Test driving vehicles, since time immemorial, has been the lifeline of every motoring journalist. It has been our passion, career and life’s work. Here in our own turf, there have been countless cars yours truly have been put under a careful and fairly scrutinizing eye. And just for the past year, there have been quite a few that captivated me. The following are perhaps what I consider my top six best drives.
NEWLY introduced last year, this top-tier — meanwhile — is P375,000 more expensive compared to its other model siblings for a number of reasons.
Toyota Hiace Super Grandia Elite AT
Number one on this list is the Toyota Hiace Super Grandia Elite AT. Although this current generation has been unveiled several years back, it has been continuously upgraded every year. Personally, I was able to drive it for a week — and boy — the popular people carrier left me with nothing but awe.
For starters, Toyota’s iconic van has been around for more than 50 years. In fact, it has quite made a name for itself here in the country that the Toyota global head office decided to make the van’s sixth iteration global debut right here on our own shores in 2019.
Newly introduced last year, this top-tier — meanwhile — is P375,000 more expensive compared to its other model siblings for a number of reasons.
At the onset, it sports the same robust boxy profile as its other Hiace brothers and the same 3210-mm wheelbase. It differs — however — in terms of its fine qualities as it exudes a different touch of class, particularly when donning this Luxury Pearl Toning hue. Add its LED headlights, turn signals, taillights and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/60R17 109/107T Dunlop SP LT30 A tires, then it carries a distinct and more elevated swagger.
This kind of panache is spilled over inside with its plush material and design. It has plenty of space inside like any of its Hiace siblings. Yet, it spells a bit of indulgence with its steering wheel trim covering additional wood and its doors with superfluous trim plating. Other creature comforts include manual rear sunshades and additional ambient lighting with color variations and quilted leather seats. Not to mention those with ottomans for the second-row individual captain chairs, complementing them with the automated sliding doors for added ease. Its seating capacity is best configured to six as it brings out what its other siblings and others in its segment cannot — a new elevated level of comfort and refinement.
Under its hood is a 2.8-liter inline 4 DOHC 16V fuel injector CRDi Intercooled VNT turbodiesel engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which churns out 174hp and 450N-m of torque. This goes well along with an amazing slew of features, such as the Toyota Safety Sense with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision system, lane departure alert and automatic high beam.
Suzuki Celerio
Next is the Suzuki Celerio, which was launched just last year. As we all know, ever since its inception in the local market, it has been one of the crowd favorites among the Japanese carmaker’s local stable, thanks to its compact size yet spacious interior space.
I found it smart and cute — yet cutesy — when I first laid my eyes on this bright red-colored Celerio. Yes, it may be bigger and more stylish than its predecessor as it sports a three-dimensionally curved surface, now veering away from the boxy-type of old. But it still bears some remnants of the past with the same DNA of sloping lines and a familiar front fascia, which features a mix of silver and black, with its logo protruding right at the center, complementing its headlights and foglamps. The amalgamation of its rear combination lamps on its shoulder lines, together with its flared rear fenders — meanwhile — makes it look wide and well-planted on the road. Further underscoring its stability are its nifty 15-inch black alloy wheels, palpably an inch bigger than its predecessor.
Its dynamic vibe from the outside spills over into the inside with a slew of creature comforts. Starting from its instrument panel features all the way to its steering wheel, design cues and seats, it spells youthful and invigorating. Up at the center is its 6.2-inch touchscreen audio unit with Weblink 2.0, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. True enough, there’s ample space for both luggage and occupants with its 295-liter luggage capacity with 60:40 split folding rear seats.
Meanwhile, under its hood is a 1.0-liter K10C Dualjet engine, producing 67 horsepower and 89-N-m of torque. It is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and Auto Gear Shift.
Aside from driving it personally, I was able to get behind its wheel during a fuel economy challenge from Manila to Batangas. Here, I was able to squeeze it for 23 kilometers per liter. Not bad.
