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

Disclosure: Astara Philippines, the official importer and distributor of GAC Motor in the Philippines, took us on a two-day media drive with the all-new GAC GS8 4WD. The company paid for all our meals and accommodation. GAC Philippines recently invited us to test the all-new GAC GS8 4WD on a media drive. However, as a point of comparison, they also brought two units of the sport-utility vehicle's (SUV) two-wheel drive (2WD) version to showcase the differences between it and the new variant. Our

Lexus had something special in store for those who attended Auto Shanghai 2023 as it unveiled the all-new LM luxury minivan. The cousin of the Toyota Alphard just leveled up with even more style and luxury. Exterior Regarding size, the new Lexus LM is now 85 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 10 mm taller than its predecessor. Aside from this, the luxury Japanese van carries the brand’s new design language, giving it a more elegant look. The Lexus emblem is now placed at the tip of the hood just above t

The Toyota Alphard has been a surprising hit in the Philippines, particularly at high-end casinos. It may be a minivan, but it offers a level of panache, refinement and interior space that would put even the biggest luxury sedans to shame. And for those who want an Alphard that truly cossets, there’s the Lexus LM. Toyota’s luxury brand will debut the next-generation LM at the 2023 Auto Shanghai on April 18 to 27, 2023. It will be unveiled before the launch of the all-new Alphard in Japan sometim

There will always be a market for the seven-seater sport-utility vehicle (SUV), as long as people want to take the whole family on a road trip during long weekends. Be it on the coastal roads of Ilocos or the twisty mountain roads of Rizal, these three-row behemoths will always be a common sight. But what’s the best seven-seater SUV for you and your loved ones? Here are five of the market’s best that you can consider. The fan favorite: Toyota Fortuner As it has been for nearly 20 years, the Toyo

The last time we reported on Spanish-based car distributor Astara, it was finalizing its plans to enter the grueling 2023 Dakar Rally. But the company announced more relevant news in a December 1, 2022 press statement following its formal contract signing with Chinese carmaker GAC Motor in the Philippines. Astara began operations locally on January 2022 and distributes the French car brand Peugeot. The firm also distributes GAC Motor in Peru and Chile. “We are truly honored to continue GAC Motor