December 23, 2022

Araneta To NAIA Bus Service Announces 2022 Christmas Schedule


Heads-up, holiday travelers. If you’re heading to the airport from the Cubao area, you can have the convenience of the Ube Express P2P Bus service. Leaving from the Araneta City Bus Port, they’ve adjusted their schedule of operations in line with the busy season.

December 22, 2022

Hyundai Ioniq Is 2022-2023 Japan Import Car Of The Year


The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has added another trophy to its cabinet: the 2022-2023 Japan Import Car of the Year. A finalist for the main 2022-2023 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award, this marks the first time a Korean automaker has won the title.

Kia Bids Stinger GT Goodbye With Limited-Edition Tribute Edition


Kia is bidding goodbye to its high-performance Stinger GT with the Stinger Tribute Edition. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, the Tribute Edition celebrates the sports sedan’s contribution to the brand since its introduction in 2017.

December 21, 2022

SMC Says Brace Yourselves For Peak Traffic On Tollways, Announces "Toll Holiday" Sked


With holiday traffic expected to peak this week, SMC Infrastructure is advising motorists to plan their trips ahead to avoid lengthy delays and get to their destination safely.

7 Ways You Can Save Gas And Beat The Christmas Traffic


Christmas should be fun for everyone, but when EDSA feels like a giant parking lot on a Friday night in December, it’s hard to muster any kind of holiday cheer. With traffic congestion approaching pre-pandemic levels, this year is expected to be daily Carmageddon in December, as malls extend their working hours to accommodate the Christmas rush.

Modern Jeepneys Found To Be Up To 40 Percent More Efficient Than Traditional Jeepneys


The Fuso Canter Express Modern PUV (Class 3) achieved 8.8 km/L as certified by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) during its fuel eco-run challenge. This means operators stand to save up to P 6.3 per kilometer compared to traditional jeepneys and their 5.2 km/L average fuel consumption.

Team Philippines Named One Of The Best At Isuzu World Technical Competition


Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) has once again proven the excellent quality of its aftersales and service program as its team wins 2nd place in Commercial Vehicles (CV) Division and 3rd place in Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) Division in the recently concluded 17th Isuzu World Technical Competition, also dubbed as the annual “I-1 Grand Prix” (I-1 GP). With the collective efforts and hard work of both IPC Aftersales team and Isuzu Dealers, Isuzu Philippines was able to prevail in the Top 5 of both divisions for 10 years now, bringing home two (2) Champion titles way back in 2015 and 2018.

December 20, 2022

Hyundai Overtakes Kia In November 2022 Sales


According to the joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), new vehicle sales have reached 35,037 units in November—a 32.4 percent growth compared to the same period (26,456 units) a year ago.

This D-Max Has Proven Isuzu's Durability By Clocking In An Insane Amount Of Kilometers


Isuzu in the United Kingdom went on a mission to find the highest mileage D-Max in the country. Their search cumulated with a vehicle that has recorded an astounding 351,364 miles (565,465 kilometers) on the odometer, all without any major repair or incident.

Unioil Opens 100th Service Station


Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc. (UPPI) one of the leading local petroleum companies, has recently opened its 100th station in Lancaster, Imus City, Cavite.

BMW Philippines To Launch 4 EVs, At Least 4 New Models In 2023


SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation (SMAC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines is set to have a very busy 2023 with the launch of all-new models. This was announced by its president, Spencer Yu, during their annual media thanksgiving party.

Hyundai Shows Off 2024 Kona And It Looks Glorious


Hyundai is capping off 2022 in peak form by releasing the first photos of its all-new 2024 Kona compact crossover. And yes, it’s quite the looker.

December 18, 2022

Nissan Lights Up Ormoc Christmas Tree Using The LEAF EV


Nissan Philippines visited the City of Ormoc to participate in the community’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, bringing joy and hope to Ormocanons while advocating sustainable mobility with the 100 percent electric Nissan Leaf. The Leaf powered up the city’s 50-foot Christmas tree through the EV’s V2X technology that allows the Leaf to act as a power generator.