Hyundai Stargazer
Now, before it was unveiled in the local market, this scribe was able to try the all-new Hyundai Stargazer inside a subdivision in Cavite. During the one-day affair, the Korean carmaker was able to show to us motoring media a promising game-changer.
EYE-CATCHING elements are inspired by the carmaker’s ‘pioneering spirit.’
Truly, Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. has lived up to its vision up putting forward “A new era of MPV” with this newest stunner.
Eye-catching elements are inspired by the carmaker’s “pioneering spirit.” The front sports a boldly styled skid plate, flush-type radiator grille, and unique multi-face reflector headlights. Upfront is its horizontal LED strip that cuts across and integrates the day time running lights and positioning lamps.
At its sides is its one-curved silhouette. This sleek body and angular wheel arches help to minimize air resistance for enhanced aerodynamics on a body with wheelbase of 2,780-mm, the largest in its class. Not to mention shorter overhangs. Capping its panache are its 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels.
Rear-wise, there is a simple yet sleek bumper and rear skid plate emphasizing the model’s wide stance and stability. Completing the visual identity and high-tech image it embodies is its distinct H-signature tail lamp, spanning the entire rear.
Inside, it oozes with style and comfort. To start off, it has a 4.2-inch TFT-LCD cluster with a digital tachometer, speedometer and fuel indicator, together with other functions, displaying different vehicle information, in sync with the four drive modes namely Eco, Smart, Comfort and Sport. Meanwhile, front and center is an eight-inch touchscreen display with wireless phone projection for Apple Car Play and Android Auto. There are two device holders and six chargers, including a wireless power charger below the main AC panel.
Also, there is a total of 31 storage spaces, on its dashboard, center console, seats and door trims.
Under its hood, it packs a 1.5 Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission engine, producing 114hp and 144N-m of torque. The technology configures to shift gears more responsively with less delay, resulting to a smoother and more enjoyable ride while having better fuel economy. Moreover, the next-generation powertrain was developed for optimal airflow, heat and friction control, more effective combustion and reduced exhaust for better fuel consumption.
Safety-wise, the MPV has also features notable assistive functions that prevent potential accidents such as the emergency stop signal and hill start assist control.
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro
Another notable vehicle introduced in 2022 was the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, which together with the model’s top-spec variant, the Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV, awed the local market.
The Chinese carmaker’s flagship model first debuted at the Manila International Auto Show, held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. There, this stunner already mesmerized the show’s spectators.
Eventually, the model was tried and proven during a media drive held at plains and hills of Bataan and Zambales, where it the local motoring media’s discriminating taste passed with flying colors.
True enough, it was on a roll when it sold like hotcakes, having the company’s first batch of units already sold out in just a couple of weeks in the local market.
Generally, it scored a high rating in its exterior and interior designs; and notably its performance, particularly in its fuel-saving prowess. Its Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV, in particular, can churn out — with the right mix of performance and sustainability — zero to 60 km/h in just five seconds, while also maintaining a claimed fuel economy of 1.2 liters per 100 kilometers or 83 kilometers per liter.
Exterior-wise, the Chinese stunner presents a big, bold, European-inspired diamond grille and upscale-looking slim LED headlamps. The fog lamps and daytime running lights are all LED as well for state-of-the-art road illumination. More upmarket styling touches come from distinctive character lines, large 18-inch alloy wheels with comfort-oriented 235/55R18 tires, and a prominent silver-chrome trim on the lower portion of the doors. The rear is consistent with the luxury theme, with artfully designed LED tail lamps, beautifully integrated silver-chrome-tipped dual tailpipes, and a rear spoiler that seamlessly extends from the roof, all enhancing the visual performance and upmarket appeal.
Inside, it instantly spells premium, sporting a luxurious soft-touch dashboard and classy diamond stitching on the seats, reminiscent of those in ultra-luxury English car brands.