2019 Haima M3 Technology & Safety Review

P579,000 is not a lot of money for a subcompact car. Outright, the Haima M3 Standard undercuts the base models most subcompacts by quite a bit but offers the basics in terms of vehicle technology and safety. 

Sparse is what this Haima is, and it lacks a few features that we would have liked to see, but we cannot deny that the price of acquisition doesn’t set our expectations high enough. So, here is a close look at the technology and safety of the Haima M3 Standard. 

What’s included: Power door locks, power windows, power-adjustable mirrors, USB port, manual leveling headlights. 

It has what you need, not much of what you would want. The M3 manages to tick the bare essentials when it comes to motoring. It has doors that lock and a 4-speaker audio system that doesn’t sound too harsh. Nothing of note here; just expected tech in a subcompact maybe five years ago. We have to remember the price, however, and the base model only gets bare essentials. 

Stepping up a notch in the range will get you a touch screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, a CVT and not to mention a better overall experience with some minor inclusions, but at over P100,000 more, it could be better. 

What you won’t like: Basic infotainment, no remote lock and unlock, no trip computer. 

As stated in the review, this is a car that is stuck in time. The infotainment system is dated and confused because it has a USB port but no auxiliary port whatsoever. Even getting in the Haima is a trip down memory lane, because it requires the user to slot and twist the provided key and immobilizer combo to lock. Also, another sore spot is the inclusion of a range meter, but not a trip computer. It can calculate how far you can go on the remaining fuel you have but it cannot compute how much you’ve traveled. What’s easier? Remembering the past or predicting the future? It’s not the latter, that's for sure. 

What’s included: Driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX tethers, C-NCAP 2012 4-star rating. 

Nothing spectacular, just minimum requirements. You get seat belts which come with a reminder for the driver. What is remarkable is the C-NCAP 2012 4-star rating. While it is not a 5-star rating, it is still relevant for the price point. The M3 was able to score 100% when it came to the whiplash testing. Other than that, the car averaged 76% on the rigid barrier, offset deformable barrier, and side mobile barrier tests.