Disclaimer: Hyundai Philippines lent us a Hyundai Staria unit for a week with a full tank of gas and access to its RFID cards. Remember when Hyundai Philippines launched the Hyundai Starex? It was a hit for the South Korean automaker as it saw a second generation. However, Hyundai had to discontinue the Starex nameplate and replace it with the 2023 Hyundai Staria, its new replacement. We had on loan the family-oriented GLS+ version, which seats 11 passengers but has retained a row of captain sea

The Geely Okavango (Specs | News), when it first launched, took the market by storm thanks to its affordable pricing, space, style, and features. It was a good mix of SUV-like looks, MPV-like versatility, and crossover dynamics all rolled into one with its competitive feature set. After all, it was the follow-up model after the Geely Coolray (Specs | News), so the automaker had to come up with something big. The automaker even bumped up the power from the 1.5-liter motor of the Coolray and added

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

Let's get it straight. There is no word to describe what Toyota Innova highlights other than 'affordability'. It is this MPV's edge among its competitors in the class and its charm to practical Filipinos. Everything that this vehicle offers comes down and is related to affordability. That is why it is still the best-selling in its category and one of the best-selling models in the country. But what entails its affordability? Every Filipino has a soft spot for affordable stuff, and to be honest,