The weather seems to have improved this week! All that smog seems to have lessened considerably, while the occasional rain showers help keep things cool in the day or night. This week in motoring seems to have replicated that pleasant climate, with exciting new-car launches and even a rumored new Toyota in the works. Here are your five favorite stories from Oct. 2 to 8, 2023 in this edition of the AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup. Toyota Land what? The Toyota Land Cruiser is a name that is a

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

The current-generation Kia Picanto hatchback has always had a cuddly and cute appearance. From its pert rear end to its beady headlights, it looks more like a bunny than a small city car. But with the latest leaked photos from South Korea, this rabbit’s got a mean new face. South Korean automotive forum Autospy has released what appears to be official photos of the facelifted Picanto, now sporting a front end reminiscent of the Kia EV9 battery-electric sport-utility vehicle. Much more aggressive

It seems Toyota has yet another headache resulting from the conduct of its subsidiary carmaker, Daihatsu. New information has emerged regarding discrepancies in the crash-test certification of the Japanese-market Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid and Toyota Raize Hybrid crossovers, which were both developed by Daihatsu. Toyota has immediately suspended the sales of both models in the "Land of the Rising Sun" as it conducts an investigation. This fresh controversy comes days after Toyota resolved the safety

The Toyota Raize crossover is facing off once again with its biggest rival, the Honda WR-V – this time in Thailand. Honda Cars unveiled its smallest crossover on March 2023, days before the Bangkok International Motor Show. Two variants are available, the SV and the RS. This comes after the WR-V made its global debut in Indonesia on November 2022. Sleek styling The WR-V for the Thai market is no different from the Indonesian model. Matte-black cladding is kept to a minimum, mostly for the bottom

If you’re one of the people who miss the little Toyota MR-S, a revival may be in the works. A report from Japanese publication BestCarWeb said Toyota is teaming up with Daihatsu and Suzuki to develop a mid-engined sports car that may be launched in 2025. All three brands will likely have their own versions. The MR-S successor will likely use the same Toyota New Global Architecture platform on the Toyota GR Yaris, with the front end reportedly using the GR Yaris’ suspension. Meanwhile, Daihatsu a