The almost back-to-back arrivals of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross and 2021 Ford Territory have re-ignited the compact crossover segment. Once a niche market cornered by the Honda HR-V and Subaru XV, it’s now getting crowded with at least half a dozen choices out there.

Chinese cars have gone a long way. From being cheap knockoffs a decade or so ago, thanks to deep pockets, they’ve now managed to incorporate design and technology to match with the best of the world. Of course, their prices have also gone up slightly, representing the wealth of features that they’ve begun to offer.

With the Seltos, Kia Philippines thinks they have one of the hottest rides around and who could blame them? The sub-compact crossover segment is absolutely lit with choices and everyone, and we mean everyone wants a piece of the action—including Chinese brands you probably haven’t even heard of.

Forget crossovers, SUVs, and pickups for a minute—there’s a compact car war brewing resulting in a wider, more competitive range of choices. Starting with the arrival of the refreshed Civic early this year, the battlefield is now joined by two other compact car stalwarts: the 2020 Mazda3 and 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis. All these tables are high-res, so feel free to download them (please, no cropping of the watermark though...we know who does this).

There is no greater cynic than a Honda Civic fanboy. Whether that has to do with the cult following of the 1990s Civic SiR, or because they happen to be better keyboard warriors is a debate best left for another day, but the fact of the matter is: they’ll defend their beloved compact, maybe to the death.

When SsangYong unveiled its 7-seater Rexton SUV, interestingly enough they dedicated one slide to its market positioning. With the mid-sized 7-seater SUV segment proving to be the market shaper in the local scene, the Korean automaker opted to compete in segments that represent the biggest bulk of sales. Third largest or 16 percent of sales belong to SUVs priced between P 2 to P 2.250 million, and this is where the top-dog Rexton, the 4x4 finds itself in.

It’s a rare treat to be able to drive two vehicles of the same class for a classic head-to-head comparo. Thanks to the popularity of mid-sized SUVs, the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 both are leftfield choices for buyers who prefer comfort and refinement above all else. With both of these choices equipped with a diesel powertrain and all-wheel drive, can Honda, the childhood favorite successfully take on Mazda, one of the segment’s best? Read on.

The 2019 Santa Fe is nothing short of a revelation—one that proves that Hyundai has the goods to go up market. You can read our First Impressions, or if you’re interested, you can scroll down and see how it measures up against four of its chief rivals: the Ford Explorer, the Mazda CX-9, and the Kia Sorento. We even threw in a curve ball and included the similarly-priced Subaru Outback.

It is given: mid-sized 7-seater SUVs is now this generation’s family car. Aside from a seating configuration that allows the entire caboodle to hit the shopping mall in style, they’re tall (flood-proof), durable, and most importantly, powered by a frugal (ish) diesel engine. Naturally, not one SUV could have everything. This suddenly puts into focus the buyer’s priorities: does he want something practical, but dull or is he will to sacrifice a bit of that practicality for a dash of sportiness?

The small SUV segment is heating up with the arrival of the much-awaited Toyota Rush SUV. Priced competitively and speced well, it’ll go against the likes of the yet-to-be-released-to-customers Mitsubishi Xpander and the current de facto choice, the Honda BR-V. Naturally, we just had to see which one reigns supreme.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. certainly sprung a surprise at MIAS when they decided to launch the Kona sub-compact crossover for the Philippine market. While some people are understandably upset that the Creta is MIA, the Kona is still a much-needed boost to HARI’s SUV offering in the country.

The Nissan Mobility Tour is all about giving the chance to would-be buyers to experience first-hand what Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) is all about. Through a series of obstacles, features such as Around View Monitor and Intelligent 4x4 are put to the test.

Often overlooked though is that through these series of events, Nissan also wants to educate Filipino car buyers on the advantages of owning one of their vehicles. And so, we decide to put their math to the test and see if owning a Nissan is indeed a value-for-money aspect. For this particular example, we’ve decided to go straight into the deep end and pit the Nissan Patrol Royale versus the Toyota Land Cruiser LC200 Premium.


