Top 10 Cars for the Philippines

The Philippines is home to roads and driving conditions that are hard on cars. Counting traffic, and you have a recipe that’ll be hard on cars and their general condition. With all of this in mind, a lot of people end up going to brands that they know are durable and that they can trust. 

However, where do you start? What models are the best for Philippine roads? Considering that the Philippines is home to all manner of rough roads and tight streets, you need something that will meet all your demands and then some. Fuel efficiency, cargo space, passenger accommodations, and price all come into play here, as well as road conditions and the occasional flood, so let’s go over the 10 cars that we recommend for the Philippines. 

Toyota Vios Philippines

Let’s not forget one of the most common cars out on the road today. The Toyota Vios is ever-reliable and ever-present as a passenger car and also as a do-it-all model. Equipped with either a 1.3-liter or a 1.5-liter motor, the Vios makes good amounts of power that won’t overwhelm new drivers and is enough for experienced drivers. While it’s not the flashiest, nor is the the best in our books, you probably won’t go wrong with this subcompact sedan. 

Even if this is a great car for the Philippines, as many operators and drivers will tell you, it isn’t exactly perfect due to its low ground clearance, and its relatively high price tag. Additionally, there are other cars with better interiors than the trusty Vios, but that’s the thing, it’s the “trusty” Vios, and it’s also made in the Philippines for the Philippines. 

Changan CS35 Plus Philippines

Changan has been making a lot of noise recently, and its best-seller is a best-seller for a reason. With high ground clearance, an abundance of features, and build quality that punches above its price point, it’s a good deal waiting to be made if you’re looking to buy. We had good things to say about the CS35 Plus when we reviewed it, with its main Achilles heel being the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Still, however, the price is a true winner for the segment that it sits in, and add to the fact that it drives light, it’s compact to handle, and it has just enough space for you and your family. On top of that, where else can you get adaptive cruise control for this cheap? 

Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid Philippines

Suzuki makes its entry into the world of hybrids with the Ertiga, and it’s by no means a trailblazer in terms of specs, but it gets the job done all while retaining Suzuki’s thrust for value in its products. Back then, the Ertiga served as a high-value, low-cost seven-seater in the Philippines, but now, that we’re getting a hybrid system with the vehicle, it’s one of the more progressive MPVs out there, currently. Blink and you might miss it, but the updates to this model aren’t anything to write home about, except the powertrain. The non-hybrid model back then was already a fuel sipper, but paired with the mild-hybrid system, you can expect that this model will be one of the best in the business when it comes to fuel economy challenges and runs. Take note that you can also haul up to seven passengers, or a lot of stuff with this MPV, and the power that comes from its engine is much smoother than before. As a city cruiser and occasional out-of-town chariot, the Ertiga makes this list with its powertrain, compact size, but practical interior, a combination that many Filipinos have come to love and continue loving. 

Mitsubishi Xpander Philippines

The Xpander is one of the Philippines’ best-sellers for a reason, and now that it is in its new form, we feel that it’s reverified its standing as one of the go-to names in the Philippines for growing families looking for a seven-seater that’s reliable and easy to drive. The Xpander isn’t totally changed, but now the design of the model has more appeal than before. Now, the model comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so it now joins the rest of the market’s technological chops. The Xpander is one of our favorites, but now it’s even better thanks to the update. High ground clearance is matched by low fuel consumption, and its class-leading space and interior accommodations are some of this model’s key selling points. On top of that, the model has a stellar reputation when it comes to reliability and dependability. Even if it only has 103 hp and 141 Nm of torque, it still performs well on Philippine roads. 

Hyundai Staria Philippines

When it comes to big cars, vans are one of our top choices for surviving Metro Manila traffic and beyond. No other segment offers the versatility that a van has, with tons of space that can be changed up to accommodate passengers or cargo, it’s no wonder that many Filipinos have gravitated towards other popular nameplates like the Toyota Hiace. However, if you want a van that not only fulfills the role of a capable people carrier but also serves as a stylish vehicle for you and your family, then look no further than the Hyundai Staria. With its futuristic looks that still retain its practical sensibilities, this model serves as one of Hyundai’s returns to form. We’re calling it now because the Staria is one of the best-looking vans out in the market today, and it’s one of our personal favorites in the category at the moment based on looks alone. 

