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August 30, 2013

10 Best Cars for Manila's Floods


We’ve always been asked and here’s our answer. These are our Top 10 picks for the best vehicles to traverse through Manila’s flooded streets. Though we’re sure any of these vehicles are truly capable, we still suggest that you stay on the side of caution. Check out our Tips on how to cross a flooded street.

Now, on to the list…


1. Ford Ranger
Best-in-class wading depth (800-mm), one-way valve to keep water out of the air intake, electronics mounted on top of the engine. ‘Nuff said.


2. Land Rover Defender

The invincible, go-anywhere off-roader that’s in use by the British military among others. Finished the Rainforest Challenge multiple times in stock. Its reputation precedes it.


3. Hummer H1

Like the Land Rover Defender, but applied to the US army.


4. Mercedes G-Class

Gunther Holtorf is driving one around the world logging more than 800,000 kilometers and 200 countries in the process. Truly a world-tested car.


5. Jeep Wrangler

Trail-rated to take on the Rubicon (including its mighty rivers). It now comes in a CRDi package for added torque to take you out of trouble.


6. Toyota Fortuner

7-seater SUV based off the Toyota Hilux, which Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson proved is indestructible. And being a Toyota, you know it’s very practical.


7. Nissan Patrol

The same formula applied to the Pajero, only it’s a Nissan. Equally capable and robust. Now comes in both Super Safari and Royale (5th and 6th gen respectively) flavors.


8. Mitsubishi Pajero

Don’t be fooled by its luxurious appearance. The Pajero remains as one of the world’s truly capable flood-crossing vehicles with a wading depth of 700-mm—same as the Fortuner.


9. Porsche Cayenne

It’s worth more than a house, but a trick suspension allows for a ‘tall mode’ with a fording depth of nearly 600-mm.


10. Subaru Outback

More than 450-mm of wading depth. You don’t believe it? Check out the videos on YouTube.

31 comments:

  1. I read a newspaper article that also mentioned the Chevy Colorado & Trailblazer also having a wading depth of 800mm.

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  2. no Montero Sport? it looks like it's taller than the Fortuner

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    Replies
    1. Both vehicles are as common as Vios taxis, it's not exclusive anymore :P.

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    2. Montero has 500mm wading depth

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  3. trail blazer, land cruiser 200, montero sport/strada can ford floods deeper than the outback can

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  4. cayenne?outback? sana nagresearch kayo ng mas maigi? wala pang Land Cruisers?kahit yung FJcruiser man lang sana...this is BS....

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    Replies
    1. You mean include cars most Filipino car buyers wouldn't be able to buy anyway?

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    2. Might as well. 8 of the cars on this list are out of reach of most Filipino car buyers. But I was personally hoping for the lower-end price range, and it started off promising with the Ford Ranger at the top (supposedly). I doubt that the Ranger is better than the Defender, H1, and G-class if price is not a consideration.

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  5. Tanga talaga ang nagsulat nito. Trailblazers, Colorado's, LC's and Fj's dapat ang mga nangunguna.

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    Replies
    1. Hoy ung4s, go back to tsikot or kotse or AI, PEx or whatever jologs car forum you frequent, no need to be mean, mature adults post here.

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  6. i guess this shows carguide.ph is not reliable...

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  7. bobo naman ng guide na to!

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  8. We're more than happy to find out your 10 Best flood capable vehicles. Just enter your name and list them here. Best answers will come out in a future story.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe a sub-2 million peso list? :) The options would be quite limited I think (pick-ups, pick-up based SUV's), so it would be nice to see how the compact SUV's rank against them, since for most of us, this vehicle would be a family car as well. :)

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  9. Uly, you missed the most obvious one: the 2000 Ford Ranger Pinatubo Edition in bright yellow, the only locally-introduced vehicle with a stock roof-pillar mounted snorkel!

    Anyway, most of the buyers of these overpriced SUVs won't even dare cross a muddy dirt road for fear of getting scratches & dirt on their precious body undersides. :P

    - T.M. from the old site which recently sold-out to the Inquirer LOL ;).

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    Replies
    1. Sold-out to Inquirer...love that new handle of yours.

      Now you know why the split :-)

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    2. Was that really the reason Uly? The merger with the Inquirer happened only last month, but the problems with our old hangout has been going on since the botched site redesign almost 2-3(?) years ago. Can you tell us if you know when the Inquirer started asking if the old site can be merged with the Inq's motoring section? Their motoring section every Wednesday is also full of sellouts just like all the other print reviewers, no one dares criticize any car because they won't get any test-drives anymore next time.

      -T.M. from the old site

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  10. guide for the rich ata to. LOL

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  11. So if the Ford Ranger has that 800 mm wading capability, would it be that the Mazda BT-50 has that capability also?

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    Replies
    1. It should be. they have the same chasis and obviously, powertrain

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  12. 750mm ang wading depth po ng current Ford Everest baket nde nasama?
    http://www.um.co.za/specifications/ford_everest_3_0_tdci_ltd_4x4_at_(2009).aspx

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  13. What about everyday vehicles that are reasonably affordable to the rest of us mortals? Most of the vehicles mentioned cost a limb or two and as mentioned, those who can afford them won't exactly traverse any flood with them. Any everyday vehicle affordable to juan dela cruz that can wade through deep floods aside from the hulking ford ranger and fortuner(have fun parking them at the mall when you're not traversing flood waters.)? Suzuki Jimny maybe or any of the similar SUV's below PHP2M maybe?

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  14. Eh mas marunong pa kau sa car guide eh ung nga ung pang flood na sasakyan eh palibhasa kc hnd nisali ang gusto nilang sasakyan tumitirik sa baha hahahaha

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  15. Mr. Ang perhaps you can update this list every year or categorize it according to price level or perhaps "flood-level"?

    We all know the Defender and the G-Class can ford rivers but they're out of reach for most of us. Floods are a major concern especially when buying cars nowadays given our faulty infrastructure, so a handy guide could help.

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    Replies
    1. Korek. Updating SUV list with wading capabilities could help buyers search their preferences based on their budget.

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  16. Chevy Colorado is capable of water wading at a depth of 880mm, Ano ba criteria dito Best in manila floods or kung anong sasakyan ang gamit mo Mr. Ang, sa mga mag rereply sorry pero d ko na mababasa since d na ko bibisita sa piece of a shit na site na to hahaha

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  17. Just passed by a flooded area almost knee high for about 200meters long road.. I survived!!! I am driving a KIA CARNIVAL 2015 ... steady 25kph all the way without slowing...

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  18. Great list of cars for floods in Manila! Most cars have different variations when it comes to its capacity, size or even its style. Bigger cars are ideal for flash floods in Manila. However, it is also important to look into the car's condition to avoid hassle in the middle of the road. Best Car with good condition is a great combination when driving on the road during the rainy season.

    Because of this, I would like to share our blog regarding Surviving Manila's Rainy Season like a Pro that gives tips to motorists when rainy season occurs. You might want to check and let me know what you think.

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