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Showing posts with label Driver's Seat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Driver's Seat. Show all posts

November 10, 2026

Review: 2026 BYD Tang DM-i


There’s always a joke (concern) that the higher you go up the BYD product range, the less it becomes enticing. While BYDs priced below P 2-million are great value like the Seagull and the Sealion 6, those north of P 2-million like the Seal and Sealion 7 are decidedly less so. The eMax 9 notwithstanding (I’ve yet to drive it), the Tang DM-i sits squarely in the middle of being both great and mediocre at the same time; a perfect representation of its P 2.148-million price tag then.

November 3, 2026

Review: 2027 Kia EV3 GL


“Battery Electric Vehicle” and “Affordable,” aren’t muttered in the same sentence, typically; unless we talk about the countless lookalike, and quite frankly, drivealike Chinese EV drivel in the marketplace today. That’s all changed with the arrival of the Kia EV3. Now, here comes an offering from a brand with a long and storied history, backed up by a damn-good driving experience that feels twice its asking price. Best of all, it still doesn’t break the bank.

October 30, 2026

The P 1.698M S08 i-DM Proves Jetour Knows What It's Doing


When Jetour first came to the Philippines, I wasn’t impressed with the cars. The first few models were bland and unremarkable, but little by little the Chinese automaker introduced newer models that had much better quality, pricing, and actually had personality. We’ve seen the likes of the Jetour T2 and T1 become top sellers in the market, propelling Jetour from nothing to something.

Right On Q: Audi's Hybrid Q3 And Q5 Serve Up The Right Stuff


Audi Philippines just launched its newest Q models a few months ago; this was a monumental occasion for them, as it marked the next-generation entry of the Q3 and Q5 nameplates. These Q5 models are built on Audi’s newest architecture, called the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which is an evolution of the older platforms but now houses upgrades to the overall base and allows Audi to use it further for hybrid powertrains.

Manila To Clark On P 100 Of Gas? The GWM Haval H7 Does That Without Really Trying


I’m not really a fan of doing eco runs because they don’t necessarily represent real-world driving conditions and habits. However, in the interest of expanding my understanding of new energy vehicles, I was excited to be invited to GWM's Go 1,000 More media drive featuring its newest car, the H7.

October 28, 2026

The 2026 Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid Is The Segment's Underdog And It Deserves Your Attention


The return of the Kia Sportage to the Philippine market was a monumental step for the brand locally; it meant that it was returning to compete in the segment dominated by the RAV4 and CR-V. While the Sportage has a relatively strong local following, it failed to oust the top sellers, which led to its first demise.

October 27, 2026

Review: 2026 GAC Aion V Premium


Everyone and their grandmother wants a piece of that sub-P 1.7-million electrified compact crossover segment; a segment which has, for all intents and purposes, replaced the pickup-based passenger vehicle, as the default family car of choice among many Filipinos. And thanks to the deluge of Chinese offerings out there, it’s also the most competitive. This is the segment where the GAC Aion V finds itself in, and, for the most part, stands out in.

October 21, 2026

Suzuki Goes Beyond Its Small Car Expertise With The e Vitara


Small car expert—that’s what people all over the world have called Suzuki because they make small cars that are memorable to drive. Remember the aptly named Swift? The very efficient Celerio? Or their current entry-level S-Presso? These cars are the reason why I was expecting a small car to be their first EV. Earlier this year, it was revealed to be something bigger.

The GWM Haval H7 Is Efficient And Capable, But Still Comes Up Short


One model I’ve been excited to try all year was GWM's newest model, the H7 HEV and PHEV. Early this year, I was able to sample it in Baoding, China, at GWM’s proving grounds, where, at the time, it impressed me with what it had to offer. Fast forward to now, and the H7 has been in the market for a few months already, with me seeing a few ply our streets.

October 18, 2026

Review: 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ VX


As I write this review, fuel prices are hovering precariously close to P 100 per liter. Taking that into account, the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ isn’t the most practical choice. With a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder under that chunky hood, you don’t need an expert to tell you that it’ll guzzle gas like a motoring journalist at an open bar. Putting its appetite for gasoline aside, I actually like the Land Cruiser FJ; and coming from someone who doesn’t rate frame-based SUVs highly, that’s saying a lot.

October 14, 2026

Is The Mitsubishi Montero Sport Tried Or Tired And Tested?


