The best of the sweet ’16 year

Not surprisingly, the Toyota Fortuner maintained its rank as the best-selling midsize SUV in 2016.

Photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza

If 2015 was an exciting year for the automotive industry due to surging sales that topped the 310,000 target, 2016 will be even sweeter as new car sales are expected to hit 370,000 units—way above the original 350,000 total sales target for the year.

The bullish market was generated in no small way by the launching of totally revamped iconic nameplates including the second generation Toyota Fortuner and “reborn” Honda Civic, plus the entry of a new competitor in the hotly contested subcompact crossover segment, the Mazda CX-3.

As a consumer, I have chosen these three as the best buys of the year for their outstanding value for money, engaging driveability and practicality.  Motor vehicles retailing for P2.0 million or more did not qualify.

Honda Civic 1.8E

On June 7 this year, dealers of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. began offering the “reborn” 2016 Honda Civic in two variants: the Civic RS Turbo and the Civic 1.8 E.

Since that day up to the end of November 2016, a total of 2,044 Civics have been sold, making it the best-seller in the compact passenger car segment and a major contributor to the total 12,916 Honda vehicles sold during the first 11 months of the year.

The 2016 Honda Civic RS Turbo, the 173-hp sport sedan that won the 2016 Car of the Year trophy of the Philippine Car Awards Group Inc., is hyped as representing the rebirth of the Honda icon.

But the Civic RS Turbo is the most expensive compact car in the market at P1.398 million, and having a turbocharged engine, requires high-priced premium gasoline for consistently smooth performance.

The Honda Civic 1.8E, on the other hand, has the same sleek, fastback exterior design of the RS Turbo, and many of the same infotainment, connectivity, safety features and creature comforts, yet it costs P310,000 less.

What’s more, the 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine is naturally aspirated, thus more environment friendly and more practical in terms of requiring only regular unleaded gasoline.

So while the high-performance Civic RS Turbo was designed for boy racers, the Civic 1.8E is preferred by savvy consumers and family-oriented car buyers.

Small wonder that of the 2,044 Civics sold in January-November, 1,287 were the 1.8E variant, while 757 were the RS Turbo.

In its 43-year history, the Civic has gained worldwide acceptance as a reliable family car with a sporting heritage.

The 10th generation Civic recovered its mojo via an eye-catching coupe-like silhouette, low and wide stance, and aerodynamic design.

The 2016 Honda Civic 1.8 E is more than potent enough to not require turbo.

The 1.8E’s swooping LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, chrome front grille with the “H” badge, new stylish 16-inch alloy wheels, and aggressively designed LED taillights serve notice that this isn’t just another entry level ride or a cookie-cutter, grocery-getter car, but the best iteration so far of Honda’s globally admired icon.

The R-series SOHC engine, a carry-over from the ninth generation Civic, is paired with a responsive Earth Dreams Technology CVT (continuously variable transmission) and delivers more than adequate performance for what is considered a daily driver.

In urban driving, the 1.8 Civic is smooth, refined and comfortable, while on the expressway, it accelerates so enthusiastically that it won’t leave you yearning for turbo power.

In fact, the 1.8 Civic is quite engaging to drive at high speeds.

Inside, the Civic 1.8E has a new 7-inch advanced display touchscreen interface that accesses audio, navigation and climate control, plus a full-color TFT instrument cluster for easy access to vehicle information and music.

Advanced safety features usually found in more expensive cars are standard equipment in the Civic 1.8E, such as electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, walk-away auto lock that automatically locks all the doors when the driver has moved more than 2.5 meters away, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, multi-view reverse camera with dynamic guidelines, and emergency stop signal.

Smart key with remote engine start, an Econ button, dual front airbags, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, cruise control, halogen fog lamps, and disc brakes on all four wheels are also standard.

The rear seat splits 60:40 and folds to accommodate long and bulky cargo or increase trunk space to 428 liters.

The seats are covered in black fabric. Leg and knee room are class-leading, and the rear seat is mounted low to leave enough headroom despite the sloping roofline.

