We’ve been saying over and over that it’s been quite a busy year for the Philippine automotive industry. Well, what we don’t say much is because of that, it’s been one hell of a busy year for us, too.
We’ve put out countless videos and articles over the past 12 months, and we’d love to take a trip down memory lane and look back on what we’ve accomplished so far. But what good would it do to you, our readers, right? So instead of doing that, we’ll just do a rundown of our content that’s arguably the crowd favorite: The Big Test.
We had a number of those this year, and some were honestly more fun than the others. Anyway, we’ll go through them one by one in chronological order. Let’s go!
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Watch: Here’s a quick preview of the PH-bound Hyundai Santa Fe
Watch: Did Toyota hit the mark with the all-new Zenix?
1) Honda HR-V vs Nissan Kicks vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Gas vs hybrid Big Test
For our first one of the year, we went big with a three-way comparo featuring the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Nissan Kicks e-Power, and the turbocharged Honda HR-V. Did the electrified powertrains win this one, or did good old turbocharged gasoline power prevail?
2) 2022 Geely Coolray Sport vs MG ZS T: Chinese crossover Big Test
It’s Chinese versus Chinese in this Big Test. And it’s not just your regular China car—it’s the Geely Coolray going up against the MG ZST, arguably the two most popular crossovers from the People’s Republic to ever hit our market.
3) Ford Everest Titanium+ 4x4 vs Toyota Fortuner GR-S: 4x4 SUV Big Test
For this one, we go back to one of the biggest and most requested comparos: the Ford Everest versus the Toyota Fortuner. Two segment giants in their own rights and two major sales drivers for their respective brands. Let the midsize SUV showdown commence.
4) Hyundai Staria Premium+ vs Toyota Super Grandia Elite: Van Big Test
The Toyota Hiace Super Grandia has, for years, been the go-to people-hauler when it comes to upmarket vans. But now, it has a legitimate challenger in the Hyundai Staria, the Korean van that looks to dethrone this Japanese superpower. Is it up to the task?
5) Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 vs Toyota Hilux GR-S: 4x4 Pickup Big Test
We go back off-roading for this Big Test, and we’re back with another Ford-Toyota showdown. We’ve done the Everest, so now it’s time to take out the Ranger for a spin. What better way to test the Ranger Wildtrak than to have it compete against the Hilux GR-S?
6) Isuzu D-Max vs Nissan Navara vs Toyota Hilux: Big Pickup Test
Part One
We doubled down on that 4x4 pickup comparo with yet another of its kind, but this time we took three trucks and turned it into a three-way bout. We did away with the Ford this time and went with the Isuzu D-Max, the Nissan Navara, and the Toyota Hilux—the non-GR-S kind. By the way, this is a two-part test, so don’t forget to check out the second episode below if you haven’t yet.
Part Two
7) BR-V vs Stargazer vs Xpander Cross vs Veloz: Subcompact seven-seater Big Test part one
Part One
Three wasn’t quite enough for us, so we followed up the previous Big Test with an even bigger and crazier four-way Mega Test. But this time we go back to paved roads and took out four of the market’s most popular MPVs: the Honda BR-V, Toyota Veloz, Hyundai Stargazer, and Mitsubishi Xpander Cross. Slight spoiler alert: The results here might surprise you. We know it did us.
Part Two
8) Ford Territory vs GAC Emkoo: Compact crossover Big Test
Here’s yet another Chinese (sort of) Big Test, but this time we went a segment bigger: the Ford Territory versus the GAC Emkoo. Ford has had a stronghold in the compact crossover segment since the first-gen Territory’s arrival. But with this all-new model now here, how does it stack up against possibly its biggest contender in the Emkoo?
9) Honda HR-V vs Peugeot 2008: Turbo crossover Big Test
Its turbo versus turbo for our last Big Test of the year, and we went a bit unorthodox this time and picked a European model to go up against a Japanese contender. The ever-popular Honda HR-V goes up against the sleek and stylish Peugeot 2008. Will the one-cylinder difference between the two matter?
