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If you like unique, techy, affordable cars, you should check out our review of the Erick Kalugdan or Kuya EV’s Jaecoo EJ6, known as i-Car 03 in China, here at https://youtu.be/tgFwbipbAHE?

City driving is a very basic task for this unit, however, it is strong and powerful enough to take on long drives and light off-road trails because of its technology from the land of EVs and a high ground clearance of 225mm. It also has a wading depth of 600mm, making it easy to drive through floods with no hassle or damage.

It has 4 surrounding cameras which its system will stitch to give you a 540° view of the car, allowing you to see even underneath real-time in either 2D or 3D mode. At the rear, a large storage box is featured which can fit accessories, its own portable charger, extensions and an adapter.

The charging port can be accessed on the right of the car. Its AC has a slow charging of 7 kilowatts, with the DC having a fast charging of 60 Kilowatts. Just one tap is needed to push it open or close.

You will notice that it boasts flash handles that look clean and premium. And once you're inside the unit, a spacious interior that can effortlessly carry 5 to 6 passengers will greet you.

The steering wheel is flat on the top and at the bottom, making going in and out of the driver‘s seat quick and easy. It has a lot of tactile controls like volume adjustment, going to the next or previous song or video, pause and play button, and a return button or exit button. The air conditioner controls and the speed up or slow down of the cruise control are also accessible on the wheel. When sounding the horn, there is no delay and it is loud enough to make up for the fact that EVs are very quiet on the inside and the outside.

A 15.6 infotainment screen is featured in the front of the car. It has all your essential controls like switching  driving modes from normal, eco, standard, and custom mode for your comfort. The regenerative braking can also be adjusted from low, medium, and strong so you can manually adjust its stopping power as well as how strong the energy recovery is. The firmness and ease of steering also has a selection from comfort, sports, and custom to further personalize your experience. 

Aside from that, adjusting the side mirror in the infotainment screen is also an option. Another essential feature it has is using a USB cable to connect your phone to the car beat and have it mirror your screen.

On the center console, you have two cup holders and the auto-hold button instead of a handbrake. The wireless charging on the center also has a cooling system to prevent your phone from overheating while on the dock. There is also a ventilated pocket in the middle for chocolates or temp-sensitive items.

The visor sunshade in the driver’s seat has light-up mirrors and secret storage space. In addition, there is also a hidden container behind the infotainment screen. And of course, there is a decent-sized bin on the bottom of the doors. 

At the second row of seats, there is also a cup holder and ample storage as the actual seats also serve as storerooms that can effortlessly fit long items like fishing gears. They can also access a USB-A and USB-C fast charge on the center. 

The legroom on this unit is plenty and bumping on each other's knees or to the seats upfront won't be a problem.

The trunk's cargo capacity can be maximized if you put the third row seats down. It can smoothly fit several balikbayan boxes, emergency vest and signs, tire repair kit, and whatever comes to mind. Even the trunk door and sides has an extra netted bin.

The Jaecoo EJ6 also has an automatic shutdown feature if you lock the doors. To manually turn it off, three presses of the button overhead is required. To turn it back on, you just need to step on the brakes.

For pet owners, there is a pet mode you can use when you need to go out but leave your pet in the car. When it is in use, the screen will display what the temperature is inside the car and a note that says ”owner will be back soon” so as to keep your pet safe without worrying others.

In hotter countries like the Philippines, seat overheating protection is very useful. It will maintain a set temperature inside the cabin so you won't burn yourself off when you get back inside. And of course, since it's an EV, there's no engine contributing to the heat inside and outside.

And now that we’ve discovered its exterior and interior features, let’s now check out its performance!

To get the basics down, the Jaecoo EJ6 has a real wheel drive with a maximum power of 135 hp, 220 Nm of Torque, and a top speed of 150 km/h which will give you a very smooth drive. Another advantage of an electric vehicle is its speedy acceleration. It can achieve 0 to 100 km/h in just 10 seconds. And with just these alone, overtaking is basically elementary.

With kuya EVs help, we also tested its light off-road capabilities, and with no exaggeration at all, this unit can efficiently run on rocky roads without too much bouncing. 

The EJ6 has a range of 400 km, but based on kuya EVs experience, the actual kilometers it can achieve is 330 which means 1% of the battery will give you 3.3 kilometers, which as he said, is more than enough for his daily drives. Kuya EV usually takes the unit for a spin at least 20 km a day. 

