In the Philippines, when you think of a compact sedan, the first thing that comes to mind has to be the Honda Civic. The Japanese nameplate has dominated the local scene for decades, and any new player in the segment would naturally use it as a barometer of sorts.
In that regard, GAC Motor Philippines looks primed to go toe-to-toe with Honda and other sedan manufacturers with its latest offering, the Empow. The GAC Empow debuted on Thursday at the 2022 Manila International Auto Show. Suffice it to say that it's one of the highlights of the first day of the event.
If looks are the only basis, the Empow has what it takes to make a splash in the compact sedan segment. Its sharp headlights form part of a busy front fascia with sculpted lines and eye-catching design elements. The side looks sleek with a character line that starts at the front and extends across the rear wheel arches.
The two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels give off a three-dimensional effect with a chrome and black finish. At the rear of the Empow are sweeping taillights that extend to the side, followed below by a quad-exhaust setup wrapped around a sporty rear diffuser. The massive glass roof also gives an upmarket feel to the sports sedan.
As for the interior, it's more of a mystery right now, but from what other markets have received, safe bets include a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, a pair of floating displays, and a levitating center console housing an electronic gear shifter.
Under the hood of the Empow sits a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine delivering 175 hp and 270 Nm of torque with a continuously variable transmission. The power figure is identical to the current Civic, which should put a scare into some of the industry's most established players.
Still, GAC says specs and details have yet to be finalized for our market, so take these figures with a grain of salt. GAC also did not reveal pricing—that will happen when the Empow approaches its launch window sometime in 2023.
Latest News
-
Wey G9 Hi4 plug-in hybrid MPV debuts in Thailand / News
Wey launches the G9 Hi4 plug-in hybrid MPV in Thailand for around P4.3 million
-
Chery leads PHEV sales among CAMPI members for 2025 / News
The Tiggo rEV’s strong sales helped Chery lead the plug-in hybrid market from January to October 2025.
-
Geely Coolray proves it’s ready for rain or shine / News
Geely Coolray’s safety and tech features make it a reliable and confident drive during the rainy season.
Popular Articles
-
Electric Vehicles in the Philippines for under P1 million
Jerome Tresvalles · Aug 19, 2025
-
Top 3 Cars For Every Lifestyle—What Cars Are Right For You? | Behind a Desk
Caco Tirona · Apr 24, 2024
-
5 Tips to Maximize Fuel Efficiency
Jerome Tresvalles · Sep 09, 2024
-
Five driving habits that are draining your fuel tank
Jerome Tresvalles · Jun 24, 2025
-
Can engine braking harm your engine?
Jerome Tresvalles · Sep 11, 2025
-
Do electric cars even need maintenance?
Jerome Tresvalles · Oct 23, 2024
-
Best vehicles for an active outdoor lifestyle
Shaynah Miranda · Jul 25, 2024
-
How to drive different types of vehicle transmissions
May 23, 2024
-
5 easy ways to keep your car interior clean
Allysa Mae Zulueta · Nov 15, 2021
-
How to survive Metro Manila traffic
Earl Lee · Aug 16, 2022