Best vehicles of 2016 ready to slug it out again in 2017

A number of exterior design upgrades modernizes the D-Max look.

Photos by Tessa R. Salazar

The Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-D, the best Crossover SUV of 2016

New year, new car? If you’re one of those who buy a new ride every new year like it was just one of those resolutions, then you’re in for a car shopping treat. That’s because, apart from the new models car manufacturers have promised to introduce to the Philippine market, the best of the best of 2016 are still around to make your choices that much more difficult.

Last week, Inquirer Motoring gave us a glimpse of the new cars expected to hit the roads this year. However, the jury’s still out if these new cars can make the grade on the streets of this country with its own unique set of automotive challenges.

Why not take a closer look at the old reliables, then, the ones that have been weighed, and found not wanting? In other words, you can’t lose with an award-winning car, the award given by those who actually know what cars are best for Philippine conditions and markets.

Best cars of 2016

Check out the best cars of 2016 by the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI).

The Filipino motoring journalists comprising the CAGI, the governing body of the annual Car of the Year and Truck of the Year-Philippines, awarded on Nov. 21 the overall 2016 Car of the Year and Truck of the Year to Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT and Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4×2 LS AT, respectively.

Apart from these two top winners, other category winners were: the Suzuki Ciaz GL 1.4 M/T (subcompact sedan), the Audi S3 Saloon 2.0 TFSI Quattro (luxury compact sedan), the Mazda6 SkyActiv Diesel Sedan (mid-size), the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI DSG Business Edition (luxury mid-size sedan), the Mazda6 Sports Wagon, the Nissan GT-R Premium (sports car), the Mazda CX-3 FWD Sport (compact crossover SUV), the Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv Diesel AWD (crossover SUV), the Lexus RX 350 Premier (luxury mid-size crossover SUV), the Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4D 2WD AT and GT 2.4D 4WD AT (2WD and 4WD SUV), the Mitsubishi Pajero GLS 3.2 Di-D 4WD AT (premium SUV), and the Maserati Levante Diesel (luxury SUV).

Rounding up the list of winners were the Haima V70 1.5L+6AT Deluxe (MPV), the Honda Odyssey EX CVT (Premium MPV), and the Suzuki Super Carry Utility Van 0.8L DDIS Turbo Diesel (for the newly added commercial utility category).

As 2017 comes in, the Philippine motoring public can expect these winners to intensify their competition, and set the standards for other car brands and models to follow.

Honda Civic

This author had a chance to take some of these winning vehicles for a spin last year.

The 10th generation Civic had just rolled out of production and onto Philippine shores when we were given the chance to get behind the wheels of the two Civic variants in an epic three-day ride-and-drive on the scenic and winding roads of the island province of Bohol from June 21 to 23.

Naturally, the more anticipated ride was the 1.5RS Turbo, which felt like a high-powered motorbike when the gas pedal was forced a bit further down.

Surprisingly, the 1.8E variants, though seemingly shy at first, were also “game” for the chase when pushed to the limit.

Being an owner of a nearly 20-year-old Civic LXi myself, I have personally seen how far the Civic brand has gone, from a reliable family car to a legend in automotive history books.

The newest version of the Civic has all the makings and workings of the legend living up to lofty expectations.

Aside from winning the Philippines’ CoTY award, the Civic also gained international recognition, winning the 2016 North American Car of the Year, 2016 Canadian Car of the Year.

Isuzu D-Max

Why Isuzu Philippines’ D-Max pickup won in the highly competitive truck category may be summarized in four reasons: powerful engine, fuel efficiency, value for money, and safety features.

The 4JJI-TC (HI) diesel engine has a Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger and intercooler.

This inline four-cylinder, 3.0-liter, common rail direct injection engine produces maximum power of 163 PS at 3,200 rpm and 380 Nm of torque at 1,800-2,200 rpm.

