CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

April 20, 2009

Review: 2009 Toyota RAV4

Go ahead. Stare as much as you like. What you’re seeing on these pages is the 2009 Toyota RAV4. We’re not kidding! That’s how “subtle” the changes are, considering the nips and tucks done here we supposed to keep the RAV4 fresh against the slew of its newer competitors including the exemplary Subaru Forester. We’re not saying that the RAV4 is a terrible car though. In fact, despite being one of the first to arrive among the current crop of compact crossovers, this “cute-ute” remains fairly commendable, though it has truly fallen from our graces.

Review: 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Success plays mind games on people. Sometimes it pushes you to do greater things, sometimes it makes you complacent and sometimes it makes you do silly things. Take Michael Phelps for example: the sheer weight of eight Olympic gold medals hung around his neck had caused him to smoke pot. In front of the camera no less. And much like Phelps, Suzuki is leaning towards downright silliness. The sheer success of their Swift sub-compact has caused them to move up the automotive ladder. They set their sights on the Mazda3 and the Honda Civic with (drum rolls please) the SX4 Sedan. That’s a pretty tall order considering that the SX4 has a wheelbase of just 2,500 mm—making it even shorter than even Honda City.

Review: 2009 Hyundai i10 1.1 GLS A/T

Sixty-six horsepower isn’t something to get excited about. After all, the last time I’ve driven a car with that little hood ponies was an early 80’s Toyota. And let’s just say the memories aren’t so great: each time we encountered a steep enough incline (and it’s not that steep), we had to turn off the air conditioning just to reach the top. But times certainly have changed and with the advent of modern technology such as fuel injection, computer-controlled transmissions and so forth, having 66 horsepower isn’t as limiting as it used to be. Take for instance the Hyundai i10—a car that’s unarguably one of the most exciting I’ve ever driven. Exciting? The Hyundai i10? It’s easy getting caught up in prejudices with small and cheap cars in general; and I too fell victim, having put very low expectations from this P 558,000 car. But believe me, the i10 made me appreciate that fun-to-drive doesn’t necessarily mean having the most horsepower or having the flashiest badge

Review: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX

Everyday traffic in Manila is such a finicky creature. One moment, you’re cruising the length of EDSA at about 80 km/h and the next; you’re stuck behind the Love Bus. You think you can escape it by leaving earlier (or later) or by taking another route, but after sometime you realize: traffic here doesn’t follow a particular time or place. It comes and goes at will and no amount of u-turn slots and bus lanes can fix it. The best you can do would be to make the daily commute much more bearable: a roomy and comfy cabin, a compliant ride and a nice stereo would be welcome things to have as you crawl next to everyone else. But what about the times when things are moving faster? When you wished you had a quick car with excellent performance and strong brakes to haul you in? It may not be more than 14.28 percent of any given week (that’s Sunday to you non-mathematicians), but as an enthusiast, you just want that extra kick available when you need it the most. Luckily, there’s the Subaru Impreza WRX—a car that’s equal parts comfortable and racy; an automotive equivalent of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde.

Review: 2008 BMW 320d Sport

There’s always something just right about the BMW 3 Series. Beside the papa bear excess of the 7 Series and the mommy bear conservatism of the 5 Series, the 3 has always balanced the act quite well. And buyers seem to agree: the 3 Series accounts for more than 50 percent of BMW’s annual sales. BMW considers the 3 Series so important that it has as much trim choices as the rest of the sedan line-up combined. Locally, there are at least six—ranging from the poverty spec 318i to the ultra-cool 325i. With so many choices, which is the best? Although the obvious is the 325i, the price of ownership stings the wallet a tad too much. On the other end of the scale, as tempting as the 318i is, it’s just too entry-level. And then there’s the 320i, but everyone seems to have one of those now. So, it’s the new 320d then. Though it may not have that famed inline-6 upfront, it’s offers an excellent mix of style and performance in every sense of the word.

Review: 2008 Isuzu Alterra and D-Max

Isuzu has always been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to diesel engines. Their formidable direct-injection lean burners have always been the first choice when it comes to reliability and dependability. Tune into the news, and chances are, you’ll see an Isuzu truck delivering relief aid to typhoon victims. This unparalleled reputation has translated well to their passenger vehicle line as well. The Alterra, D-MAX and Crosswind have been continuously selling strong despite the stiff competition it’s been facing of late. Not wanting to rest simply on its diesel superiority, Isuzu has been continuously upgrading its products, all to cater to the ever finicky buying public. Coming from the same basic gene pool, the 2008 Alterra and D-MAX represent the newest offerings from the world’s diesel leader.