Summing up, the 2016 Civic 1.8E is a stylish, practical, efficiently driveable all-rounder well worth its P1.088 million retail price—and then some.

Toyota Fortuner

In our country, no one can deny that Toyota is the Number One automotive brand, what with 1,232,700 vehicles sold since Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) opened for business in 1989, including the 144,488 units of Toyotas and Lexuses (Toyota’s premium division) sold this year from January to end- November.

The Fortuner, Toyota’s midsize SUV that was launched on the Asean market in May 2005, plays a major role in TMP’s sales leadership.

Next to the Vios subcompact sedan, the Fortuner is TMP’s best-selling nameplate, and has dominated the midsize SUV segment as the top seller for some years now.

The Fortuner posted January to November 2016 sales of 25,694 units, up from 15,094 units in the same year-ago period.

But the 10,600 surge in annual sales isn’t why the 2016 Fortuner, particularly the 4×2 V diesel, 2.4-liter with 6-speed automatic transmission variant, deserves to be rated as one of the best three motor vehicles of the year.

The Mazda CX-3 SkyActiv is the first subcompact crossover offering AWD.

The Fortuner has undergone a total makeover that improves its performance, refinement and fuel efficiency.

For one, the  KD series engine of previous models has been replaced by the 2.4-liter 2GD-FTV 16-valve, DOHC, straight-4 CRDI (common rail direct injection) diesel engine with intercooled VGT (variable geometry turbocharger) producing 247 bhp and 330 Newton meters (400 Nm with overboost) max torque.

For another, the 4-speed automatic transmission (A/T) of old has given way to a new 6-speed electronically controlled A/T with two driving modes: Power and Eco.

With more gears, the 2016 Fortuner achieves better fuel efficiency (8.3 kilometers per liter) and acceleration.

The 2016 Fortuner is built on the new, indestructible 8th generation body-on-frame Hilux platform, which explains its tough and durable structure.

A dominant grille, narrow LED projector headlights, DRLs, flared front and rear fenders, a chromed beltline, a power tailgate, a rear spoiler, and new LED taillights set apart the all-new Fortuner.

Although the 2016 Fortuner is 15 mm wider and 90 mm longer than the outgoing model, I found it surprisingly easy to maneuver safely through narrow, crowded streets in Pasig and Antipolo.

Using the Power mode in heavy traffic increases the torque, and enables the SUV to respond and accelerate more quickly.

The new 4-link coil spring rear suspension with stabilizer and dampers replacing the leaf springs of the outgoing model helps the 2016 Fortuner to absorb potholes and bumps, then limits reverberation.

Improved isolation limits road and wind noise entering the cabin.

Still, the Fortuner with its body-on-frame chassis has truck-like, slightly heavy dynamics that make you drive it more carefully and more deliberately.

But once you have mastered it, the 2016 Fortuner is comparatively easy to drive as the steering gives feedback and a feeling of connection to the road.

With a ground clearance of 8 inches and 18-inch wheels, the Fortuner gives the driver a commanding view of the road.

The upgraded cabin has a 6.5-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen, aircon vents for all three rows of leather-upholstered seats, soft-touch materials, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood and silver accents, storage spaces galore, and cargo room that can be maxed from 200 to 1,080 liters when the second and third row seats are stowed.

Two airbags, ABS with brake assist and EBD, rear parking sensors, smart keyless entry, and a pushbutton start/stop system complete the safety equipment list of the second generation 4×2 CRDI Fortuner.

Bottom line, the 2016 Fortuner 4×2 diesel A/T may be overpriced at P1.736 million in terms of safety since it only has the basic active and passive safety features, but it gives a lot of value for money in other important aspects.

So far, during the 11-year life cycle in Toyota’s IMV (Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle) lineup, the 7-seat Fortuner has built a reputation for solid build quality, reliability, refinement and durability, making it suitable for family activities as well as long-distance, all-terrain journeys.