Spec-to-spec, not much separates these two politicians’ choice. On one hand, the Land Cruiser has the upper hand in terms of torque (a tree-pulling 615 Nm) while the Patrol Royale easily has 40 percent more horsepower (400). Both of these “katas ng pork barrel” also offer standard seating for 8, above 90 liters of fuel tank capacity, and vented disc brakes on all four corners—in case protesters decide to jump in front of your speeding convoy.

Dimensionally though, the Patrol Royale does have the advantage in packaging. It’s slightly shorter, but wider and taller than the Land Cruiser. It also has a bigger wheelbase and higher ground clearance (272 mm versus 225 mm) making peons look even smaller from the window.

Getting into the mechanicals, both the Nissan and Toyota offer hydraulically adjustable stabilizers (Nissan calls it Hydraulic Body Motion Control while Toyota calls it Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), although the Patrol Royale does have the advantage of having independent suspension all-around to the Land Cruiser’s rear 4-link with coil springs.

Nissan’s advantage also extends to the creature comfort features. With the exception of ventilated power adjustable front seats and an additional rear aircon zone, it has the advantage over the Toyota from the generous infotainment system with 13-speaker Bose sound system to even front and rear proximity sensors with a 360-degree camera (the Land Cruiser, shockingly, has no camera whatsoever).

Now, here’s the most surprising part: despite the increased thirst of its 5.6-liter V8 engine gasoline engine, the Patrol Royale actually ends up with a lower ownership cost up to 100,000 kilometers.


Going through Nissan and Toyota’s Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) menu, the Toyota Land Cruiser does have lower servicing cost. Factor in better fuel mileage and lower fuel cost, its running cost 52.8 percent lower than the Patrol Royale.

So where does the Patrol Royale gain ground? Simple: lower purchase price. Thanks to the effects of TRAIN, the Patrol Royale has a close to P 1 million (P 900,100) price advantage over the Land Cruiser, and this goes a long way in helping the Nissan recoup its more expensive fuel and servicing cost. In fact, over a period of 100,000 kilometers, it’s ownership cost per kilometer is P 51.63 compared to Toyota’s P 53.16.

Find out more about Nissan’s aftersales program at the final leg of the Nissan Mobility Tour. It’s happening on March 23-25, 2018 at SM City Davao.

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has just released their much-awaited Xpander MPV. Dubbed as the next-generation MPV, the Xpander combines the best attributes of a compact MPV with the design cues of a compact SUV.

The first impression you get when you hear the word, “diesel” is that it’s easy on the pocket. True enough, if fuel economy and pump price are your only ownership considerations, then yes, that belief is true. However, car ownership is more than just squeezing out more kilometers per liter; it’s about the purchase price and routine maintenance cost as well. This is where gasoline engined vehicles tend to find an advantage. Putting this to the test, it’s time to see whether or not going diesel or going gas will save you more money in the long run.

Ford says that the first-ever Ranger Raptor is unlike any performance truck the world has seen. Inspired by the grueling world of Baja desert racing, it’s not meant to just go over obstacles, but actually jump over them as well. Of course, one doesn’t have to look far to see that Chevrolet’s actually built their own hardcore version of the Colorado. Dubbed the ZR2, it’s a US-only model for now. But what happens if they do meet face-to-face on Manila streets? Well, this tale of the tape will tell.

The sub-compact car has become the new default family ride. Those who have a million and a half to spare can still go for mid-sized 7-seater SUVs, but the reality is, upwardly mobile Filipinos who once dreamed of owning a Civic or Mazda3 have to settle for their smaller kin. Still, carmakers seem to understand that while these buyers are willing to sacrifice a bit in terms of purchase price, they’re still willing to shell out for great convenience and tech features.

Objectively, Honda created the sub-compact crossover segment in the Philippines back in 1999. At first, buyers didn’t warm up to something smaller than a compact crossover, but fast forward to today and they’re considered vogue. They’re a foil to the diesel-powered SUVs, providing more style, driving fun, and urban maneuverability while still giving that added ground clearance that people crave nowadays. More than anything, they’re now seen as the compact sedan’s more fashionable alternative. And while you can buy a Honda Civic or Mazda3 for this sort of money, one can argue that going for either HR-V and the CX-3 is a visible sign that you’ve finally made it. The question is: which one is the fashion leader and which is the fashion follower?

