Some call it a perk, but we call it a job. With loads of cars launched every year, we are duty bound to try them all out. Whether they’re good or not, we're here to tell you what they're like so you’ll make the right choice in buying your next ride.
We've driven a good chunk of new cars this year, some locally and some abroad with epic adentures along the way. But what's more important for us are the reviews that resonated with you, our dear readers, the most. The most read reviews of 2024 doesn’t just give us ideas of what you what to see more of in 2025, but it’s also an indicator of what car buyers are looking for these days.
With that, these are the ten most-read reviews of Top Gear Philippines over the last 12 months
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1) Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV
“The Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S came away as our Big Test winner in 2023. Quite frankly, it was a shock for us as it was the oldest model in the group. But that’s the thing about the Corolla Cross, it’s not particularly outstanding in most ways, but if you combine all its abilities, it makes perfect sense.”
2) BYD Sealion 6 DM-i
“The BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is one of the best Chinese cars you can buy today, mainly because of its extremely attractive and competitive price point. At P1.548 million, you would expect entry-level specifications, but this car comes with almost all the bells and whistles you could hope for in a tech-forward automobile.”
3) Nissan Patrol LE V8
“To sum it all up, the Nissan Patrol is a dinosaur. Its big V8 engine, massive curb weight, and appetite for fuel has no place in a world of downsized turbos, electrified powertrains, and smaller, sensible packaging solutions. The thing is, people are still in awe of dinosaurs, and we reckon this generation of Patrol will still be admired even after the all-new model arrives.”
4) Honda CR-V RS e:HEV
“There’s a lot to like and love about the electrified CR-V. It’s stylish, practical, good to drive, has a punchy powertrain, it sips fuel, and loaded with features. It has all the ingredients that make it an ideal daily driver and long distance cruiser. There’s no such thing as the perfect car, but the CR-V comes close if you’re the type who chooses their head over their heart when it comes to sensible transport.”
5) Honda CR-V VX AWD
“For decades, the CR-V has always been one of the most well-rounded packages you can find across the market. That remains to be the case to this day. This all-new CR-V takes all the good things in the old model and either keeps it or improves it while adding a few more helpful niceties in the process.”
6) Mitsubishi Triton GLS 2WD
“The Triton is a solid car, with a massively refined diesel, good performance, and great economy, but in this premium 4x2 segment, it lacks some of the niceties that its competitors bring to the table. Despite that, it’s a massively attractive package, and while the styling and the form factor may not be to everyone’s tastes, Mitsubishi is hoping that the changes bring it closer to the tastes of those who actually buy pickups.”
7) BYD Atto 3 Premium Extended Range
“Okay, maybe the Atto can’t quite match the dramatic presence of the GAC, but it is a relative bargain compared to similar EVs. While BYD still falls short in terms of chassis development versus more mainstream manufacturers, fit and finish are finally competitive, and battery tech is second to none. It’s not for nothing that Tesla is now licensing BYD’s LiFe battery technology for its overseas market cars. The refinement, EV tech and price have made the Atto 3 the third best-selling EV globally.”
8) Hyundai Staria GLS+ CRDI AT
“At P2.32 million, this one lands right smack in the middle of the Hiace’s price range and well below the top-spec Staria, and I’d say it’s a good position to be in. This being priced closely to its rivals while arguably brings more style and flair than any other van in the market makes it very, very competitive. And since it goes for more than half a million less than the range-topping variant, it also gives customers who badly want that Staria package a much more affordable alternative with more seats and a more comfortable ride at that.”
9) Honda BR-V S CVT
“Honda loyalists will absolutely swear by it, but what USP does it have over its rivals? One can say it’s the driving dynamics and the good equipment levels for the price. But you can also throw in its solid-feeling cabin (for its class) and its SUV-like looks. It helps that the BR-V got a five-star safety rating from ASEAN NCAP and the highest rated among all its competitors.”
10) Mitsubishi Montero Sport Black Series 4WD
“Yes, the Montero Sport hails from a different generation of pickup-based midsize SUVs. There are things about it that feel dated, but we wouldn’t say it’s lagging behind the competition. The Montero Sport still has a lot of things going for it, especially when it comes to comfort, fuel efficiency, and off-road features and capability.”
Car review trends of 2024
It’s interesting to note several things about our top-read review stories of the year. We observed four electrified models in the top ten, namely the Corolla Cross GR-S HEV, BYD Sealion 6 DM-i, Honda CR-V RS e:HEV, and BYD Atto 3 Premium Long Range. Does this mean local consumers are becoming more open to the idea of electrified mobility? If yes, then it’s great news for automakers who are doubling down on electrification efforts.
That said, diesel-powered models are still popular. It’s well represented by the Mitsubishi Triton and Montero Sport, as well as the Hyundai Staria. The remainder are gas-fed cars with the Honda BR-V S and CR-V VX Turbo AWD, and the mighty Nissan Patrol LE V8.
Honda made the most appearances in the top ten this year thanks to two variants of the CR-V in the list, while the entry-level BR-V review was a bit of a surprise. Mitsubishi and BYD were tied in second with two each, while Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota had one apiece.