2017 Mazda CX-3

Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc., the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country, came up with the CX-3 SkyActiv late this year to grab market share in the lucrative subcompact crossover segment.

Although the Mazda CX-3 SkyActiv began to be sold in Manila in September 2016, it is marketed as the 2017 model, having been revealed at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2016 model year production vehicle.

The 2017 Mazda CX-3’s edge over its competitors centers on its SkyActiv technology combining creative weight reduction and fuel-efficient engine power.

Another CX-3 advantage is that it is the first subcompact crossover available with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

Despite the arrival of the CX-3 SkyActiv only two months ago, 85 units have been sold as of end-November. For a late starter, that’s a passing grade.

Berjaya Auto, an up-and-coming player in the Philippine auto industry, sold a total of 3,701 Mazda vehicles from January to November 2016.

That’s only 31 units more than the number sold in the same year-ago period, but now with the  the CX-3 SkyActiv joining the Mazda line-up, Berjaya Auto has reason to be bullish for 2017.

Three 2017 variants of the CX-3 SkyActiv are offered, all powered by the 2.0-liter SkyActiv-G petrol direct injection engine packing 146 bhp and 192 Nm max torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport Mode.

The CX-3 2WD Pro has the lowest retail price at P1.28 million, followed by the P1.38-million 2WD Sport and the top-end  P1.48-million AWD Activ.

These are high prices compared to the below one million peso prices of competitors like the Nissan Juke or the Ford EcoSport, but consider what you get in return.

The CX-3 is one of the best-looking vehicles in its class, thanks to Mazda’s Kodo Soul of Motion design language that catches the eye and moves the soul with its overflowing elegance and strong character.

The CX-3 is one of the sportiest and most fun-to-drive, hassle-free subcompact crossovers.

It offers exemplary handling and cornering due to its precise and perfectly weighted power-assisted steering, smooth, responsive 6-speed A/T, sport-tuned suspension, and rigid yet lightweight body.

You get SkyActiv technology that aims to deliver superior driving pleasure, outstanding safety and eco-friendly performance through a highly efficient engine with a compression ratio that provides almost ideal combustion plus Mazda’s i-Stop engine idling stop system that improves fuel economy by as much as 5 percent.

Mazda claims that the CX-3, even with the AWD system, consumes 9.8 kilometers per liter in city driving and 13.6 km/l in highway driving due to the car’s relatively low curb weight.

Plus a fully equipped cockpit featuring active driving heads-up display, Sport driving mode switch to enhance acceleration, Mazda’s trademark zoom-zoom feeling, a multi-function command dial controlling the screen and allowing easy navigation of features, and the MZD Connect infotainment system with a single touchscreen, voice command for menu switching, audio and navigation.

To top all these goodies, the CX-3 AWD Activ has a Bose premium sound system with six speakers with subwoofer and amplifier.

On the Skyway, the CX-3 was exhilaratingly brisk and agile, providing powerful linear acceleration and gratifying dynamics with the Sport mode switched on.

On the crater-filled, unpaved Sucat Road in Parañaque undergoing diggings and repair, it was easy to maintain control of the CX-3 AWD due to its computer-assisted 4WD system.

Riding comfort even on smooth pavement is not exactly carlike cruising because of the firm suspension that keeps the CX-3 planted in Sport mode driving and cornering, but while the ride is stiff, it is well-controlled.

The low-set front seats offer outstanding comfort and firm support for long trips, and ample lateral bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The back seat, however, cannot comfortably accommodate two adults, much less three as rear legroom is not much better than the Mazda2’s.

Safety is another CX-3 bonus. The CX-3 AWD and Sport variants have a complete suite of the latest active and passive safety features including six airbags, dynamic stability control, and traction control.

Summing up, the frisky, fuel-efficient and head-turning 2017 Mazda CX-3 SkyActiv, despite its comparatively high price range, is one of the best buys of 2016.

It is a class above other vehicles in the subcompact crossover segment because of its pace-setting SkyActiv technology and generous supply of high-tech kit and specs.

Expect its sales to increase substantially in the New Year.