The recent “Undas” week gave us all the chance to reflect not only about those who have left us, but also about our own lives. For those who stayed in Metro Manila, it has been a pleasant mix of clear roads, good weather and occasional rain showers. And for those who drove out of town, it was a chance to spend up to a week away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It really makes you wonder about what the Philippines would be like if economic development were spread all throughout the archip

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

At some point or another, during your elementary and high school days, there was one student who always got a big chunk of the achievement awards. In a similar vein (albeit in the Philippine auto industry setting), that student is Toyota Motor Philippines. According to information gleaned from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), which is the largest automotive group in the country, Toyota once again dominated in 2022 by having eight of the top 10 models and nine o

Ever since the Honda Mobilio and BR-V twins, the MPV market has had MPVs traipsing around as SUVs for buyers of all different kinds, and the Mitsubishi Xpander and Xpander Cross are no different. Both seat seven and use 1.5-liter engines mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Both obviously sit on the same platform and use the same panels, underpinnings, and trims. The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander and the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross both enjoy new facelifts, but the question rema

The Toyota Vios remains to be one of the best-selling cars in the Philippines. Since its debut in 2003, it has dominated the B-segment by offering the ideal blend of practicality, performance and running costs. Indeed, it is the go-to choice of fleet buyers who need a tough subcompact car, such as taxi operators, driving schools, the police and even racing drivers. That’s why when a new Vios arrives, it’s always big news. Indonesia was the third Southeast Asian country after Thailand and Laos to

With the impending launch of the Hyundai Stargazer, Filipino subcompact MPV buyers will again be given another option to choose from in this hotly contested category. Along with the Suzuki Ertiga, the Toyota Veloz and Avanza, the Honda BR-V, the Mitsubishi Xpander, and the recently launched Nissan Livina, you can see how car manufacturers are going after a bigger slice of this growing pie. The trend is also evident around the ASEAN region, with PT Hyundai Motors Indonesia recently unveiling the