Review: 2015 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s been a very long time since the executive sedan market saw an American entry. And yet, in recent years, the competition has been getting fiercer with a slew of great models coming from stalwarts and new comers alike. Heck, there are those who’re supposed to be dead in the water, but are now coming back to life. In other words, the Americans aren’t fashionably late to the executive sedan party anymore; they’re ‘the party already ended’ late.
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Review: 2015 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Perhaps it’s age, but there’s nothing more satisfying than driving an executive sedan after a hard day’s work. Though most will still dream about owning a Nissan GT-R or 370Z, they’re not exactly the best kind of car you’ll want to drive home in traffic after spending the day in meetings in a monkey suit. After all that work stress, you’ll want something that cushions and cuddles you as you drive through Manila’s horrendous traffic, commuting two hours in stop-and-go traffic just to get home. This is the sort of role the Nissan Altima fulfills and fulfills beautifully.
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Review: 2015 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Volkswagen Jetta has always lived in the shadow of its more famous (and sportier looking) sibling, the Golf. And though most see this as something less than desirable, it also means that the Jetta is one of the best kept automotive secrets; one that requires you to do a bit of digging through the details to appreciate. Though most VW enthusiasts are patiently waiting for the imminent arrival of the Golf (and the subsequent hotter version, the GTI), after spending some good seat time with the Jetta 2.0 TDI, it can be said for certain: there’s no need for waiting. The Golf is here, albeit wearing a sedan body shell.
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Review: 2015 Nissan Sylphy 1.8V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

What’s in a name? This is perhaps the question that faced the marketing gurus at Nissan Philippines when they raised their compact car from the grave with an all-new nameplate. Like the builders of the Tower of Babel, there was shock and then utter confusion: Syl-what? How do you spell that? Like “selfie”? Whatever happened to Sentra? From an outsider looking in, it didn’t make sense. ‘Sentra’ had such a strong recall, so why kill the name? You don’t have to look far to realize that Nissan themselves or more specifically the former distributors who handed the brand caused the Sentra’s demise. Ask anyone below the age of thirty what they think of ‘Sentra’ and only two things come to mind: taxi cabs and cold air conditioning. These aren’t exactly the best adjectives to hear when you’re trying to resurrect the brand, but the reality must be faced: the era of the B13 is over. And Nissan Philippines knows that entirely.
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Review: 2015 Honda Brio Amaze 1.3V A/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang

I’ve driven it around Tagaytay Highlands. I’ve driven it around Bicol. You think I’ve said everything I could say about the Honda Brio Amaze, but I was wrong. This time, I bring Honda’s wonder sedan through its toughest test yet: the streets of Manila. This time, there’s no pre-determined route, no performance test, no fuel economy run, no media junket. For one week, it’s just me and the Brio Amaze. Can it transform my perceptions on what an entry-level sedan should be?

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Review: 2014 Tata Manza Aura Quadrajet Diesel

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Whenever you step out of the Tata Manza, it’s inevitable to be the butt of Indian jokes. A couple of times, I was quizzed whether it was curry-powered or at least ask me how it drives with whatever passes for an Indian accent. Clearly, it’s all part of the birthing pains for Tata, being the pioneering Indian car brand in the country. You don’t have to look far to see that a car buyer’s bias is still there: some will say Korean cars are as delectable on the palette as kimchee or that all Chinese cars are built by people named Cheech or Chong. As a car guy, I can’t have that bias. I’ve got to respect cars based on individual merit and strength. So when the Tata Manza Aura arrived at my doorstep, I won’t care where it’s from. I only mind its design and engineering. And you know what? It’s actually a respectable little car.
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First Drive: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i-S and Outback 2.5i-S

No turbo? That’s inevitably the first question asked by everyone during the launch of the all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback in Bangkok. It’s also the one question that Mr. Masayuki Uchida, Senior Project General Manager for both products could easily answer. His response: a turbocharged engine is not in line with the Legacy or Outback’s character. He’s aiming for an executive sedan with a smooth, comfortable, confident, and above all, linear driving experience; a turbocharged engine simply cannot deliver the refinement he wants. Mr. Uchida should know what he’s talking about: the vastly experienced 55-year old has worked on the Legacy since the first-generation model in 1981. This effectively means he’s worked on Subaru’s flagship offering for about half his life.
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First Drive: 2014 Isuzu mu-X LS-A 4WD

