It’s Sunday again, which means it’s time for the AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup! You read this the day before Independence Day, which is the date when the Philippines was freed from the shackles of over three centuries of Spanish colonial rule (that was then followed by decades of additional colonial rule under the Americans and the Japanese). It’s also the rainy season now – strong showers are now hitting various parts of the country as a counterbalance to the searing heat in the first ha

We at AutoFun Philippines believe that having a narrow car is conducive to couple closeness. One advantage of having four-wheeled means of transport is that the cockpit (i.e., the front interior area) usually seats two and that the means to enhance intimacy (i.e., the air-conditioning and infotainment controls, plus the glovebox and a number of storage bins or cupholders) are within easy reach of either front occupant. That said, it helps a lot if the lateral distance between the front seats is

It's still early in 2023, but automakers are slowly adjusting the prices of their vehicles for the new year. While brands such as Toyota and Honda have already released their new pricing, Mazda Philippines is the latest Japanese brand to join in. A quick check of the local website has revealed that the Japanese automaker has adjusted the pricing of specific models, which includes the Mazda 2, MX-5, CX-3, and the top variant of the recently updated CX-5. Mazda’s pricing updates The Mazda2, in its

Even amid the sport-utility vehicle craze, the hatchback remains a popular choice for buyers across the world. Unlike a traditional four-door sedan, a hatch has three or five doors with the cargo area integrated into the cabin. If you own a small business and use the family car for work on the side, a hatchback is unbelievably practical because passenger space and cargo space can easily be swapped around, without resorting to buying a huge van. My family has a fleet of vehicles that are exclusiv

Mazda's booth at the Philippine International Auto Show (PIMS) had the MX-5 Miata as its centerpiece, but its CX-8 all-wheel-drive Exclusive six-seater crossover stablemate piqued some curiosities. This was because the family crossover has had minor changes to its exterior. The front grille (precisely the space behind the telltale wing-shaped Mazda logo) had redesigned slats resembling interlocked zippers. Additional chrome adorned the front bumper. A somewhat shiny silver (Mazda calls it Bright

Toyota Motor Thailand has just launched what is believed to be the 2023 Toyota Vios this morning. Actually, this model is known as the 2023 Toyota Yaris Ativ in Thailand. While it was originally thought that the Toyota Vios and the Yaris Ativ will remain two distinct models, it is now confirmed that Toyota Thailand will cease production of the former. Underpinned by the same Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform also found in the Toyota Raize, Avanza and Veloz, the Yaris Ativ will cov