Words and photos by Jose Carlo R. Sapera
Do you still remember the old Chevrolet Aveo? If your answer is no, we don't blame you. That's because the sedan and hatchback versions, yes there are two, looked miles apart. Besides the obviously missing trunk, the five-door version had a a completely different front end, which gave the nameplate a bit of an identity crisis. Although both were good to drive and had the looks to match, it sadly wan't one of the popular subcompacts of its time.
To give it a second chance at life, the bow-tie-brand rebooted the nameplate and renamed it as the Sonic. It's packed with better styling, more features, and most importantly, identical designs for the hatchback and notchback versions. In case you're wondering, they now call it a notchback and not a sedan because the trunk is shaped more like a notch.
Published in
Subcompact
Words and photos by Leslie Sy
The all-new Mirage that came in late 2012 is Mitsubishi's first small car in the country in over a decade. Right away, it was no secret that this subcompact would be a game changer for the local car industry considering its low price combined with its trusted Japanese heritage. But as we know, a good car is more than just a brand and a price tag.
Obviously, potential buyers will be comparing the Mirage to other similar models originating from Japan, Korea, and maybe even China and the United States. So how does it match? I was given the keys to a top-of-the-line Mirage 1.2L GLS CVT to find out for myself.
Published in
Subcompact
18 February 2013
Insightful Insight | 2013 Honda Insight 1.3L CVT Hybrid
Words by Leo Lim | Photos by Christopher Kho
While the Senate has passed House Bill No. 2856, also knowns as the “Electric, Hybrid, and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicles Incentives Act of 2011,” it has yet to be enacted into a law. Not until a certain Mr. Benigno Aquino III signs it, at least. But that didn't stop Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) from rolling the dice and bringing in some hybrids to our shores. And though most of us may have to wait a little bit longer before the latest Insight sets foot on any local Honda dealer, we were privileged enough to go on a test drive so we can tell you how this hybrid is set to change how Filipinos chug about in our polluted streets.
Published in
Subcompact
03 January 2013
Objections to the Contrary | 2011 Honda Jazz 1.5 V AT
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
I have to admit that I'm a big Honda fan. I've been one ever since I first drove a three-door Civic hatchback (EG), which was sold by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) way back in 1992. Since then, I've owned Hondas almost exclusively, either through 'hand me downs' or 'project cars.' So I can't help but feel excited every time a new model comes about, and one in particular that I've had my eye on is the 2011 Honda Jazz.
Published in
Subcompact
14 September 2012
Korean Pride | 2012 Kia Rio 1.2 LX MT Sedan
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
The very first media test unit I ever drove was a Kia Rio back in 2006. It was a taxi-spec Kia Rio, in white. The only luxuries were air-conditioning, power-steering, and a radio. It had wind-up windows, hubcaps, and a price-tag not much higher than a Kia Picanto. Despite the low price, not many buyers bit. The spartan interior and lack of toys meant that it was more popular with taxi services than private buyers. And even then, taxi services often went for the 1.5 liter diesel Accent over the 1.4 liter gasoline Rio.
With the new-model roll-over, Kia reintroduces the taxi-spec Rio at the same sub-P600,000 price-point. It's still pretty basic. But it now comes with a 1.2 liter engine, shared with the Hyundai i10. Most people might see this as a disadvantage, but the expected savings in fuel could make it an even more attractive proposition for taxi-operators everywhere.
Published in
Subcompact
15 June 2012
Moving the Masses | 2012 Honda City 1.5S AT
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
The Honda City has been around for quite some time now. Since it was launched locally in the mid 90’s, it has become one of the most ubiquitous vehicles around. Back then, the model was only offered with an eco-miser 1.3L engine that came with either an old school carburetor or a more respectable electronic fuel injection system. Then a couple of years later, a 1.5L EFI version came along, which gained the City a much bigger following, as it was one of the most reliable and affordable cars available at the time.
Come the turn of the millennium, the SX8 (as it was fondly known to a huge number of its owners) had grown a bit long in the tooth and was given a complete revamp. Launched in 2003, the second generation City was a marked departure from the outgoing model and featured numerous avant garde improvements. Among them were a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), and an innovative and highly flexible rear seats dubbed as ULT (Utility, Long, Tall) seating. These innovative features had never been available before in a local subcompact until the Honda City came along, showing people what a compact urban people mover ought to be.
So to see if Honda has kept its winning formula intact, we got our hands on a newly face-lifted third generation for a quick test drive.
Published in
Subcompact
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
When Hyundai launched the Eon, they touted the diminutive car’s wide choice of colors. We’re not talking ten different shades of gray, white, and beige here, but colors like Yellow, Clean Blue and Electrix Red. Yet Hyundai chose to lend us a concrete-colored car.
They call the shade “Mushroom”... though it’s more a sort of creamy silver. But then a stray shaft of sunlight hits it and... oooh... pretty. There’s an opalescent sheen to it that the Japanese would gleefully charge you P50k extra for.
The paint certainly suits the car. Because the Eon is a fascinating study in design on a budget.
Published in
Subcompact
Words by Leslie Sy | Photos by Christopher Kho
I don't know about you, but I love my old, well-worn shoes. They just feel proper on my feet - fitting just right, comfortable, and familiar. They’re something that you put on and walk straight out the front door with without giving it a thought. And this is exactly how I felt about my weekend with the all-new 2012 Kia Rio.
On paper, the all-new Rio is your typical subcompact sedan, with a 1.4L engine under the hood that produces 107 horsepower and mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with semi-manual shift control. Safety features include three-point seat belts, driver-side airbag, ABS, childproof locks, and side impact beams. But the car is more than the sum of its parts on paper.
Published in
Subcompact