Kia Carnival Philippines

There aren’t too many minivans out there that are relatively affordable. There aren’t a lot of minivans out there like the Toyota Alphard, but the Kia Carnival comes close, very close, to the venerable luxury van from the Toyota stable. In terms of price, the Carnival presents a ton of value due to its seating arrangement alone. On top of that, it's a mighty comfortable ride that has a relatively efficient diesel engine under the hood. On top of being a feature-rich and a great car for almost any purpose, it’s also one of the most comfortable ways to get through traffic thanks to the captains’ chairs in the middle row and its generous amounts of cabin space. 

Ford Territory Philippines

Some people swear by the old model, but now that Ford has updated the Territory and given it a new lease on life, we think that it deserves a spot on this list. At the time of writing, the Territory is brand-new, but we feel that our perspective will change for the better when we get this unit for review in the near future. So far so good, however, with the high ground clearance, the extremely improved interior, and the uprated engine that now produces 161 hp and is mated to a new dual-clutch transmission. The model looks good, and it comes with all the features that you need in the Philippines, from Android Auto to Apple CarPlay, to a 360-degree camera and even adaptive cruise control. The Territory also boasts of space for the whole family and all their stuff so as a model that’s appropriate for the Philippines, we feel it’ll go far just like the old model did. 

Ford Ranger Philippines

One of our highest-rated pickup trucks in the country, currently, the Ranger is perfect for driving on and off the road, while being tough enough to haul, carry, and tow whatever your heart desires. That, and the tech that you’re getting in the Ranger is perhaps second to none. If you’re looking for a do-it-all pickup truck but still want a comfortable ride, the Ranger has got you. It’s one of the best-selling models in the country now for a reason, and it’s definitely ready to take on anything that the Philippines has to throw at it. It’s got 235 mm of ground clearance, and it can apparently wade 800mm of water, be it a flood or a river. It’s pretty much overbuilt and ready for the Philippines, and it’s one of our recommendations if you want a well-rounded pickup truck. It’s also one of the most powerful models in the market today with 210 hp and 500 Nm of torque. 

Perhaps the con of this model is that you will be stuck with a very long and rather unwieldy pickup truck, however, the great visibility and the 360-degree camera found in it on select variants, do well to mitigate its largeness. 

Toyota Corolla Cross Philippines

This model is arguably the one that started it all. The Corolla Cross is one hot item, especially since the model has already amassed a ton of interest following its launch a few years ago. With extremely decent space, great fuel economy, a hybrid motor, and also a great deal of reliability brought on by Toyota engineering, it’s no surprise that Filipinos were quick to pick up this milestone model from the Toyota brand. It was a perfect storm of features thanks to the fact that the model has great ground clearance, one of the best rides we’ve experienced in a crossover, and on top of that, the ever-dependable Corolla name. 

Nissan Kicks Philippines

For many people, the perfect size car would probably be somewhere in between a subcompact and a compact crossover. Tall, but not too wide and long, the Nissan Kicks is a perfect entry for the Philippine market, but it offers consumers an X-factor that no other brand currently has, and that’s the e-Power technology. Charged with gasoline, goes with electricity, the Kicks e-Power is one of the most appropriate EV/hybrids that we’ve ever seen. Not to discount the other models that offer hybrid technology, but Nissan’s execution is one of the most novel and most “EV-like” of all. With the system, you’re propelled thanks to the electric motors, and not because of the gasoline engine, and that’s one of its highlights. It performs exceptionally well in traffic, and it does great on the highway, getting up to 100 km/h quickly and efficiently. Oh, and the fuel economy? Definitely going to be lower than what you’re used to, so you can save a buck and get on board with the electric trend in the market. 

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