December 16, 2022

All You Need To Know About Using Your Easytrip RFID On SLEX, STAR Tollway, And More


When Autosweep (the Electronic Toll Collection system run by San Miguel Corporation) announced that its interoperability with Easytrip (the Electronic Toll Collection system run by the Metro Pacific Tollways) will start on January 15, 2023 there was a collective sigh of FUCKING FINALLY.

Thanks To Honda SENSING, The All-New BR-V Provides The Calm In Holiday Traffic


With the holidays in full swing, it could only mean one thing: traffic carmageddon. Driving in stop-and-go traffic for hours on end can take its toll leading to stress, and worse still, avoidable traffic accidents and crashes.

Final Lexus Car Maintenance Weekend In 2022 Happening Until December 17


Lexus owners need not look far to have their prized vehicles cared for by trained technicians and service personnel. Periodic Maintenance Service (PMS) and repairs are best done by Lexus’ trained technicians. Because of this, Lexus accredited Dealerships in the Philippines at strategic locations that are easily accessible. In the spirit of Omotenashi—or Lexus’ unique brand of Japanese hospitality—select Toyota dealerships have been accredited by Lexus to care for the needs of Lexus customers nationwide.

Beep Cards Can Now Be Reloaded At M Lhuillier Branches


Beep cardholders may now reload their cards in M Lhuillier branches, as M Lhuillier Financial Services, Inc. marked its strategic partnership with AF Payments Inc. to provide more convenience to its growing customers.

Bosch PH Launches "Care For Life" CSR


Bosch Automotive Aftermarket (AA) partners with Teach For The Philippines (TFP) to support the development of education skills necessary for children in the Philippines basic literacy, numeracy and socioemotional skills with their #CareforEducation campaign. The campaign addresses the challenges of providing education at a system-level to children within poverty communities and the less fortunate in the Philippines.

Volvo XC40 Gives Equal Protection To Front And Rear Passengers Based On New Safety Test


In more automotive safety-related news, only two compact SUV managed to score a “Good” rating in the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s revised moderate overlap test: the Ford Escape (built after May) and the Volvo XC40 (lead photo). Only the XC40—introduced in 2017—passed the stricter requirements without major structural changes.

December 15, 2022

Peugeot Is Philippines' Fastest Growing Auto Brand In 2022


Peugeot earns the reputation of being the fastest growing automotive brand in the Philippines thanks to strong year-over-year sales growth and successive dealer openings since its re-launch in January under its new distributor, Astara.

Isuzu D-MAX Scores 3 Category Wins At 2022 Philippine Rallycross Series


The Isuzu D-Max has once again proven its dominance in the dirt time trial racing competition as it conquers three vehicle classes in the 2022 Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX).

Hyundai PH Announces 2023 Ioniq 5 EV Variants, Pricing. Starts At P 3.068M


Ahead of its official Philippine launch in early 2023, Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) has announced the prices of its award-winning EV: the Ioniq 5 EV.

Toyota Shows Off Hilux EV, Next-Generation IMV Platform


Toyota has just revealed the future of the Hilux and the entire IMV platform, for that matter, with the reveal of the IMV 0 Concept and its first-ever battery-electric pickup truck, the Hilux Revo BEV Concept.

Here Are The Full Specs, Prices Of The 2023 MG GT (w/ Specs)


Inflation’s hitting car buyers pretty hard these days. If you try to think of a sporty sedan priced below P 1.1-million, your mind will probably end up blank. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case because here comes the newest member of the MG Philippines family: the 2023 MG GT and it come with a price capped off at just P 1,193,888.

December 14, 2022

Top 5 Picks For 2022


With 42 entries spanning everything from sub-compacts to luxury SUVs, it’s time to our Top 5 Cars of 2022.