Review: 2008 Toyota Yaris 1.5G

I’m not getting any younger. The moment I stare at the bathroom mirror, I notice the sagging gut and developing eye lines. I’m feeling every bit of my 28 years on planet earth, and though most say that I still have long ways to go, I believe it’s about time to say bye-bye to youth and enter the world of being a potential family man. With wedding bells ringing not more than three years ahead, I had to step up and make the two most important purchases in any man’s life: a house and a car. The first was easy—my dad offered his old house provided he can bunk with me even after I’m married. The second wasn’t; as a motoring writer, I have driven over 220 cars, so choosing the right one can fill up an entire Excel worksheet with pros and cons. In the end, I settled on a car that I haven’t driven before; a car I purchased solely on gut feel: the Toyota Yaris.

Review: 2007 Nissan Murano

When Carlos Ghosn announced the Nissan Revival Plan in 1999, rarely did he mention about making exciting cars. All he stressed were improved efficiency and increased cost cuts all in the name of reducing the Japanese company’s debt to zero. So why does the Nissan Murano exist? Having a well-balanced knowledge in costing and engineering, Ghosn knew that in order for his plan to succeed, he must change the way people look at Nissan. After all, it’s extremely difficult to sell a toaster for half a million pesos. And so, hot after the heels of the highly successful (and profitable) 350Z, it was time for Nissan to concentrate on a more voluminous market: the sport utility vehicle. In return, they got more than what they bargained for: it forever changed the way people looked at the Nissan brand.

Review: 2007 Hyundai Tucson CRDi

Today’s trendy lifestyle demands something more out of a car. What was once a means of getting from point A to point B has become a sort of mirror to your own personally—something that ultimately tells the people around you who you are. The ever increasing compact SUV segment is a testament to this as buyers are beginning to look beyond the three-box compact sedan in favor of something much more stylish and personal. Of course, it helps having an SUV body style since it offers much more flexibility and utility—something that can’t be said with any sedan.

Review: 2007 Ford Ranger Trekker and XLT

The Ford Ranger scored a major upset earlier this year when it successfully defended its Pickup of the Year title against a couple of larger rivals. That was the previous model. Now a super sized, super powered, and better-equipped Ranger steps into the ring.

Review: 2006 Toyota RAV4

A lot is expected from the all-new Toyota RAV4. Aside from being the newest offering in the compact SUV segment, this model was responsible for popularizing the concept of the “cute-ute” way back in the 1990s. The second iteration caused an equal amount of awe with Toyota pushing the RAV4’s styling to a new direction. Compared to its perennial rival, the Honda CR-V, the RAV4 looked more advanced with its rakish design and exaggerated features be it the Mk. I or Mk. II models. Having found the right success recipe though, Toyota decided to play it safe with the Mk. III. Designers and engineers toyed around with the standards set by its predecessor—a good starting point, considering RAV4s were always handsome and always driver-oriented.

Review: 2006 Mercedes-Benz B 170

Visions of Mercedes-Benz usually involve long stately limousines, flashy roadsters, or Kimi Raikkonen’s own chrome-plated weekend drive. What to make then of this, a stubby hatchback that proudly displays a large three-pointed star on its snout? Mercedes’ ad campaign ostensibly states that this car is for everybody—moms, dads, families, lovers, young and old. That immediately raised the alarm: any such formula usually results in a muddled product suitable for nobody. Those contemplating a first purchase of a Mercedes via the B-Class can take heart: the ad planners may be sending out mixed messages, but the product itself is well suited for its particular audience.

Review: 2006 Audi A4

As early as three years into its life, Audi was pressured to come out with a new A4. When Audi engineers were already beginning to reach the same levels of driver satisfaction and build quality as the E46 3 Series, the new E90 3 Series was already on its way. Knowing all too well that the goal post was once again moving towards BMW's direction, the folks at Ingolstadt had to work fast. This was in 2002.

Review: 2006 Hyundai Accent CRDi

“Surprise and delight the customer” may be a common marketing goal these days, but it’s unusual to find a car that genuinely fits the bill. After all, we expect a Porsche to be fast and an Expedition to have enough room for two basketball teams. During the six weeks of testing for Car of the Year 2006, one vehicle stands out in my mind long after the dust has settled on the roads of Forest Hills, and it takes the bulbous shape of the new Hyundai Accent CRDi.

Review: 2006 Mercedes-Benz S 350 LWB

Just last weekend, I was checking the classified ads looking for how much a new house might cost these days. After a few flips, I found an interesting middle-class real-estate project with prices that start at P8 million. The units have no furnishings—just painted concrete shells with metal tin roofs. This took place just a few minutes before I got to drive the similarly priced Mercedes-Benz S350. And after spending the better part of the day in the flagship Merc, all I can say is that the house will definitely have to wait.

The moment you set your sights at the Hyundai Matrix, you immediately think: that doesn’t look right. I don’t blame you. The rest of humanity doesn’t blame you either. Whether it’s red or silver or any other color for that matter, the Matrix stands out. And that’s not a good thing. It steers clear of everything that’s considered beautiful in automotive design and comes out as something rather, err… unique. Ah, so the Koreans have done it again—a product that’s literally a design joke, probably penned by blind men in a windowless design studio. Not quite. For instance, on the c-pillar reads “disegno Pininfarina”. Still, having an Italian design studio isn’t any guarantee of beauty or desirability. In the case of the Matrix though, it relies less on its design studio origin but more on function and get this, performance.

