4 Best small hatchbacks you can buy in the Philippines

If you’re in the market for a new small hatchback in the Philippines, we highly suggest you give these four great vehicles a closer look. These small cars offer a lot of value for money, with the cheapest variant coming in at P634,000. Hatchbacks offer a versatile platform for beginners and seasoned drivers alike, thanks to their compact dimensions, maneuverability, and large cargo-carrying potential.

The small hatchbacks on the list are based on our review grading system. These are all scored from one to five, with five being the highest mark.

At the top of our list, we’ve put the MG3. Scoring 4.4/5.0, the MG3, specifically, the MG3 Hybrid+ variant, impressed us with its astounding value for money, spritely powertrain, and stylish looks.

The Hybrid variant has an SRP that just edges over a million pesos at P1,088,000, but for that, you get a hybrid powertrain, some advanced driver assist features, and convenience features. If you want to opt for a more traditional powertrain, the rest of the lineup features a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter gasoline engine boasting 118 hp and 150 Nm of torque paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT. 

In our 2024 review of the MG 3 Hybrid, we praised its looks and plentiful tech features, but we focused on the value the hybrid provides for its price point, which undercuts a lot of hybrids on the market. As a newcomer on the market, the MG3 lineup is hard to ignore.

Sitting in second place is the Honda Brio, scoring a 4.0/5.0 on our review. It features a downsized 1.2-liter engine producing 89 hp and 110 Nm of torque. Despite the engine’s small size, it’s still a peppy little hatchback. The car scored high for its design, ergonomics, and quality. Updated in 2023, the Brio now has the convenience of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also added in the update is the addition of the touchscreen infotainment system for the entry-level S variant.

In our 2019 review, the Brio RS also scored high in terms of design with a score of 4.5/5. The Brio during our testing was also able to get 14.1 km/L for city driving and 20.3 km/L for highway driving. Since the facelift introduced additional features while retaining the driving characteristics we loved about the Brio, it still holds up even today.

Next on the list is the Suzuki S-Presso, scoring a 3.8/5.0 on our review. This five-door hatchback is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.0-liter K10B engine, providing 67 hp and 90 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) transmission. Suzuki’s hatchback scored high for its design, fuel economy, and exceptional value for money. Priced below the P800,000 mark, the S-Presso is one of the few cars out there that has an accessible price with an adequate amount of features. 

Oh, and if you’re wondering how good the S-Presso is at sipping fuel, our 2023 review showed that the S-Presso consumes around 17 km/l in moderate traffic conditions and 13 km/l in heavy traffic. Combined city and highway figures were around 14 km/L, but we found out that if you actively try and save fuel, you can get figures up to 20 km/l in the S-Presso.

Next on the list with a 3.8/5.0 score is the veteran of the bunch, the Mirage. This little hatchback features a 1.2-liter engine that produces 78 hp and 100 Nm of torque, which is mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a CVT to meet different driving preferences or fuel efficiency needs. 

The Mitsubishi Mirage features a good balance between exterior dimensions and interior space for five adults and their luggage. It has an infotainment system with Bluetooth and MirrorLink, which is a plus as the head unit is a bit bare and does not feature a touchscreen. The Mirage was able to score high in value for money and in our safety and technology categories. In other categories, it scored 3.5/5 for design, performance, and ride comfort. The Mirage during our review period was able to put out 12 km/L in city driving conditions with a maximum speed of 40 km/h. For its highway fuel economy figures, it was able to get 23 km/L. Though the Mirage Hatchback is getting on a bit with age, it’s still undeniable that it’s a solid choice in the hatchback segment, especially if all that you want from a car is simplicity and bulletproof reliability.