Chicdriven Wish list: Cars we should have (more of) in the Philippines

ALFA Romeo Mito

Last year, we purchased an 11-seater van to accommodate our road trip needs. We were a family of five, with one child traveling in a car seat, a nanny, the family driver, and more often than not, two or three grand parents.

A road trip for us is a good way to bond with the whole family. We were very happy and content with our travel arrangements and we were road-tripping away.

Then in November, we received a shocker: I was expecting, not just one, but twins. After all the excitement had settled down, the first problem we came face to face with was how to fit the now family of seven with three car seats, a tandem stroller, an umbrella stroller, two nannies, two older kids, four to five adults, and a driver.

Anybody with children knows the amount of items hauled around for these tiny human beings, so the car has to have ample space for bags as well.

So we started looking around for viable options. It’s really quite limited locally, so we started looking abroad. And while we were doing so, we thought of other cars that would have been great if available in the Philippines.

Below are four of the cars I think should be available or should have more in the country.

1. More than 12-seat vehicles like the Toyota First Class Commuter (Thailand).

This is commonly known as the bubble top vans you see pimped out in Thailand. I have seen a luxury version (with champagne glass and holders and French trimmings), a business class version (equipped with lights per passenger and WiFi), and even a rave party version (disco lights and an out-of-this-world sound system).

But the most important aspect of this vehicle is that it seats 16 persons.

The website list three persons each on the first, second, third and fourth row, and an additional four on a 50:50 split on the fifth row.

TOYOTA First Class Commuter

This long base van is quite spacious both in length and height because of its bubble top. it should be easy for parents to move about while changing diapers, or for children to run around and amuse themselves when the car is parked.

Another good application is for tour groups being in between van size and a coaster.

2. Compact but comfortable cars like the Alfa Romeo Mito.

Due to the never ending flooding and long response time for road repairs, some roads in the metro have become a teenager’s face on a long bout of acne.

Because of this, riding comfort has always been highlighted on brochures and press releases.

According to the Telegraph UK, this is one of their 10 most comfortable cars. Mito is one of the first cars to have Fiat’s revolutionary multi-air engine technology.

It has an adaptive and active suspension that analyzes the road and electronically adjusts its dampers and suspension, making it perfect (but extremely overworked) for our potholed ridden streets.

It’s a compact hatchback, which has less space consumed on our overly congested thoroughfares.

3. Recliners and massage options on passenger seats.

With traffic going from bad to worse every day without a ray of light at the end of the tunnel to hope for, all we can do is to make the daily commute as bearable as possible.

Imagine if the passenger seats on your car reclines and have an extended footrest to rest your numb limbs.

Imagine if you can have an onboard massage while stuck in Edsa.

The good news is this feature is already a reality. The low side is that it’s available in high-end cars abroad. Locally it is available on the Lexus LS Hybrid, which has the ability to recline to a 45-degree angle, with an extended footrest and shiatsu feature activated by a remote control.

Even the front seat automatically moves forward to accommodate your recline.

If this feature were available to cars on a lower price point, there would be less gun toting and angry gladiators on the road.

4. Tesla or electric cars.

More cars mean more pollution. Since we don’t see cars becoming obsolete in the near future, we need to work on sustainable mobility.

Most car manufacturers are coming up with hybrid vehicles, not a full electric car, which is why the former comes with a hefty price tag.

If people can afford super cars, they can probably afford a Tesla fully electric car. A supercar ups your “pogi points” by 100 percent, but an electric supercar ups you by another 200 percent.

It gives off the perception that you’re loaded and you care,  bringing you up to Christian Grey level without the S&M issues (well it depends if that’s how you roll).

Ranked No. 2 by USNEWS.Com in its super luxury segment, the Tesla retails in the US from $70,000 to $130,000.

The performance version of their base Tesla model S comes in automatic transmission with 443 Torque and runs up to 416 Horsepower. It is said to be quicker than some luxury sports cars, and offers more agility and responsiveness on the road.

Hopefully we see this type of cars in the future on Philippine roads, and with an affordable price tag. How about you? What cars would you want to see on our roads?

For comments and suggestions please e-mail me at jnt@chicdriven.com or follow me on instagram/chicdriven or like us on facebook/Chicdriven.