Last year, the Mitsubishi Xpander was the best-selling car not just for Mitsubishi, or the MPV segment, but across the whole industry, including all brands and categories. 2025 saw 28,081 new Xpanders enter the Philippine roads, a full 1,000 plus units ahead of second placer Toyota Vios, and around 4,000 units more than the closest MPV rival in the form of the Toyota Avanza.
Showing posts with label Driver's Seat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Driver's Seat. Show all posts
June 2, 2026
The 2026 Mitsubishi Xpander GLS Is Fit For Purpose
Last year, the Mitsubishi Xpander was the best-selling car not just for Mitsubishi, or the MPV segment, but across the whole industry, including all brands and categories. 2025 saw 28,081 new Xpanders enter the Philippine roads, a full 1,000 plus units ahead of second placer Toyota Vios, and around 4,000 units more than the closest MPV rival in the form of the Toyota Avanza.
May 25, 2026
First Drive: 2026 Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid
The Sportage has been the subject of one of Kia’s longest teases in the market. The fifth-generation model, first launched globally in 2021, was under consideration for local sale as early as 2023 (we got to drive it in Korea then too). Since then, Kia Philippines got cold feet entering the compact SUV segment and opted to concentrate its efforts elsewhere. But now, it’s definitely coming back.
May 19, 2026
The 2027 Kia Seltos Sheds Its Korean-ness To Become A Global Citizen
In one year BC (Before COVID), or 2019 to you and me, Kia introduced the Seltos. It was their first effort at a true global sub-compact SUV that’s meant to compete in as many global markets as possible. By 2026, it’s sold in over 150 countries—more than the Stonic (40) and the Sonet (70) combined. But for all of its success, Kia admits that they were late to the small crossover game, and as a result, they’ve made compromises along the way. That all ends with the all-new, second-generation Seltos—a vehicle, Kia says, its tailor-fit to the needs and wants of SUV buyers, wherever they may be.
May 10, 2026
The Mazda CX-60 Is A Sense Of Achievement
In the Philippine automotive landscape, Mazda sits as an outlier. Although it’s considered a mainstream brand and mass market producer, it doesn’t play the same way as the other brands do.
May 4, 2026
Is The Hyundai Elantra N The Thinking Man's Performance Toy?
There comes a point in every petrol head’s life when they’re considering purchasing that one model which will signify to the world that they’re indeed a person who enjoys driving. However, true performance cars are few here in the Philippines, and the prices have breached what would be considered palatable for most people nowadays.
The Kia Sonet Remains Enticing Despite The Fuel Prices
What I like about this job is that I learn things on my own. This time, I found out driving pleasure and fun to drive are two different things. The former can be had with a Mazda MX-5, but you don’t have to go that expensive to have fun. Some cars are just plain fun to drive, like this Kia Sonet SX.
April 27, 2026
The 2026 Stargazer Proves Why It's Worthy Of Being The Best-Selling Hyundai Model
One of my favorite cars in the whole automotive industry is the Hyundai Stargazer. Ever since it was launched a few years ago, this I thought, is what a proper, modern, well-made, and decently equipped MPV should be. It turned out to be a success for Hyundai because the Stargazer has quickly become its best-selling model, and spawned many iterations in the X variant, and even a short-lived 6-seater version.
April 20, 2026
The 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator GT Could Have Been Great But...
I’ve been critical of Mitsubishi as of late, a once-thriving brand that filled a good mix of models and variants has been reduced to very few selections. Not to mention that the line-up continues to age and get left behind by most of the competition.
April 19, 2026
Review: 2026 Suzuki Fronx Hybrid SGX
Suzuki, both here and abroad, has made a name for itself making cheap, reliable, small cars. Their expertise in this field meant that they’re more or less been shielded by the onslaught of Chinese offerings. However, every once in a while, they’d offer something a bit leftfield. In the past few years, there has been the SX4, the Kizashi, and the Grand Vitara (which includes its 7-seater derivative, the OG XL7). The latest one to join that list is the Fronx. It’s their latest corporate experiment move upmarket, only it’s worthy of consideration.
April 17, 2026
The VF6 Is Proof That VinFast Dreams Big But Faces Harsh Truths
The recent conflict in the Middle East has given life to the electrified mobility brands in the Philippines. With surging fuel prices dominating the headlines, motorists have finally decided to look into HEVs, or EVs.
April 13, 2026
The Subaru WRX Wagon Offers Performance Level Driving For Everyday Living
Before there were crossovers, there were wagons. These were the classic modes of transport that allowed you to move people and a good amount of cargo without having your car look like a stackable, as how most sedans would turn out to be once packing was completed. This kind of vehicle format quickly inspired the development of a hatch. Not only is it functional, but it offers the most practical way to load and unload whatever cargo you may have with little obstruction.