Photos by Ulysses Ang

For Isuzu, a lot is hinging on the success of the all-new mu-X. The mid-sized 7-seater SUV market is the country’s fastest growing segment and yet, their previous effort, the Alterra, barely made a dent in the market. After lessons were learned, they got back to the drawing board and pretty much re-designed, re-engineered, and even re-named their effort. Fast-forward years later and you have five Isuzu mu-Xs parked in a row in the scenic province of Palawan. The mu-X’s first drive just happens to be a road trip in paradise.
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Review: 2014 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ Hatchback

Photos by Ulysses Ang

About two years ago, I was given the opportunity to drive the Sonic (sedan, hatchback), Chevrolet’s replacement to the solid but otherwise unremarkable Aveo. And while I had a great time loving the delectably designed exterior, premium feeling interior, and the respectably solid driving manners. The experience was without its hiccups, but in the end, you know the General is heading in the right direction with their revitalized sub-compact.
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Beyond the Limit: Porsche Tracks the 911 Turbo S and 911 GT3

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Porsche Press

On the moon. At the north pole. In the deepest jungle. There isn’t a place where someone hasn’t already been and opened up new territory, raised the flag, and written history. You can follow their example or leave your own tracks. For Porsche, the answer has always been obvious: it’s in the company DNA to take new routes which question what was once cast in stone. Where others give up, that’s where their engineers begin. The all-new 911 Turbo S and 911 GT3 are testaments to engineering a tradition, a tradition of leaving the beaten path.
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Review: 2014 Toyota Yaris 1.5G

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Whether you like it or not, sub-compact cars are becoming more and more complicated. Once seen as the first rung in the ladder of automotive ownership, today’s small cars are jam-packed with features and technologies which can frankly turn some people off. Voice-activated controls, touch screen audio systems, turbocharged engines, stability control; they are all well and good, but for the Average Joe, having to navigate through all these while trying to acclimatize to driving in Manila can be daunting. What if you just want a no-frills everyday commuter that’s still safe and solidly-built? What if you don’t need any of the extra trimmings and just want to get to the meat of the matter. Well, the Toyota Yaris 1.5G is for you.
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Review: 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer LTX

Photos by Ulysses Ang

How much will P 100,000 get you these days? Well, if you were to believe online sellers, that’s the admission price of a brand-new Apple iPhone 6 Plus. And while some won’t bat an eyelid spending a hundred grand on a large white brick (well, gray or gold if you prefer) that bends, for a huge chunk of the population, you’re better off spending that cash somewhere else. Though I cannot speak as your personal financial consultant, I happen to stumble upon one of the best value offerings in the 7-seater diesel SUV category: the Chevrolet Trailblazer LTX.
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First Drive: 2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE 1: Full review of Subaru WRX CVT and WRX MT.

UPDATE 2: Full review of Subaru WRX STI Premium.

It’s not every day you get excited about a car even before it was officially launched. In my case, the anticipation for the all-new 2014 Subaru WRX and WRX STI was so high, I was literally begging on my knees to be one of the first to get my hands behind one. Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, literally whetted my appetite to the point where I was salivating like a rabid dog thanks to all the carefully planned teasers including bringing over the WRX Concept to Manila. Everything turned full circle as they held the regional launch of the WRX and WRX STI in Manila—the first time the country played host to our 9 Asian neighbors for quite some time. (For the complete specs, click here).
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Review: 2014 Honda Accord 3.5 S-V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

