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Car of the Year
Civic award
By Jason K. Ang; Photography by Paulo Subido
Despite our minuscule market, the Philippines has no shortage of interesting cars. Finding what could be judged the best among them is no easy challenge. Car of the Year Philippines (COTY), now on its third year, exhaustively tested vehicles in multiple categories to come up with a deserving winner.
The Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI), respon-sible for COTY, is a non-stock, non-profit organization composed of writers from various motoring, business and lifestyle publications and broadcast outfits. The award is unique because it does not solicit sponsorship from any car manufacturer or dealer, and it does not require manufacturers or dealers to pay a fee in order to participate. (It does, however, demand a sum from any winning car company that wishes to use the COTY logo in its adverti-sing materials. Also, cars unavailable for testing are automatically scratched off the list of nominees, even if these models are very much qualified.–Ed.)
Testing was done in two phases. Instrumented testing consisted of a 0-to-60kph accelera-tion run followed by full-force braking. Results were recorded using a GTech meter supplied by Speed Lab car tuning shop.
For the subjective portion, the assembled writers then drove the car along a circuit section of Forest Hills, including long straights, sweeping curves, S-turns and occasional dips. Steep uphill and downhill sections tested the cars’ acceleration and braking. The journalists scored each of the cars in multiple categories, including comfort, ride, handling and space.
Heart of the matter
This is where most consumers prefer to start shopping, a default category that has grown even more competitive lately. In the compact category, last year’s winner, the Mitsubishi Lancer MX, has been supplanted by a new model, the 2.0 GT. The new engine is good for 135hp and 172Nm.
A new entry-level variant represented the Ford Focus. Called 1.6 Trend, this Focus combines a precise and responsive chassis with a new 145hp 1.6-liter engine. Ford sent a car equipped with a four-speed automatic. The Focus uses a MacPherson strut up front and control-blade independent suspension out back to deliver excellent handling and comfy ride.
The Best Compact Car was awarded to the all-new Honda Civic. The car impresses with its responsive drivetrain, roomy cabin and sleek styling. Its 1.8-liter VTEC engine mated to a five-speed automatic powered the Civic to some of the best acceleration times recorded, while still returning exemplary fuel economy figures. The Civic garnered plenty of praises for its equipment level, overall refinement and lively handling.
Small matters
The Subcompact category comprised some inte-resting new entries. The smallest in the bunch was the Chevolet Spark. The Spark 1.0-liter acquitted itself well by posting relatively good acceleration times, thanks to its light weight.
Last year’s winner, the Hyundai Getz, returns to defend its title with a refreshed, European-inspired front. Its practical, sensible interior is paired with a decently powered drive train.
Chevrolet released a new variant of the Aveo, this time a sedan. The Suzuki Swift was the bargain race car of the bunch. It was a subjective favorite for its “modern Mini Cooper” styling and sharp handling.
Taking the Best Subcompact Car award was the Kia Rio, which debuted in April 2006. It’s a close relative of the Hyundai Accent, but without the Accent’s locomotive-like diesel engine. As with the Accent, the Rio delivered bigger-than-expected interior space with a modest price tag.
Executive decision
The all-new Mitsubishi Galant features an enlarged interior and revised styling with a 2.4-liter in-line-four. The new Toyota Camry was the most powerful car in the group, with its 3.5-liter V6 engine. Another V6 powerhouse was the revised Honda Accord. The Subaru Legacy was unique in having four-wheel drive, giving it unshakably stable grip; it was also the only wagon in the group.
The Executive category was one of the most competitive and probably the most controversial. Pulling off a surprise was last year’s category winner and Car of the Year, the Mazda6. According to CAGI, the 6 topped the field because of its ultra-sharp handling, powerful engine and quick gearbox. Not a few observers, however, were expecting the Camry to take home the honors.
Living it up
On the third test weekend, the focus was on luxury sedans, the pinnacle of most automakers’ lineups. The luxury category spans the P2.6-million to P3.9-million price range.
The Chrysler 300C took the crown as best luxury car last year, and got to defend its title this year. The 300C comes equipped with a new five-speed automatic and improved interior gadgetry, including an audiophile-worthy Boston Acoustics sound system.
But sliding past the American to take the title was a Swede, the Volvo S60. The S60 has beautiful sheet metal and solid construction inside and out. An intelligent choice is the 2.0T. This variant took home the Best Luxury trophy.
The ultimates
The Ultra-Luxury Category (P4 million to P6 million) was a straight fight between two Germans, the Audi A6 3.0 TDI and the Mercedes-Benz E 280 Elegance. The Audi provided powerful accelera-tion courtesy of its state-of-the-art diesel engine and quattro all-wheel drive. The Mercedes coun-tered with its eager-to-rev gasoline V6, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The posted times were, as expected, the best among the categories tested by CAGI. Each heavy sedan could easily out-accelerate its lesser, lighter counterparts.
In the end, the Mercedes, with its superb comfort and impeccable road manners, was named the Best Ultra-Luxury Car.
SUVs, MPVs and pickups
A superb flat-four turbo engine mated to grippy all-wheel drive gave the Subaru Forester 2.5 XT an edge in the Entry-Level SUV category. With urgent acceleration available from almost any speed, the Forester was a favorite of both the G-Tech meter and the journalists. For that and its superior value, the Forester got the nod in its class.
Proving its mastery of all-wheel drive, Subaru also won the next category, Best Luxury SUV. This time, it’s courtesy of the Outback, Subaru’s raised luxury wagon. The Outback is powered by a 3.0-liter flat-six good for 245hp. Transmission and throttle response can be sharpened up by adjusting an “S-drive” knob on the center console.
The Mercedes-Benz ML 350 took the Ultra-Luxury SUV award, after its rivals failed to make it to the COTY testing. Even if they had shown up, the ML-Class would have put up one hell of a fight. The ML has a potent 3.5-liter V6 mated to a seven-speed automatic. Its cabin has high-quality materials, and fit and finish are exemplary. Several testers mentioned that the car was worth every peso of its price tag.
Entry-level MPVs came in two flavors this year: Toyota and Toyota. The Avanza is a practical, no-frills counterpoint to the Innova V’s leather-trimmed interior. The Innova V was awarded Best Entry-Level MPV thanks to its comfort, versatility and safety features.
Mitsubishi received a pleasant surprise when its returning Luxury MPV champion retained the title. Despite the well-worn condition of the assigned test unit, the Grandis still won due to its sharp exterior and highly enjoyable driving behavior.
One of the newest pickups on the block, the Mitsubishi Strada, won as Best Pickup Truck. Decidedly un-truck-like styling, comfortable cabin and easy maneuverability in the city made this a favorite.
Special awards
When it rains, it pours: The Honda Civic also took the Best Overall Value special award. The Mercedes E-Class got a citation for Best in Safety. Best in Technical Innovation went to the Audi A6. Best Design went to the sleek Nissan Murano.
The overall Car of the Year award went to the Civic. When it was introduced, the Civic immediately set the benchmark for its class. The Civic features cavernous interior space, an ultra-modern cabin and the best drive train in its category—all wrapped up in a concept-car exterior package. It dared to use a 1.8-liter unit as its base engine, promising fuel economy superior to most 1.6-liters. In most cases, it delivered the goods.
Making us feel like a fighter pilot every time, the Civic’s digital instruments also didn’t hurt its chances. The Honda Civic was thus awarded the Car of the Year plum.
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Top Gear Philippines - May 2007
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