April 9, 2026
Review: 2026 MG5 Prestige CVT
Every great magic trick consists of three acts. The first act is called, “The Pledge.” The magician shows you something ordinary, but of course, it probably isn’t. The second act is called, “The Turn.” The magician makes this ordinary thing do something extraordinary. Now, you’re looking for the secret, but you won’t find it. That’s why there’s a third act called, “The Prestige.” This is the part with the twists and the turns. Where lives hang in the balance and you see something shocking that you’ve never seen before.
April 6, 2026
Does The Honda Prelude e:HEV Deserve All The Hate? We Drive It To Find Out
This is 2026’s most hated car, and not for reasons you think. When Honda decided to revive the Prelude nameplate for a sixth generation, the first time in over 20 years, expectations were high that one: it would kick the GR 86 and Miata’s ass and that two: it would be priced just as well. Instead, what the world got was a chimera of sorts between a Civic e:HEV and a Civic Type R wearing fancier clothes. This elicited reaction where enthusiasts wanted to kill it with fire. It was so negative that it made Nina Tucker’s fate in Fullmetal Alchemist great in comparison. Or is it?
April 5, 2026
Not Much Frills, Much More Thrills: The Hyundai Venue Impresses With Its Simplicity
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that cars are fast becoming too complicated. While I do enjoy the occasional comfort feature here and there, I find myself spending most of my time while reviewing cars trying to figure out what each button does.
April 4, 2026
Review: 2026 Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid
You could argue that the Forester, and more generally Subaru, has lost its mojo. From making slightly oddball cars and SUVs, including high-performance turbocharged ones, they’re now as safe as vanilla in a Baskin-Robbins shop. The fifth-generation Forester, the SK as it’s known by its model code, is notorious for being the blandest of them all. About as exciting as watching two people play Scrabble, at least it was competent at the typical family SUV stuff. This brings us to the all-new Forester, or the SL if you tend to call Subarus by their model code. It’s still as innocuous as ever, but it now boasts of quality ingredients. Yes, it’s still every bit the vanilla ice cream, but this is one of those sea salt Tahitian vanilla variety.
March 30, 2026
The 2026 Radar RD6 EM-P Luxury 4x4 Is Legit
I’m one of those people who doesn’t like a pickup, but needs a pickup. My side quests involve big but not heavy things which are cumbersome to bring in my personal small hatchback. A pickup makes a lot of sense, but I really detest their ride quality especially if there’s no load at the bed.
March 19, 2026
The 2026 Toyota Urban Cruiser Is An Easygoing BEV That Could Use More Personality
To say that the Japanese love curry is an understatement. They consume so much of the stuff be it at restaurants, at home, or heck, via vendo machines, that it could be arguably called a national dish. The thing is, it didn’t originate from there, but from India. Only, it’s been changed and adopted so much to suit the Japanese palette that it doesn’t look, taste, or smell anything like the OG. It’s these adaptations that the Toyota Urban Cruiser could very well need.
March 18, 2026
Is The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Too Good To Ignore?
There are plenty of jokes thrown the Toyota RAV4’s way for the past two generations or so. Chief among them is the lack of an all-wheel drive drivetrain even as an option. It’s ironic for a vehicle whose name is an abbreviation for, “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel Drive.” This is something Toyota has rectified with the arrival of the sixth-generation model. The return of all-wheel drive as standard issue is the final piece of the product puzzle—the two others being a competitive price tag and an electrified powertrain—making the RAV4 a complete compact SUV. Now, the joke is on the competition.
March 16, 2026
Review: 2026 MG HS Hybrid+
The first time MG brought the HS nameplate to the Philippine market, it was a neatly styled, competent, but hard to love compact SUV. Apart from its budget conscious pricing, it didn’t offer much in terms of emotional appeal. For its second coming, the brand turned to a brand-new platform and incorporated a full hybrid powertrain from the get-go. Though not exactly transformative, these developments have managed to close the gap dynamically and tech-wise, while keeping the HS’s value-oriented positioning.
March 11, 2026
BYD's DM-i Models Win Me Over Bad Roads Going To Bicol
BYD educated me a lot last year. Every car launched is followed up with a drive that always involves a short lecture about their DM-i hybrid system. They even invited me to China last year to see their headquarters and what they’re working on. I swear I was muttering, “DM-i” in my sleep that when they invited me for an “all DM-i” drive, I almost refused.
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