Largely wonderful weather this last week! As the holiday season draws near, it’s been clear skies with cool, refreshing breezes that can help us lay off the air-conditioning (and, consequently, bring our sky-high electric bills down). Despite the chilliness rolling in, it’s been a hot week for one Asian carmaker – and for once, it isn’t from China! Hyundai Philippines launched two new models last week and is mulling over bringing even more. The South Korean company is among your five favorite st

Can you imagine a day without using your smartphone? I find the mere prospect absolutely tantalizing – no social media, no emails, no instant messaging. It will feel like 1998 all over again! But the stress that we get from our smartphones is actually a consequence of how immensely capable mobile technology has become. Instead of having to carry a cellphone, a camera and a laptop for work (as we did in the olden days), the smartphone has integrated all essential functions into one handy unit. An

The BMW 3 Series has long been the benchmark for compact luxury sedans, combining superb driving dynamics with German refinement and quality. But in the Philippines, one rival beat out the 3 Series in the sales stakes. And it comes from Japan. Lexus Philippines said in a February 2023 press statement that the Lexus IS was the country’s best-selling model in its class in 2022, according to data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI). “Since the debut of its f

One of Suzuki’s most famous people carriers will soon come with numerous exterior and interior upgrades, but it’s made even better as it will soon boast a mild-hybrid powerplant. Dubbed by Suzuki as the “Smart Hybrid Technology,” it utilizes a K15 engine that’s mated to an integrated starter generator (ISG) and a 6Ah 12-volt lithium-ion battery. Power to the wheels continues to be sent through a 4-speed automatic transmission. Factory rated to put out 104.7 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and torque lev

Long before its recent launch, the 2022 Subaru WRX was much awaited by car enthusiasts, especially race car drivers, who were looking forward to a better and bolder sport compact car. The WRX draws its inspiration from when Subaru joined and won the World Rallying Championship manufacturer's trophies from 1995 to 1997, along with the driver's championships in 1995, 2001, and 2003. Indeed, it has several attributes that make it one of the most sought-after high-performance cars. Its specification

Ask any self-respecting motorists about what combination of factors constitutes an "ideal car" and they would, in a lightning-fast jiffy respond that they want these three exceptional elements; outstanding performance, environmentally friendly, and fuel-efficient er, cars. Then morosely observed as he/she blabbers on about how this particularly latest car model has that compendium of slickest features, futuristic-looking specs, blah-blah, so on, and so forth with their incessant mouthing off unt