Here’s a fun fact for you, mga Ka-Manibela, did you know that here in the Philippines, only 3 people own an iCar 03, with Kuya EV being one of them? Well now you do!

Going back to its abilities, Kuy EV has once tried to wade through a high level flood while going to BGC from Buendia Taft. While he was driving, he didn't expect to run into knee-high flood waters around makati, atchino roces street. Since it was his first time to encounter such a situation, it was of course normal to take a minute first to assess before moving forward. Fortunately, when he made it past the floods, the Jaecoo EJ6 was still running perfectly. He took it for a preventive maintenance service or PMS shortly after and alas, they didn't find a single problem with it.

This is one of the advantages of a pure electric vehicle compared to an internal combustion engine, they are safer to go through floodwaters since they don't have a gasoline or diesel engine. Typical ICE units need to intake oxygen and exhaust carbon monoxide to work. That’s two possible openings where the water may come in. However, EVs only need a sealed battery and a sealed motor directly connected to the wheels axles whose wirings are also sealed and has a waterproofing rate of IP67, making it safer, and making you more confident to wade through flood with no anxiety. But in case water is unexpectedly high enough to get in the vehicle, it has a safety feature that will automatically shut off all your controls and disconnect the main high voltage battery to other parts to prevent damage and electrocution.

Another term we’ve all heard of before is “range anxiety”. But the Jaecoo EJ6 will cure that for you. Kuya EV has tried driving it in a battery percentage as low as 7% with no issues at all. In fact, kuya EV has already taken the Jaecoo EJ6 to Pampanga, Olongapo, Subic, and even Bataan in just one full charge! And as Kuya EV said, you can go on a lot of long trips, as long as it is planned well with charging station stopovers. Spontaneity will not solve anxiety, but a well thought out route will let you relax and enjoy the drive.

Here's another fun fact for you, mga Ka-Manibela, do you know that PMS costs of EVs are significantly cheaper than internal combustion engines? That’s because it has fewer parts than ICE vehicles. No engine, no belts, no fuel tanks and pumps, no clutch,and no more expensive and time consuming services. Kuya EVs first PMS after a year was only 5,000 pesos. And in the case that something needs to be replaced, the 8 year warranty will be able to cover it. Since warranties are usually half the length of the actual lifespan of the vehicle, that means the Jaecoo EJ6 can be used for at least 16 years with proper care.

And that is Kuya EV’s powerful Jaecoo EJ6! Thanks for reading, mga Ka-Manibela!

The VinFast VF3: almost a year of ownership with JeffAnnVentures

Ka-Manibela, let me take you through one owner's near year-long journey with the VinFast VF3, a compact electric mini-SUV that has quietly become a favorite among city drivers looking to escape rising fuel costs.

Jeff of JeffAnnVentures acquired his VinFast VF3 in August of 2025, and it has served double duty as both a personal vehicle and a workhorse for his small business. 

The decision to go electric was driven by a simple, practical goal: saving money on fuel. While the family primarily stays within the city, they occasionally venture out, and so far, the VF3 has proven to be an incredibly worthwhile investment.

The first thing you notice about the VF3 is its size. When Jeff and his family first saw it, they actually thought it was too small. But appearances can be deceiving, and the compact footprint is one of the vehicle's greatest strengths. It is incredibly easy to maneuver no matter where you go, and parking is a breeze. When comparing it to rivals like the BYD Seagull, the VF3 stood out because while it is small, it sits noticeably higher off the ground, a feature that greatly appealed to the family.

The design itself is quite boxy, giving it a retro character that Jeff and his family genuinely appreciates. The rugged look is enhanced by black bumpers, black fenders, and black side skirts running around the entire vehicle. Some might not love the black trim, but Jeff finds it gives the car a tough and capable appearance. For those interested in customization, a roof rack can be added, though owners should be careful not to exceed 50 kilograms of load.

The VF3 is rear-wheel drive, with the electric motor mounted directly to the differential at the rear wheels. The vehicle also comes equipped with projector headlights, which was one of the considerations that helped seal the deal. As for the color, Jeff simply chose red because nearly all of his previous cars have been red, and its catchy color exudes a distinctive presence on the road.

Despite its diminutive exterior, the VF3 surprises with how spacious it feels inside. This was one of the most unexpected discoveries for Jeff and his family. The seats can be lowered to maximize space, and because the car is used for business, it regularly carries 30 to 40 kilograms of stock for their store. The interior manages to feel far more generous than the exterior dimensions would suggest.

