While there were definitely some groundbreaking vehicle launches this year, there were some that stood out and pulled on the heartstrings of the Top Gear Philippines staff.
A couple of our personal picks drew from gasoline-powered nostalgia, while others offered hope for the electrified future that is to come. We also saw carmakers unveil entirely new vehicles, each introducing new objectives and ideas for its brand.
Many of those ideas will develop further in 2026, along with more launches and concepts. It’s definitely shaping up to be an exciting new year, but let’s first reminisce on what took place in 2025.
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1) 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator
The Destinator is one of the most exciting vehicles to emerge from Mitsubishi’s stable in recent times. While many brands are preparing their next electrified vehicle, the Japanese carmaker rolled out a refreshingly familiar seven-seater. It has resonated with the team, and we’re excited to see how it does in 2026.
2) 2026 Toyota Ativ HEV
With the onslaught of affordable and stylish electrified vehicles from China, we were eagerly awaiting a response from Toyota, the top automotive brand in the Philippines. Its answer was the hybrid Toyota Ativ, which debuted with a fiery P1.198 million price tag. A quick day drive revealed some serious potential, but its mere existence has already drawn a line in the market.
3) 2026 BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse)
Top Gear Philippines publisher Carlo Chungunco was able to attend the launch of the new iX3, and effectively, the Neue Klasse. You don’t often see a carmaker commit to such a new philosophy, and BMW laid out its future in great detail. The iX3 is just the beginning, and we’ll be on the lookout for what the German marque does in 2026.
4) 2026 Toyota GR GT, GR GT3
Under the Gazoo Racing banner, the GR GT and GR GT3 have been tasked to represent the best of Toyota’s performance prowess. Right now, that comprises the first all-aluminum body frame and a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. Not a bad start.
5) 2026 Honda Prelude
Ahead of the model’s local launch, Top Gear Philippines executive editor Sharleen Banzon took the all-new Prelude for a few laps around Honda’s Tochigi facility. She ultimately concluded that if this is the future of Honda’s hybrids, then the future is looking bright. The Prelude is set to arrive on our market in 2026, although Honda Cars Philippines has already previewed a production unit.
6) Subaru Performance STI Concepts
At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Subaru signaled a return to tradition with the Performance-B STI concept (pictured above). The concept’s hatchback silhouette was loaded with a horizontally opposed boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel-drive—everything you could want in an STI. However, Subaru also rolled out the fully electric Performance-E STI concept, showing that the brand can throw down with the likes of the LFA Concept.