I always have a soft spot for the Honda Accord; having personally owned one straight out of college. It was my steed during my first job as a marketing professional and my ride to dinner dates with the then girlfriend (now wife). Everything equal, I’d pick the Accord as my executive sedan of choice—it was always that tad more sophisticated, sportier, and stylish. Of course, that was before everyone got into the act. Now there’s literally a sea of choices with everyone now offering their own take on the executive sedan genre. And although this market segment is more niche than mainstream, it’s so competitive that carmakers introduce cutting edge style and technology that’ll one day trickle down to the rest of their line-up. Given the sheer importance of the executive sedan, where does the all-new Honda Accord sit?
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Review: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Mid-cycle facelifts are mostly just that, facelifts. More often than not, carmakers slap on a new grille, bumpers, and rims, stand back, congratulate themselves, and call it a day; saving the best bits for the next-generation model. But that’s not the case over at Ford. Yes, the Fiesta has also undergone the ubiquitous nose lift late last year (a radical one at that), but more importantly, the main mechanical bit, the engine, has been completely stripped out; all for the better.
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Review: 2014 Honda CR-Z Mugen CVT

Photos by Ulysses Ang

First-timers will find the Honda CR-Z a mesmerizing, if not, confusing sports car considering all the tech shoved into it. Start it up and the instrument cluster alone has 11, yes, 11 separate clusters and gauges displaying all sorts of information. Add to that the 3-Mode Drive system to the left and the climate control to the right and it becomes apparent that the CR-Z’s made for the Gran Turismo generation. However, as you get used to it, operating the CR-Z becomes second nature; like a well-worn pair of Adidas running shoes (we’ve tested it in Modulo CVT trim and even pitted the MT versus the Toyota 86). Yes, this is one complex machine, but it’s completely understandable too. But what happens when Honda sprinkles a bit of their motorsports magic onto the CR-Z? The resulting sports hybrid is something that’s equally familiar and mysterious—meet the CR-Z Mugen.
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2014 Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ vs 2014 Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Pick-ups—they don’t normally score high when being considered as daily drivers. With the exception of those who actually need the bed (construction or mining people to name a few), they’re not exactly the most ideal vehicles to ferry the kids to school, date the wife, and the dog to his vet appointment. Or are they? Times are changing and pick-ups are just about as refined, sophisticated, and luxurious as some executive sedans. The Ford Ranger, especially in its 3.2 Wildtrak guise is long considered to be tops in this segment. However, Chevrolet seems to have the answer with the 2014 Colorado 2.8 LTZ. Though the changes are headlined by a revamped powertrain, it does get more toys to go head-to-head against the Ranger. The question is: can it win?
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First Drive: 2014 Ford EcoSport 1.5 Titanium

Photos by Ulysses Ang

UPDATE: We included a video of the Ford EcoSport in action.

UPDATE 2: Here is our Full Review of the EcoSport 1.5 Titanium.

HUA HIN, THAILAND – One after the other, Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber blared through the six-speaker system as the sixteen car convoy reached its first stop: a hole-in-the-wall mango and sticky rice shop. Then, everyone whipped out their smartphones and took a snapshot, sharing this newfound discovery with friends and followers through Instagram. This certainly doesn’t seem like your everyday test drive, then again, the Ford EcoSport is not your everyday car. It’s a pioneer in a segment all to its own; a vehicle crafted specifically for the urban warrior.
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Review: 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0 V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

I can’t remember the first time I felt so excited about driving a Toyota Corolla. After all, its reputation precedes it; it’s been the butt of jokes over its dull as cardboard driving experience. But, it’s cemented its reputation as a no-nonsense, ultra-reliable-until-the-world-ends type of car that’s created a following of over 40 million user-choosers. For all intents and purposes, Toyota could have continued churning out Corollas in the same recipe as the original, but instead they injected some new flavors. The question is: is this tangy new twist going to do wonders to the Corolla formula or is this simply the automotive equivalent of New Coke?
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Terrain Conquered: Isuzu D-Max LS 4x4 Visits Ilocos Norte

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Staring out into the distance, the landscape looks hot and barren as far as the eye can see. Amidst the midday sun, it sears the retina with an almost blinding effect. It’s a scene seemingly lifted straight out of the desert planet of Tatooine in Star Wars or Arrakis from Dune. It looks a desolate, foreboding place until your ears pick up the faint hint of an engine at full throttle; and before you know it, a mechanical beast comes into full view, drifting into a 180-degree spin, kicking up the powdery fine sand into the dry, arid air. This is no alien planet; this is the Paoay sand dunes, the personal playground of the Isuzu D-Max.
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