When SsangYong launched the Tivoli, the Korean carmaker boldly predicted that buyers will flock to their new crossover from the perennial segment favorite, the Ford EcoSport. A year on, this hasn’t gone to plan as the EcoSport continues to protect its turf while managing to increase its sales in the process. The question beckons: has SsangYong simply bitten more than it can chew? Will the Tivoli be relegated to being kicked to the curb in this sub-compact crossover turf war?

Having high levels of horsepower is something most people crave for, but there’s also something deeply satisfying with a well-balanced sports car. By perfectly dialing in not just the engine output, but the steering, chassis, and brakes as well, they become more of good dance partners, following your lead without trying to overwhelm you at every corner.

Executive sedans were once considered the de facto upgrade for those looking at something more luxurious and sophisticated than a compact car. However, with the proliferation of other choices out there, not to mention the increased specs of the compact cars they’re meant to upgrade from, the executive sedan segment is dying. Today, opting for one of these Japanese mid-sized sedans likely means you’re looking for something chauffeur-driven or something cushy after a long day’s work in the board room.

Be that as it may, there are two executive sedans that don’t fit this norm. Though they’re pretty good sampled as a passenger, they’re best savored from the driver’s seat. These are the 2016 Honda Accord and the Mazda6. The Accord has long been the standard when it comes to sporty mid-sized sedans. Throughout the years, it has always produced a sportier flavor, but still managing to balance fun and comfort. But there’s a new challenger out there, hungry for its throne. Known as the Mazda6, it’s now imbued with style, power, and poise. The question is: can it finally beat the Accord in a head-to-head brawl? Well, it’s time to fire the driver and find out.




Exterior

In their current guise, neither the Honda Accord nor the Mazda6 could be considered as new. Both have been around for a while, with the KODO-fied Mazda being the first to appear in showroom floors in 2013 while the Honda arriving about a year later. Of course, it’s a given that both of these cars have seen substantial tweaks to modernize its styling.

First up is the Mazda6—a car that Mazda designers believe they have struck gold with. Apparently, the design is working (and aging) well that updates were brought in just to unify its look with the rest of the Mazda line-up. Some are arguing though that the designs coming out of Hiroshima are starting to look the same, and rightfully so; but there’s no arguing that it still looks great. It’s especially true with the Mazda6 which happens to look athletic and graceful. In fact, the subtle elements such as the headlights, bumpers, and grille have managed to make it look wider than the Accord—a feat considering it’s actually 10 millimeters narrower than the Honda.

Honda has pretty much done the same thing with the Accord, though this time, it’s not for trying to create a unified look across the product range. Sure, there are elements like the Solid Wing face, but the tweaks have been done to actually clean up the aesthetic mess that the Accord once was. And boy, did Honda get it right this time. The cleaned up look makes the Accord look more regal and believable as an executive sedan than a body racer trying to grow up. That said, there’s still something off with the way it looks. There are lots of needless gashes and lines sprinkled around. It also looks top-heavy, emphasized further by its smallish 17-inch alloy wheels.

Winner: Mazda6





Interior

As captains of industry serving as its primary market, both of these cars have refined interiors that easily justify their price tags. Yet, they’ve also been re-worked, answering to criticisms that they’re offering an experience that too close to that of their small compact sedan siblings.

This year, Honda has swapped certain interior trims to make the Accord look and feel more modern. The faux wood accents have now been minimized; now only found as an insert on the steering wheel and dashboard. Piano black inserts with metallic flakes have taken its place elsewhere from the switch bezels, center console, and even the area surrounding the gear lever. It’s not as scratch-prone as the one found in the Mazda6, and that’s already a plus. The paneling aside, the biggest change here is the new infotainment system. It still uses a dual screen set-up but this new Android-based system is light years better than the old set-up. There’s still some lag to the response, but overall it’s not too bad. And speaking about the dual screen, the larger 8-inch screen is better utilized now and acts as a display for the Lane Watch blind spot, and rear parking camera. Things like navigation are displayed in the slightly smaller 7-inch touchscreen.

