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 first-generation Nissan Livina was part of the initial Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) boom in the country in the mid-2000s. It joined the likes of the Toyota Innova, Mitsubishi Adventure, and other vehicles that filled that niche. However, this first iteration didn’t last long. It was removed from the brand’s local lineup in the early 2010s, with its rivals advancing to a newer generation with better technology. Fast forward to 2023, and the Nissan Livina has returned with its second generation

As seven-seater MPVs become increasingly popular, it becomes harder and harder to tell which is a worthwhile purchase. What’s a fad and forever can take a long time, but comparing two of the most popular models is a good idea – say the Mitsubishi Xpander against a worthy adversary. Something that appeals to the market at the same level as the Xpander does and costs about as much as the Xpander does, too, like the Suzuki Ertiga. With both nameplates releasing updates to their lineups - the Suzuki

When it comes to small, seven-seater multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), you have as many choices in the market as there are stars. The segment remains highly popular in the Philippines because it combines the utility and practicality of seven seats with the size and ease of a compact sedan. There are established Japanese stalwarts like the Toyota Avanza (and its luxurious Veloz sibling), the Mitsubishi Xpander (and its rebadged Nissan Livina sibling), the Suzuki Ertiga, and the upcoming all-new Honda

The Hyundai Stargazer recently broke cover and became the latest model to enter the hotly contested subcompact MPV category. With the headstart enjoyed by the likes of the Toyota Avanza and Rush, the Honda BR-V, the Mitsubishi Xpander, the Suzuki Ertiga, and another newcomer, the Nissan Livina, Hyundai’s affordable seven-seater has a lot to prove to sway Filipinos toward its fold. During our brief afternoon with the Hyundai Stargazer, we noticed how some of its design, technical, and safety feat

The first time the Nissan Grand Livina entered the Philippine market in 2008, it was a three-row hatchback based on the Nissan Tiida platform. It was ahead of its time in many ways, as it offered car-like handling and seating for seven. Typical of what crossovers provide today. As head of the marketing team of Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc (NMPI) at that time, I was tasked to find ways to slot such a strange vehicle concept into the MPV-crazy consciousness of Filipino car buyers. The 2008 Nissan