When it comes to power, Jeff and his fellow users have never complained. The VF3 is genuinely powerful, even on uphill climbs. The family has taken the car on long trips without any issues of the motor feeling strained. The top speed is limited to 104 kilometers per hour, which Jeff considers more than enough for both city driving and highway use. They also frequently use the Skyway, and the VF3 handles it without complications.

The vehicle features ABS, or Anti-Lock Braking System, which is remarkable at this price point. It also has seatbelts for all passengers, audible warnings when reversing or parking, a reverse parking camera, and a driver's airbag. Another particularly thoughtful feature is the auto-lock function: after about five minutes of inactivity, the car locks itself, a feature that arrived with the latest firmware update.

The VF3 offers two driving modes, Eco and Normal, which can be switched easily through the infotainment system, even while driving. The stock speaker audio quality is adequate for most owners, and for those who want to upgrade, there are plug-and-play options that don't require splicing wires, which would otherwise void the warranty.

In terms of riding comfort, the VF3's firm suspension is the one area where it noticeably falls short compared to other vehicles. The ride is somewhat stiff, a trait that persisted from purchase through regular use. Fortunately, there are many aftermarket options to upgrade the suspension, and Jeff recently did just that, noting the improvement. For those who find it still too firm, pricier options are available.

The braking power is more than sufficient, thanks to the torque characteristics of the electric motor. Jeff has never felt the brakes were lacking. On the highway, the VF3 is remarkably stable. One might expect a small car to wobble when a bus passes at speed, but the VF3 holds its line. This stability was further enhanced when Jeff swapped the stock tires, which were 175/75 on 16-inch rims, for wider Wanli Alpinism 205/60-16 all-terrain tires. The extra width contributed significantly to the car's planted feel, making long drives genuinely enjoyable and appreciably less bumpier.

Jeff’s longest journey so far with the VF3 was from Santa Rosa, Laguna to Angeles, Pampanga and back, requiring only two charging stops. The entire trip cost less than 600 pesos, an astonishing figure for a south-to-north-and-back journey. Having experienced a long trip, the family's big plan is a trip to Baguio, an endurance test question for any new car in the Philippines. Since the VF3's range is 210 kilometers on a full charge, they are carefully mapping out mandatory stopovers at charging stations and will document the journey in a future vlog. Speaking of vlogs, a previous trip to Tagaytay and back on a single charge became one of their most popular videos.

When they were considering the VF3, their biggest hesitation was the state of charging infrastructure in the Philippines. After thorough research, they found that charging stations are becoming increasingly common. Even better, VinFast offers free charging for its owners until March of 2029. At the time of his purchase, the processing was quick and easy, though Jeff notes that lines have since become longer at dealerships.

On after-sales service and parts availability, Jeff has no complaints so far. He hasn't yet reached his first scheduled maintenance, which is at 10,000 kilometers or one year, whichever comes first, but on other matters, the dealership has been very accommodating.

Charging The Vinfast VF3 is straightforward. It uses a CCS2 plug and supports DC fast charging only. VinFast stations offer 60-kilowatt chargers and a charge from 20 to 100 percent takes about an hour. Most stations have two guns, so two vehicles split the 60 kilowatts, roughly 30 each. The VF3 itself has an input of 20 kilowatts. But back at their home, the included portable 3.3-kilowatt charger takes about five hours for the same charge. Owners can adjust their charging target, dropping it to 90 percent if they're concerned about battery health, and can set a low-battery reminder, which Jeff has configured at 30 percent. It's perfectly fine to leave the car on while charging; doing so allows the low-voltage battery to charge simultaneously.

At the charging stations, there's a courteous system with the Green GSM taxis, which were launched by VinFast Auto Philippines. Private owners are given priority, and the taxi drivers will often wave you in when a spot opens up. Jeff emphasizes that courtesy should always be extended to the taxi drivers, who are simply earning a living.

For those switching to an EV, Jeff offers one important warning: avoid floods. The battery and motor sit beneath the flooring on most EVs, so it's essential to evacuate flooded areas before water reaches the battery.

So, who is the VF3 for? If you're looking to escape the cost of gasoline, this is the answer. After nearly a year of ownership, Jeff wholeheartedly recommends it, with one caveat: know your purpose for buying. The VF3 is small, so large families shopping for a spacious vehicle should look elsewhere. But for those who understand what they're getting, the VF3 is an incredibly worthwhile, cost-saving companion.

Watch the full review here: https://youtu.be/KT4y1uW8nJM? 

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