It has been a rough period for the Philippine auto industry. Yet despite the ongoing pandemic and the challenges it has brought, innovation and competition continue to drive development in the sector, as the country’s car makers position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities of an expected economic recovery.

This is a victory for Filipino consumers, who now have the pick of some of the best cars the industry has ever released. Here is a list of a few of them.

Toyota Vios

The country’s leading carmaker Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) bolstered its already robust selection of models by introducing a new variant to its ever-popular Toyota Vios lineup. Backed by its TOYOTA GAZOO Racing brand, the Vios GR-S is a motorsports-inspired reinvention of the much-loved sedan, infusing it with a sporty upgraded design and new features.

The new Vios GR-S is Vios with a new look that’s ready for the racetrack with its striking exterior — marked with the prestigious GR emblem and featuring a sporty front bumper and grille, aerokit, and spoiler. Driver and passenger experience is also made to feel race-ready with the leather with red stitching on the wheel, shift lever and knob material, and suede/synthetic leather with red stitching seats. The 10-speed CVT transmission variant comes with 7 SRS airbags and clearance sonars for a safer drive, as well as easy smartphone apps access with the Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility.

Through the introduction of the Vios GR-S, the first GR-S model in its lineup, TMP intends to make sportier options available for racing fans and motorsports enthusiasts who want to express this passion through their daily drivers.

Honda City

The popular City model from Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has climbed to the top of its class in the brand’s sales. With the All-New City Hatchback launched in the Philippines last April, Honda is expanding the model lineup with the brand’s newest offering in the hatchback category.

With improvements to the hatchback’s versatility, power, and fuel efficiency, the All-New City promises to easily adapt to a wide variety of the owner’s lifestyle and needs. Notable interior features such as the One Push with Smart Entry and Remote Engine Start System, 8-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay Android Auto & WebLink connectivity add to the comfort, convenience, and ease of access for the customers.

Under the hood is the All-New City Hatchback’s 1.5-Liter 4 Cylinder DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces maximum power output of 121ps at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm. This reaffirms the model’s released official fuel economy run result last May 2021, in partnership with Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), which achieved a fuel mileage of 25 kilometers per liter after a total of 73.5 kilometers highway day driving.

MG ZST

MG Philippines introduced the new MG ZST Crossover SUV as the latest vehicle to join its roster of modern, safe, stylish, British heritage cars. The ZST is the latest in the ZS model lineup currently available from MG Philippines, namely the Alpha AT, Style AT, and Core MT variants.

Featuring a new, 1.3-liter, three-cylinder engine that is capable of producing 160 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque, the ZST exemplifies the crossover’s punchy, turbocharged power. And with a new 6-speed automatic transmission with manual sports mode, drivers will enjoy smooth, efficient delivery of power to the wheels.

A new, Obsidian Matrix grille and full-LED projector headlights give the ZST an athletic countenance while its 17-inch, two-tone “Tomahawk” wheels wrapped in wide, low-profile tires, and red brake calipers give the car a sporty stance. Gloss black exterior door panel accents, a widened front air dam, and reimagined body lines convey speed and power. With these, among other features, the ZST conveys a presence that is both striking and impressive; but still very approachable, and youthful in spirit.

Ford Ranger

Highlighting its commitment to its customers, Ford’s engineers and designers teamed up with customers around the world to create a pickup they can rely on for work, family and play in the newest generation of the Ford Ranger.

The result is a visually bold and confident design, with a purposeful exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille, and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel-arches that gives Ranger a sure-footed stance. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights. At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the signature graphics on the front. Inside, the car-like cabin steps up, using premium soft-touch materials, and prominent portrait-style center touchscreen with Ford’s signature SYNC®1 4 connectivity and entertainment system.

The next-gen Ranger project was led by Ford’s Product Development Center in Australia. Its international team of dedicated designers and engineers worked with teams around the globe to not only incorporate the very latest in Ford technology, capability and safety, but to also engineer and test the Ranger to Ford’s toughest standards.

Mitsubishi Xpander

Known as a nameplate that shook up the MPV segment in the country when it launched in 2018, Mitsubishi’s Xpander line challenged the traditional conservative and practical reputation of multi-purpose vehicles with its bold and sporty design. The Xpander was the first Mitsubishi Motors vehicle to carry the dynamic shield that embodies strength and exudes confidence, and it has since made itself one of the most popular vehicles in its category.

In November, the Mitsubishi Xpander further refined its signature characteristics with the new Xpander Black Series. The award-winning MPV has been updated with a more elegant look with new black accessory accents incorporated. At the front, the grille, dynamic shield garnish, lower bumper, fog light bezel and door mirrors are converted to black to project an aggressive style. Of course, the side and back profile, the sill garnish, door handles, panel moldings, rear lower bumper and 17-inch alloy wheels are all painted in black for good measure.

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