Most people would think that the current-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport is much older than its competitors, but the truth is that it’s just as old as the Toyota Fortuner. Both models have been in the market for more than a decade, with both models receiving updates throughout the years.

Review: 2026 Toyota Urban Cruiser BEV GLX 2WD


Ah, the Toyota Urban Cruiser. It’s a car that’s been the subject of my scrutiny and even ridicule as early as its first drive experience last March for two reasons. One, because it’s not great value for money by any measure and two, because it’s mediocre by every measure when just about everyone else is coming up with “okay” cars. You think it’d have enough already until I was given the keys to one for an entire week. Oh, boy.

Can The Lynk & Co 900 Upend The Luxury SUV Segment?


Luxury automotive products are defined in different ways because of people’s perceptions of them. Luxury is subjective and depends on the way the beholder sees it, but most new luxury automotive brands find a way to redefine what modern premium cars should offer and feel like. Lynk & Co Philippines is now part of the Geely Philippines stewardship under the “One Geely” policy. Eager to revive interest in Lynk and Co, the new management felt it was time to show the Philippine market what it’s capable of by launching its flagship SUV model.

October 6, 2026

The 2026 Mitsubishi Triton GLS Is The Refined Utilitarian


The Mitsubishi Triton is one of Mitsubishi’s most important models. While the Xpander and Mirage carry the burden of being the top sales drivers, the Triton has the tougher job of also trying to win sales while exuding Mitsubishi’s rugged philosophy. The Triton itself has been in the market for a while now, but 2026 saw the introduction of refreshed models that the automaker hopes will keep it in contention in the tough segment.

Review: 2026 Toyota RAV4 HEV ADV


Stop the presses: I think I might have found my 2026 Top Pick. As a refresher, since 2011, at the end of each year, I come up with my annual Top 5 Picks—the best cars I’ve driven for the year that fulfills one simple criterion: it’s a list of cars I’d spend my own money on. Although there’s still two months left before 2027, among the 39 vehicles I’ve sampled so far, it’s safe to say, my pick of the bunch so far is the all-new Toyota RAV4.

September 30, 2026

The GWM Haval H9 Lux 4x4 Mixes Old School Off-Roader Formula With Modern Civility


Great Wall Motors (GWM) has been in the Philippines for quite some time now; it’s mostly flown under the radar and has managed to coexist (and survive) in the very cutthroat local industry. The fact is, the previous-generation GWM models have largely been “unremarkable” apart from the quirky Ora EV and the imposing Tank SUVs.

September 25, 2026

The All-New 2027 CX-5 Is The Every Man's Mazda


When car people think of Mazda, they think of the MX-5 Miata. Granted they’re correct in emphasizing the importance of the roadster to the carmaker’s image, it’s the CX-5 that’s important to its bottom line. As its best-selling model globally, it’s a product it simply cannot afford to screw up. At the same time, there’s added pressure to draw a bigger audience, perhaps those who haven’t been indoctrinated into the cult of zoom-zoom. The result is the most mainstream CX-5 yet. Take that description as you see fit, but ultimately there’s no denying that this is the “every man’s Mazda.”

September 22, 2026

What, Us Worry? We Drove 700 Kilometers On The Nissan X-Trail And Kicks Without Refueling


After a string of challenges on the global front, Nissan appears to be getting some slack. Its financial standing has shown signs of improvement, although the company is not entirely out of the woods yet. Here in the Philippines, they’ve embarked on their comeback arc as newcomers are climbing on rankings and bringing in more offerings.

September 20, 2026

Review: 2026 Denza B5


Without meaning to, Denza is the litmus test of whether Filipinos are ready to embrace Chinese luxury vehicles. Before its entrance into the local market, Chinese cars often use the word, “premium” to describe themselves, but almost never the word, “luxury.” Calling something luxurious comes with much higher standards and expectations. At the same time, it means going against brands with strong heritage and panache such as BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. The question beckons: does the Denza B5 hit the right mark or does it fall short of its lofty goals?

September 16, 2026

A Decade On, Where Does The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 Stand?


The Mitsubishi Mirage has been around for more than a decade; this generation’s longevity stands as a testament to being able to create a simple car recipe that can survive the ever-changing automotive landscape. However, times have certainly shifted, and the fact that the Mirage remains basically the same car might now expose its weaknesses.