AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup: Little crossovers and a new MPV

The sun may have returned last week, but there are still those occasional downpours that make me always have an umbrella ready.

Nonetheless, the last few days have remained hot as ever in the car scene, largely with the launch of all-new models in the most important automotive segments in the country.

Check out your top five stories from August 7 to 11, 2023, in this Sunday’s edition of the AutoFun Philippines Rearview Roundup.

Honey, I shrunk the Corolla Cross

It’s been pretty much everywhere in the days leading up to its official launch.

But the Toyota Yaris Cross enters the local subcompact crossover wars with electrified power. AutoFun Philippines Junior Writer Joey Deriquito got behind the wheels of the Yaris Cross Hybrid to see if it was worth all the hype.

Do you think the Toyota Yaris Cross has a chance against China’s finest little crossovers?

READ: 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid: First impressions matter most

Geely’s next earth-shaker?

Geely Philippines has become a renowned marque because of the surprising success of the Coolray.

The Chinese carmaker hopes to make waves once more by taking on the Toyota Raize with the Geely GX3 Pro. With two variants and very competitive pricing, the little Geely has a fighting chance.

Do you think the Geely GX3 Pro is a suitable Raize alternative?

READ: New segment star? 2023 Geely GX3 Pro launches in the Philippines, starts at P778k

Revenge of the Coolray

Speaking of the Coolray, many of you were highly interested in the updated 2024 model that’s available abroad.

Packing sharper styling, more tech and an all-new turbocharged engine, Geely’s barnstorming subcompact crossover is better equipped to take on the recently launched GAC GS3 Emzoom.

Should Geely Philippines bring in the facelifted Coolray this year?

READ: FUN FACTS: 2024 Geely Coolray – Is the Philippines getting this updated game-changer?

‘Master Driver’ in Manila!

Back to Toyota Motor Philippines and someone very special is coming for its 35th anniversary celebration.

Company chair Akio “Morizo” Toyoda is in the Philippines to personally drive at the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival on Aug. 23, 2023. He’ll be there to show off his skills behind the wheel, alongside some of the Philippines’ best driving talents.

Are you excited about Toyota’s high-performance event happening in a couple of weeks?

READ: Toyota chairman Akio 'Morizo' Toyoda coming to the Philippines, driving in Toyota Gazoo Racing Fest

An ‘X’ among the stars

Hyundai officially debuted the Stargazer X multi-purpose vehicle at the 2023 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show.

But even days before, the new Stargazer variant had been seen out in the sun, featuring new and more rugged styling. Spyshots also show what seems to be increased ground clearance. And as it turned out, it had 15mm more of it versus the standard Stargazer.

Would the Hyundai Stargazer X make for a worthy rival to the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross?

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