Next to the re-worked Accord, the Mazda6’s interior is less fussy and more driver-friendly. It actually feels more upgraded compared to when it first appeared in the market three years ago. Though both of these cars have their share of hard plastics, the Mazda at least has had all its touch points improved. Anything that could be touched or controlled now has soft-touch plastics on them and being matte, they never cause unwanted glare. The new interior palette: black and brown leather with small slithers of aluminum isn’t to everyone’s liking—some found it too muted and dreary—but there’s no doubt it imparts a more Teutonic than Japanese feel. The Mazda Connect with its rotary controller is also far easier to master than the Honda’s system and the response is way snappier. Perhaps the only thing Mazda needs to work on is a new instrument cluster. Though they’re legible, it doesn’t look too differentiated from a more pedestrian Mazda3.

Winner: TIE





Space and Practicality

For potential buyers, this is probably the first and only thing they’ll look at. After all, executive sedans should be as comfortable in the back seat as it is from the driver’s, right?

This is where the Accord makes big gains over the Mazda6. Remember that top-heavy design? Well, the squared-off roofline, upright pillars, and lack of a standard sunroof create better ingress/egress and headroom. Aside from having more room for headwear and funky hairdos, there’s also more available shoulder room—something very evident between the driver and front passenger. However, the high set dashboard and low set seats do compromise the driving position a bit. Despite the wide array of adjustments plus more usable legroom upfront, it rarely feels comfortable next to Mazda’s get in and go set-up. Towards the back, the Accord shines not only because it’s got cushier seats, but because you can actually fit three adults there with enough room to spare for another kid. And for those who find themselves regularly playing golf, the Honda does have a wider, deeper, and longer cargo space. It’s only limited by the single-piece folding rear seat. In this day and age, a 60/40 split-fold mechanism should be standard.

Meanwhile, there’s no question where Mazda put the center of attention in the Mazda6. Compared to the cavernous space offered by the Accord, the Mazda6 feels “just right”—a surprise given it’s dimensionally not far off from the Honda (the Mazda even has a longer wheelbase). It doesn’t feel spectacularly spacious, but it’s not cramped either. The front allows just enough space to stretch legs or spread them apart, but get too comfortable and the padded knee bolsters will get in the way. The other parts of the driving environment from the controls, the seats, the exterior visibility—they’ve been carefully calibrated towards becoming a sharp driving tool. With that, the rear seats are certainly a downer in the Mazda. Not only does the sweeping roofline cause banged heads upon entry or exit, but the seat support isn’t that good and the space isn’t as generous. In addition, the trunk space is limited. Though a split-folding mechanism does supplement it somewhat, the Mazda6 will find it hard to swallow a week’s worth of groceries or luggage for four adults.

Winner: Honda Accord





Performance and Fuel Economy

This is easily the meat of the matter: how does it perform? How does it handle? Which is more fuel efficient? Well, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you think ever since Mazda made the gutsy move to offer the Mazda6 sedan solely with a diesel engine. That’s right, with the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G moving exclusively to the Sports Wagon variant, this becomes an interesting case of Honda versus Mazda, diesel versus gasoline.

And like any gladiator match, there could only be one winner. In this case, it’s clearly the Mazda6. Some may decry that this match-up is a bit unfair, but consider the numbers: both have four cylinders, both have similar displacements, and both even offer 175 horsepower on tap. The big advantage of the Mazda is that it’s a diesel and as such, it has a Civic’s worth of more torque than the Accord. Lightning quick reactions in stoplight situations, locomotive-like acceleration, and power on demand are a given. But the Mazda6 is more than just a Soul Red-colored Road Runner. It’s also mighty quiet and smooth. It’s mighty efficient too—doing 10.20 km/L in the city (average speed 12 km/h) up to 25.11 km/L on the highway (average speed 86 km/h). Apart from its straight line performance, the Mazda6 also betters the Accord in the way it conducts itself through corners. It eats transition movements for breakfast, only occasionally spitting out hints of understeer. It also feels much more confident under heavy braking. On the flipside, the ride is far less cushy. It’s controlled, but firm. Jolts are largely absorbed, but tire noise is abundant at higher speed. Plus, there’s an obnoxious knocking sound from the front suspension—something that’s become commonplace with the Mazda6.