As usual, our Top 5 Picks is done differently (see the past winners here: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011). Instead of categorizing cars to try to make everyone a winner, we lump them together to get the five cars that we thought were outstanding.

Our methods are simple. First, we should have driven it extensively and on the roads that we’re familiar with. This means no around the block test drives (including track days), no “first drives”, no junkets. Second, it should be fairly mainstream. For that, the list is capped with a maximum MSRP of P 4 million. Finally, it’s something we’d be willing to spend our own money own, and we’re willing to be caught dead in.

With that out of the way, here’s our Top 5 Picks of 2022:


#5. Subaru WRX

Still our go-to for a well-rounded, yet relatively affordable sports sedan, the all-new Subaru WRX is still hard to beat. The combination of a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive means it can serve up the fun. This time, though, it won’t be trying to shake your fillings out half the time as the much-fangled Subaru Global Platform’s much more, gasp, refined. The WRX STI is gone, but at least you get much higher equipment levels—including more safety gear and even optional adaptive dampers. In short, it’s a WRX that’s equally capable of taking on the daily commute as it is a slick, mountain road. Sadly, no amount of suede or Alcantara could change the fact that it looks ugly as sin.

Read our review.


#4. Toyota Corolla Cross

Though fuel prices have softened of late, it did manage to bring hybrids and EVs into mainstream conversation. And among the growing list of hybrids out there, the Toyota Corolla Cross, we find, is the most well-rounded. The styling looks like it was designed by accountants during their lunchbreak, but at least it’s darn economical. We consistently did 20 km/L without breaking a sweat—something we couldn’t do with a “gas-charged, electric-driven crossover.” Fuel sipping abilities aside, the rest of the package is solid—pliant ride, secure handling, roomy interior, and decent (for a Toyota) specs. An added bonus is that there’s a GR Sport version, but a forewarning: the added spice does little to uplift the bland driving flavor.

Read our review.


#3. Toyota Raize

When Toyota decided to enter the sub-compact SUV genre, everyone knew they’d be a force to be reckoned with. Some may say “it’s just a Daihatsu,” but who the fuck cares? The resulting Toyota Raize is a well-engineered and well-thought-out car. Dynamically, it’s got surprisingly good NVH, precise steering, and a punchy engine (well, at least for the turbo). Naturally, for its price, you can’t expect plush materials (and yeah, everything’s rock hard), but at least build quality is pretty decent. Add styling that’s angular as opposed to jellybean-like, solid levels of safety (it got a 5-star rating at the ASEAN NCAP), usable packaging, and of course, Toyota’s promise of painless ownership means the Raize ticks all the right boxes.

Read our review: Raize 1.2 G, Raize 1.0 Turbo.


#2. Mazda CX-5 Turbo

Subaru turned their back on the fun-loving family man with the death of the Forester XT, so its mantle was taken over by a certain little carmaker from Hiroshima: Mazda. Realizing an unfulfilled gap in the compact SUV segment, the CX-5 Turbo is the choice for everyday thrills with its 253-horsepower, 434 Nm turbocharged engine. Beyond serving up straight line thrills, its revamped chassis sharpens up the handling while also upping the overall refinement and equipment levels. An added bonus is that it’s much more economical than any past Forester XT too. It’s also a constant reminder that, despite its age, the CX-5 still is the one of the best, if not the best compact SUV out there. This new turbocharged variant though enables them to raise the middle finger against mediocrity.

Read our review: CX-5 Turbo.