The D-Max 3.0 LS 4×2 M/T D-Max topped 70 other vehicle models entered into the Department of Energy fuel mileage tests in May 2016 when it registered a mind-boggling 38.46 km/l.

The 4×2 LS AT hits the right spot for consumers given its upgraded features and tested durability perfect for business or personal use.

Along with its power, this D-Max variant includes safety features like dual SRS airbags, side-impact door beams, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA), high-mount stop lamps, and reverse sensor and camera.

Mazda CX-5

This author also drove the diesel-powered Mazda compact crossover CX-5 SkyActiv-D and gasoline-powered PRO variants last year.

The CX-5 is an award veteran, bagging the Japan Car of the Year title in 2012, and CAGI’s Best Compact 4×4 and 4×2 Crossover in 2013.

The CX-5 has been the first Mazda model to feature the Kodo: Soul in Motion design language and SkyActiv technology.

In April 2015, its one-millionth unit rolled off the assembly line, making it the second fastest Mazda model to reach the one-million mark after the Mazda3.

Just looking at, and driving, the CX-5, you’ll know immediately why this beast is a winner.

From its Kodo: Soul of Motion design alone, the CX-5 looks and stands like no other.

The acceleration is impressive, as well as its fuel consumption (a real-world fuel economy of 5.6 liters/100km).

Objective, subjective test parameters

The Car of the Year and Truck of the Year-Philippines is now on its 12th year as the most credible and respected car awards program in the country today.

CAGI has instituted both objective and subjective test parameters for a comprehensive and balanced evaluation system for all vehicle categories.

CAGI testfests have been known to make the evaluation experience for each participating motoring scribe uniform and unbiased.

The Mazda CX-5 SkyActiv-D, the best Crossover SUV of 2016

These testfests have also made certain vehicles that may have been otherwise inaccessible for most motoring journalists because of their limited production numbers and prohibitive prices open for all evaluators to drive.

In this process, the COTY-P and TOTY-P test fests enrich Philippine motoring media’s driving experiences, and at the same time resolve numerous issues and consolidate views on specific driving experiences on-the-spot.

And, like before, CAGI has refrained itself from soliciting support from carmakers to avoid tilting votes to favor “big” sponsors.

“The COTY Awards is not simply a show of hands or a popularity contest. It’s the only award in the country that is based on instrumented tests to gather evidence of real-world acceleration, braking, and handling performance. No other organization employs such stringent testing methods to determine their COTY winners. After the number crunching by KPMG RG Manabat & Co, this data-driven, unbiased program ensures an accurate representation of an outstanding vehicle on category and overall basis. We trust that the COTY Awards will guide you in purchasing your next motor vehicle,” said Robby Consunji, CAGI president.

Carmudi’s COTY

The Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT was also awarded the 2016 Carmudi.com.ph Car of the Year-Philippines title, besting 64 other nominees in the car segment.

The Civic also won the Best Compact Car category for 2016. The award comes 11 years since a previous generation Civic won the prestigious title in 2005.

The Isuzu D-Max 3.0L 4×2 LS AT also won the Carmudi.com.ph Truck of the Year-Philippines award, as well as the Best 2WD Pickup.

The Mitsubishi Strada 2.4L GT 4×4 AT earned the Best 4WD Pickup award.

Aside from the category winners, CAGI sponsors also presented special awards to entries that really stood out this year: Nuvali Green Car Award to Honda Legend 3.5 Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, Motolite Class M Award to Hyundai 2.0 Tucson CRDi GLS 6AT 2WD, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp’s Best Safety Award to Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI DSG Business Edition, Speedlab Tuner’s Choice Award to Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT, and Manila International Auto Show Best Design Award to Nissan GT-R Premium.

Established in 2004, CAGI is the longest-running organization of motoring journalists in the country.

Its current membership has representatives from all major motoring media entities from print, TV, radio and online.

The 2016 CAGI Car of the Year Awards is co-presented by Carmudi.com.ph and was made possible by partner KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co.