include dual front airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags covering both rows of seating. The front airbags are designed to protect you in frontal collisions, while the side and curtain airbags help safeguard occupants in side collisions or rollovers.

The pricing for the new Nissan Almera starts at ₱839,000 for the base model EL Turbo MT variant, ₱1,059,000 for the VE Turbo CVT variant, and ₱1,149,000 for the VL Turbo CVT variant with a 3-year subscription to NissanConnect Services worth ₱30,000 and a 5-year warranty. The charging pad and 5-year warranty are only for VL and VE variants.

Check out the new Nissan Almera at www.nissan.ph/almera.