#1. Honda Civic

You can’t go wrong with the Honda Civic, and the all-new 11th generation model is no different. Despite the so-called “odd-numbered” Civic curse, this one is a winner. We’ve driven all of its variants (S Turbo, V Turbo, RS Turbo), and we’d have to conclude that Honda’s turned in some Dean’s Lister caliber work. In the face of an impending crossover/SUV invasion, including its very own stablemate, the HR-V, the Civic proves it still serves up an unbeatable formula. It’s not perfect (the S Turbo, in particular has a cheap-feeling interior), but overall, it balances wants and need perfectly with class-above space, tight handling, punchy yet fuel efficient engine, and cutting-edge driver assist system. You can’t ask for more in a daily driver. Our top pick goes to the top-of-the-line Civic RS Turbo, but the V Turbo is still pretty solid—it offers 80 percent of the experience for less than P 1.5-million.

Triumph Motorcycles Opens In BGC


The Autohub Group of Companies announces the opening of Triumph Motorcycles in Bonifacio Global City.

In The Race Towards Sustainability, Flax-Based Composites Replace Carbon Fiber


With motorsports pressured to become more sustainable, flax-based fiber composites will now appear in Japan’s premiere single-seater racing series: Super Formula.

Moto Accessories, VKool Tints Now Available At BGC


Moto Autohub Car Care Services (ACCS) and VKool is now open at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. Located at the second floor of Mini BGC, the shop offers motorcycle-related accessories, gear, tint, and aftersales services.

2024 Mazda CX-90 Confirmed To Get Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain


Ahead of its world premiere next month, Mazda has shown yet another teaser photo of its new flagship SUV: the 2024 CX-90.

December 13, 2022

MINI Opens Largest PH Showroom In BGC


Mini Philippines opens its largest showroom in the country at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. It is the only Mini dealership in Metro Manila equipped with aftersales services, lifestyle and lounge areas, and future-ready facilities.

2023 Kia EV6 Awarded As Top Safety Pick+


The 2023 Kia EV6 has been awarded the U.S.-based 2022 Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Hyundai PH's Road To 45 Starts With Roxas City Dealership


Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH)’s road to 45 dealerships by the end of 2023 starts with the very-first dealership inaugurated under its watch: Hyundai Roxas.

December 12, 2022

Refreshed Suzuki Swift, S-Presso Garner One-Star Safety Ratings


The refreshed Suzuki Swift and the revised S-Presso both garnered a one-star safety rating during its Global New Car Assessment or Global NCAP test.

Your Full List Of Toyota Motor PH's Christmas Offers


It’s finally the much-awaited month of the holiday season! With celebrations just around the corner, December is the perfect time to give oneself and the whole family the gift of mobility. This month, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is spreading Christmas cheer by offering exciting deals and promotions for its wide range of vehicles.

December 11, 2022

Get P100K Discount On The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 1.6T This Christmas Season


In time for Chery Auto Philippines’ third anniversary, they’re giving their best deal yet on their mid-sized Tiggo 8 Pro until the end of the year.

Of Fake Finger Nails And Knees: Lexus Goes Beyond The Interior Design Norm


Lexus is going beyond engineering cars with a fake manual gearbox to make things interesting for its rivers. In the course of designing their cars, it’s been revealed that they’ve been using fake nails and fake knees as well.

20th Anniversary Mazda6 Is First Mazda To Get Artisan Red


After revealing their all-new Artisan Red premium color last month, Mazda has revealed what the new shade will look like in a production vehicle. The first vehicle to receive the new “Takuminuri Color” is this 20th Anniversary Edition 2023 Mazda6.

Isuzu Philippines Appoints New President


Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) announces change in leadership beginning 2023, with the appointment of Tetsuya Fujita as its new president.

Mitsubishi Exports Its 5-Millionth Vehicle From Thailand


Mitsubishi Motors has exported over five million vehicles from its Thailand manufacturing plant in Laem Chabang, Chonburi Province.

December 9, 2022

Isuzu PH Completes Unit Turnover To Shopee Philippines


Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), together with Isuzu Pasig under Isuzu Automotive Dealership, Inc. (IADI), turned over the second batch of Isuzu NMR85H Aluminum Vans to Shopee Xpress Philippines Inc. (SPX). The first batch was turned over starting last July 2021.