AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup: Week of the Ford Ranger Raptor

It’s the second Sunday of May, and we finally have rain showers to balance out the searing heat. 

This usually results in flooding and bad roads, which are things that the star of this week’s AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup can easily handle.

Also, it's Mother's Day, so all the more reason to go out and celebrate.

From May 8 to 14, 2023, everyone went crazy for the upcoming 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor. We take a look at what aspects of this wild pick-up truck tickled you all the most.

Diesel only?

Ever the diligent scooper, AutoFun Philippines Content Head Mikko David reported on the specifications of the Ranger Raptor for the Philippines.

Although the turbodiesel engine is no surprise, given that our friends in Vietnam, a left-hand drive country, also get this, what is a bit of a shocker is the equipment you lose when you ditch the twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine.

But will these lost goodies really dilute the Ranger Raptor experience?

A major upgrade!

AutoFun Philippines Contributor Francis Pallarco dug deep in his comparison between the old and new Ranger Raptor.

The previous-generation model was a hot seller for Ford Philippines because it provided plenty of off-road cred and cool looks right out of the showroom. Check out how much better this new one promises to be!

Would you give up your old Ranger Raptor for this new model?

Get behind the wheel

The all-new Ford Ranger Raptor is slated for launch in the Philippines on May 18, 2023.

These launches are often limited to us motoring media, but you can see and drive Ford’s ultimate pick-up starting May 19, 2023 at the first leg of this year’s Ford Island Conquest.

What are you most looking forward to with this Blue Oval behemoth?

Can simplicity sell?

Even though the Ranger Raptor dominated this week’s headlines, my review of the 2023 Honda BR-V S CVT also grabbed all your attention.

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. expects this variant, the cheapest automatic in the lineup, to be the model’s best-seller. Find out why my spine had a contrary opinion.

Would you go for the basic BR-V?

Toyota numbah wan!

It comes as no surprise that Toyota was the top car brand worldwide in 2022 in terms of sales, with the RAV4 crossover being its best-selling model.

In the Philippines alone, the Japanese automaker has managed to corner half of the entire passenger-car market – a feat that Toyota Motor Philippines hopes to maintain in the coming years.

Do you think Toyota’s local and global dominance will ever wane?

AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup runs every Sunday. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on TikTok and Instagram!

And don’t forget to rate all of our stories using the stars below each article. It will help us develop stories that you enjoy!