Disclaimer: Hyundai Philippines lent us a Hyundai Staria unit for a week with a full tank of gas and access to its RFID cards. Remember when Hyundai Philippines launched the Hyundai Starex? It was a hit for the South Korean automaker as it saw a second generation. However, Hyundai had to discontinue the Starex nameplate and replace it with the 2023 Hyundai Staria, its new replacement. We had on loan the family-oriented GLS+ version, which seats 11 passengers but has retained a row of captain sea

The Toyota Land Cruiser J70 series has been on the market for 39 years and has steadily received upgrades to keep it up-to-date and modern. While it officially exited other markets in 1990 when the new Land Cruiser J80 came along, other places such as Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand have kept the SUV alive and on sale. The last update to the J70 series Land Cruiser was in 2007 when it received the 1VD-FTV, a 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 engine. The new engine gave the SUV 205 horsepower and

Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is building its presence in the Philippines with its electrified lineup. But in other parts of the world, the brand also sells Tanks – no, not the ones used on the battlefield. GWM’s Tank brand specializes in luxury sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), with the Tank 300 making its global debut on July 2020. This was followed by the seven-seater Tank 500, unveiled globally on August 2021 and appeared on March 2023 at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Unlike m

In 2019, a viral video of the Japanese Emperor's convoy stopping to give right of way to an ambulance made the rounds in automotive media. Many claimed that the amusing scene would only happen in Japan. How preposterous to expect the highest dignitary in the land to give way to an ambulance carrying one insignificant commoner, right? Well, right, but also wrong. It’s true that, in many countries, heads of state and dignitaries take precedence on the road for security reasons. But seeing that doe

Mitsubishi's obsession with retaining the L300 brand every year is akin to Filipinos' obsession with Voltes V. It's long-standing, occasionally feel-good, sometimes head-scratching, and full of nostalgia. Most local folks feel the same about the Japanese diamond star nameplate. However, the spartan sturdiness of the all-purpose hauler made it a hit (especially in the provinces), so why mess around with a swinging act? The L300 platform can be configured depending on business needs. A ladder fram

The Toyota HiAce has always been a go-to choice for a van or minibus since October 1967. This Japanese-made vehicle is continuously gaining popularity in the country and internationally. In the Philippines, aside from big families, the HiAce is commonly used as a commuter vehicle around the Greater Manila Area. It is also used as an ambulance, company shuttle services, camper van, and an all-around company business car. The Toyota HiAce is also a popular model for high-functioning customization