When not being pushed or carved through traffic, the Accord pretty much matches the Mazda6 in all but perhaps the less than stellar visibility. But roads aren’t made solely of EDSA and as soon as traffic clears up, the Honda begins to show its limits. Though it’s noticeably quieter, smoother, and plusher than the Mazda6, the overall feel is that of isolation. It’s numb all the way from the steering to the chassis; the pedals to the engine; the driver to the car. Don’t get it wrong, it is capable, but the car doesn’t simply communicate well to the driver. Nonetheless, the engine lets out a positive, but muted sound while the accompanying power and acceleration is brisk, especially from mid-throttle onward. The five-speed automatic, though a cog down the Mazda6 is well-suited to the engine. The steering itself is progressive and natural while the brakes still bite well. However, there’s simply no emotion attached to the entire experience. It has, for all intents and purposes, become the appliance of sporty sedans. And once you’re compared to a refrigerator, it’s not exactly a compliment. Further rubbing salt in its wounds, the Earth Dreams engine under the Accord’s hood has really affected fuel mileage which rests at a dismal 5.71 km/L (average speed 11 km/h) going up to 9.48 km/L as the speeds go up (average speed 16 km/h) topping out at 14.37 km/h on the highway (average speed 67 km/h).

Winner: Mazda6





Value for Money

With compact sedans and crossovers now offering increasingly competitive specs, there’s pressure to actually kit-up the executive sedans even more. Both these vehicles offer a substantial upgrade in terms of comfort and convenience technologies, some of which weren’t available in this price range before. That said, around P 200,000 separates the Mazda6 and the Accord with the Honda still coming out as the more affordable of the two. The question is: can Mazda justify its price difference?

When the Accord first came out in 2014, Honda played it conservatively, offering about 90 percent of equipment at 10 percent less cost than the competition. Today though, Honda has rectified this and has begun offering much more equipment at roughly the same price point. Apart from the de rigueur features such as powered leather seats, a fancy infotainment system, GPS navigation, and so forth, the new Accord does add things like cruise control and front proximity sensors to supplement the rear ones. A multi-angle parking camera is also standard on the 4-cylinder variant as well. Even the much vaulted, but equally unnecessary Lane Watch blind spot camera has been added too. It also receives a full complement of LED lighting front and back. What’re missing would be larger alloy wheels and perhaps, rain-sensing wipers. Apart from those, the Accord is looking to be a more complete package.

As good as the Accord is, its biggest problem is the Mazda6. With Mazda opting for a more simplified line-up, the Mazda6 has been kitted to the roof in terms of features; features that easily justifies its higher price tag. Adaptive LED headlights? Check. Gunmetal 19-inch alloy wheels? Check. Sunroof? Check. Powered driver’s seat with memory? Check. An 11-speaker Bose sound system? Check. Heads-up display? Check. Lane Keeping Assist? Check. Lane Departure Warning? Check. Game set and match.

Winner: Mazda6





For the executive who still longs to drive himself, it’s clear that there’s only one real choice. This matchup between the Honda Accord and Mazda6 has produced a new executive sedan king. And in this case, the Mazda6 rules the roost. Although the Accord still manages to strike a good balance between sportiness and comfort, it’s starting to veer too much already to becoming more of a chauffeur-driven car as opposed to an owner-driven one. It’s plush and luxurious, spacious and comfortable, but it’s also largely numb. In the end, it simply cannot match the fun-to-drive qualities of the Mazda6. The Mazda does trade a bit in terms of space and riding comfort for a better driving experience, but in the end, you know which one you’ll be willing drive on a long trip.

Winner: Mazda6