Review: 2006 Mitsubishi L200 Strada GLX

I’ve got this soft spot when it comes to Mitsubishi off-roaders. Call them crude, but there’s something—either with their stance or look that simply makes them ruggedly beautiful. This is especially true with the likes of the first L200 and Pajero that became Filipino favorites. Even today, the amount of L200 that you still see plying the roads is a testament to their excellent durability. As the years past through, these modern day workhorses soon became overfed and overweight. Soon, the Strada (as what the 4WD model is now called), the L200 gained all sorts of fender extensions, needless interior knickknacks and other hefty accessories that simply penalized performance (if the 2.5-liter 4D56 engine wasn’t already being pushed to its limits).

Review: 2005 Mazda6 2.3

The engine closes up to 7,000 rpm and the muted sonorous note fills the cabin. Just before the rev limiter hit, you signal the sequential shifter up a notch. It responds quickly, almost transparently, pushing the speed even further. A corner approaches, and without a second thought, you twist the fat three-spoke steering wheel into the direction of the curve. The car obeys, telepathically taking the line you want. Your pulse quickens, your breath deepens, and you feel alive once more behind the wheel of the Mazda6.

Review: 2005 Jaguar XJ8

Jaguar’s XJ-series is the epitome of luxury and performance for the British car maker. And even with Ford money, and the subsequent introduction of new models such as the XK-series, X-Type, and S-Type series models, the XJ-series has remained the company’s all-encompassing product. The XJ-series, especially in XJ8 form, proves that the British do stand a great chance in toppling the Germans in the ultra-luxury car game.

Pluck any car enthusiast from the last 40 years, and there is only one car that he will be sure to identify from a hundred paces away. The upright fenders and windshield, triangular greenhouse profile, and sharply sloping rear can only belong to the Porsche 911.

Review: 2005 Chevrolet Optra 1.8 LT

Enter a showroom, any kind of showroom, and you’ll immediately get whiffs of lies and deceit. And it’s not the plastered smiles on the receptionists or even the sales personnel. It goes much deeper than that. I’m talking about the sales pitch—the kind of talk that promises you a whole new experience. Cars can promise you performance numbers that rival Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari or deodorants that make girls go ga-ga over you. But, do they ever happen? Did the last juicer you purchased give you houses of pulping fun? Did the last 15-peso burger meal really look like a pound big like it did on the store poster? I didn’t think so. This is the sort of harsh reality that faces consumers everyday, and the sort that ultimately leads to a dismayed buying public.

Review: 2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer

Elvis Presley, James Dean, Clint Eastwood—men with very different backgrounds, and yet, all have become at least during a part of their lives, the epitome of American cool. Despite their varied styles of performing, they’ve managed to engrave themselves into the hearts and minds of one of the world’s finickiest markets: the United States. Even more remarkable is how their topics of rebellion, realization and self-preservation translate so well even to the Filipino setting.

Review: 2005 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G

Five to ten years ago, the choice for a first car was as diverse as the colors on a Charlie Chaplin flick: it was either the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Civic. Sure enough, sales figures and market shares simply swung back and forth, while the rest were just content with whatever table scrap that’s left. Fast forward to today, and things couldn’t have been more different. Aside from a resurgence from the likes of Mazda, Mitsubishi and Nissan; these two Japanese automotive giants are facing competition from the Americans, namely Ford and Chevrolet. Add the fact that there are now excellently built sub-compacts, microscopic SUVs and a zillion other choices all catered to making every buyer happy. Now, the question beckons: can the Toyota Corolla keep up with the changing market place?

Review: 2005 Mitsubishi Adventure Grand Sport

The wonder of an effective marketing campaign is that it sticks right in your head, whether you like it or not. And while Vinchie and the rest of the Parokya ni Edgar strut their stuff, kissing and rapping their way to the beach, I can’t help but imagine a similar scenario climbing onboard the 2004 Mitsubishi Adventure. While I have no intension of kissing a fellow man, I do have every intension to test this heavily revised AUV in a field it does best: ferrying people. When the need of carrying 7 people to the Car of the Year Awards – Philippines test venue was raised, guess which one was the vehicle of choice: the Mitsubishi Adventure.

Review: 2004 Ford Escape 2.3L

It’s a fact that ninety-five percent of SUV owners haven’t even thought of going off-road. They probably avoid the smallest of potholes and slow down to take the highway metal joint. That said, the discussion of whether to have this or that all-wheel drive system is as important as what color of socks you should wear for the day.

A long, long time ago in the Kingdom of the Philippines lived Mazda 323. It lived simply, toiling around the busy city streets, bringing its occupants and luggage wherever the driver pleased. It was reliable and complacent, never even once raising its voice in anger, as long as it was fed with premium unleaded.

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