SUV competition gets fiercer

THE PHILIPPINE car market is shifting to raised vehicles from the traditional sedan segment: pickups, SUVs, and crossovers. There are a variety of reasons for this: incessant flash floods in and around Metro Manila, the growth in local tourism, the boom in entrepreneurship, SMEs that need a dual-purpose family vehicle and workhorse for the business, and the general need to haul and carry more.

Thus, a versatile, raised vehicle is high in demand where a traditional sedan simply cannot cope with.

It’s not just the Philippines that’s experiencing this boom in growth for this segment, but the entire world in general. Manufacturers have thus seen this increased demand for tall-riding vehicles and have slowly begun offering more and more vehicles into this category—from mass-market manufacturers to the luxury segment.

Additionally, tall-riding vehicles give better confidence for drivers as they see further ahead with a commanding view of the road and their immediate surrounding.

Tall-riding vehicles are indeed here to stay, forming a core segment of loyal buyers in the local market.

FORD Everest

Ford Everest

Variants: TDCI 2.2-liter and TDCI 3.2-liter

Seating capacity: seven

Styling and interior: Similar to the Ford Explorer in the interior but based on the Ranger for power, the Ford Everest was one of the most anticipated SUVs launched this year. It has active noise cancellation, a panoramic moon roof, and the Ford Mytouch infotainment system.

Ford’s latest pickup is every bit a rugged offroader, fending off challengers from Chevrolet, Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi, to name a few, but upgrades such as electric power steering and other electronic driving aids, plus a Terrain Response Management software borrowed from distant kin Land Rover makes the Everest just as impressive on paved surfaces as well as off the beaten path.

Claim to fame: Power folding third row that disappears into the floor

Price: P1.399 million to P1.899 million

Ford Escape

Variants: 1.6-liter SE EcoBoost AT 4×2 and 2-liter Titanium EcoBoost AT 4×4

Seating capacity: five

Styling and interior: The 1.6-liter SE is capable of producing 178 hp and 249 Nm, while the 2-liter Titanium delivers 240 hp and 366 Nm.

This compact SUV filled with goodies. It has an impressive high-tech console, power panoramic moon roof, and the Ford Mytouch infotainment system.

In an automotive landscape shifting away from traditional low-riding sedans, the Escape cements Ford’s status as the mass-market truck and crossover king in the country offering the ease of a traditional sedan but with added versatility off-road and during inclement weather, particularly flash floods that have become common on city streets.

Claim to fame: hands-free liftgate

Price: P1.490 million to P1.799 million

Hyundai Tucson

Variants: 2-liter 2WD and 4WD 6 AT gas and diesel

Seating capacity: five

Styling and interior: Exterior design gives a sporty and sexy vibe coupled with 10-way driver and eight-way passenger power adjustment seats, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster, and panoramic sunroof.

Hyundai wisely upgraded the Tucson as the aging Korean challenges newer and fresher, not to mention sexier contenders from Honda, Subaru, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet and even its corporate sibling Kia.

The enhancements, coupled with attractive pricing and a wide variant range, put the Tucson back in top of people’s minds.

Claim to fame: sexy styling and good solid drive.

Price: P1.058 million to P1.918 million

ISUZU mu-X

Isuzu mu-X

Variants: 3.0 VGS Turbo five-speed automatic with manu-matic

Seating capacity: 5

Interior: AVT touchscreen audio system with AM/FM, USB, and GPS functions. overhead-mounted DVD system with a 10-inch monitor.

The upgraded mu-X finally joins the big guns with its more powerful 3.0 VGS engines, delivering impressive off-road performance, thanks to its impressive dimensions (great ground clearance, impressive fording depth, and good break-over angle) while retaining the core value of highly impressive fuel efficiency, Isuzu being the original Japanese diesel experts.

The mu-X is loaded with features, has an extensive variant range, and finally looks modern, and dare we say, sexy from a company traditionally known for agricultural and industrial commercial vehicles.

Claim to fame: Similar to the Chevrolet Trailblazer, it’s an SUV that gets the job done at reasonable prices.

Price: mu-X 4×2 LS-A A/T-P1.398 million, mu-X 4×4 LS-A A/T-P1.708 million

AUDI Q7

Audi Q7

Variants: 3.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI S

Seating capacity: seven

Styling and interior: The classic looking SUV comes with LED headlights with arrow shaped daytime running lights fitted on a single-frame grill.

The lighter version comes with 3-liter, 24-valve, common rail direct injection TDI V6 turbodiesel, producing 272 HP, eight-speed AT gearbox, and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system

The Q7 is Audi’s cornerstone Quattro SUV. The new model trades its rounded flanks for chiseled muscle, packed with more technology befitting any Teutonic technological tour de force.

It’s massively lighter than its predecessor, thanks to Audi’s extensive push into lightweight technology using aluminum and other lightweight materials , allowing the larger Q7 to deliver better on- and off-road dynamic prowess while having impressive fuel economy.

This is set to be the segment’s benchmark for performance, efficiency and technology.

Claim to fame: Largest luggage space in its class, lighter, faster and more efficient

Price: The Premium starts at P6.69 million, while the S-Line starts at P7.3 million.

Foton Toplander

Variants: 4×2 and 4×4 2.8-liter Foton Cummins ISF diesel engine that delivers 160.71 HP and 360 Nm of torque

Seating capacity: seven

Styling and interior: It features sharp lines with a bold front grill, sweptback headlights, rear wraparound taillights, a roof-mounted spoiler. It has wide wheel arches complemented by 17-inch alloy wheels.

So confident is Foton about the Toplander that they launched it in the United States to show how it can tackle real off-road conditions, while matching expectations from a first-world industrialized country.

The Toplander takes cues from its mainstream competitors like Mitsubishi, Ford, Toyota and Nissan to develop their own SUV to challenge the establishment. Watch this space.

Claim to fame: price

Price: The 4×2 variant will be sold for P998,000, while the 4×4 version will go for P1.15 million.

Mercedez-Benz GLE/GLE

Variants: 2016 GLE 250 d and GLE 250 d 4matic, 2015 GLE Coupe

Seating capacity: five

Styling and interior: The GLE comes with a front heavy with angular and masculine design lines.

The Coupe version is compared to the BMW X6 for the same aggressive stance but with a more fluid design at the back.

Interiors: comes in piano black and silver accents, three-spoke steering wheel, and a center media display

Mercedes-Benz has rationalized their crossover SUV lineup with this new model range nomenclature, but the GLE and GLE Coupe are all-new additions to the three-pointed star’s lineup.

The stylish exterior and interior will wow a new generation of buyers, attracting a younger audience without isolating itself from its traditional market.

With premium SUVs growing in demand worldwide particularly in growth markets in China, Asean, Eastern/Central Europe and Africa, this duo will be popular indeed.

Claim to fame: Mercedez-Benz’s styling and tech

Pricing: GLE 250 d 4MATIC retails for P4.99 million, while the GLE 350 d 4matic is priced at P6.39 million. The GLE  Coupé is tagged at P6.88 million.