Let’s turn the clock back some five years ago.

In 2018, I was 40 pounds lighter and working part-time as a motoring contributor to help me through graduate school. This was also the year that I started my racing career.

2018 was also when the cars in this list were showroom fresh. Even without the “new car smell,” which is actually a combination of chemicals from the manufacturing process, these models still have plenty of life left in them.

Indeed, five years is typically the time when most companies and a considerable number of car buyers replace their cars, having accounted for maximum depreciation. As such, these low-mileage vehicles (with an average of 50,000 km on the odometer) have already shed most of their value.

Classified according to segment, here are some of the hit cars from 2018.

Small hatchback: Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mitsubishi Mirage already got a facelift in 2018, giving the small hatchback a fresher appearance.

And compared to its rivals like the Toyota Wigo and the old Suzuki Celerio, the Mirage packed the most in terms of safety and performance. Its 1.2-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline-3 gasoline engine pumps out 79 PS and 100 Nm, making this supermini stronger than the rest.

Our pick is the Mirage GLX manual, which has all you need for a little urban runabout, including a light clutch pedal. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) may offer extra convenience but at the expense of reasonable performance.

Subcompact sedan: Honda City

The 2018 Honda City, then known as the GM6, was one of the finest subcompacts of its time.

First introduced in the Philippines on April 2014, the City combined a roomy cabin with good equipment levels and a strong engine. Like the Mirage, the City was already facelifted by this model year, featuring a snazzy new front grill. 

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter, single-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline motor pumping out 117 PS and 145 Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT.

All variants offer great value, although the VX and VX+ models provided plenty of equipment. And if you’re lucky enough to find a manual City, you have the makings of a zippy little race car.

5-seat crossover: Mazda CX-5

The second-generation Mazda CX-5 made its global debut on November 2016.

The Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V may be more well-known crossovers, but they simply cannot match the Mazda's driving dynamics, style, and build quality.

Buyers could also choose from three Skyactiv twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 engines; all mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox:

• 2.0-liter gasoline – 155 PS and 200 Nm of torque

• 2.5-liter gasoline – 190 PS and 251 Nm of torque

• 2.2-liter turbodiesel – 175 PS and 420 Nm of torque

The 2.0-liter, front-wheel-drive model is enough for the majority of crossover shoppers. But if you want more toys or all-wheel drive, there’s no beating the CX-5 turbodiesel, which offers superb refinement and performance.

7-seat multi-purpose vehicle: Toyota Innova

Do you need a big car with seven seats but don’t want to deal with the stress and heft of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV)?

Toyota has the answer – the Innova. In 2018, it did not yet have the gormless face of the later facelifted model.

Although there is a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, the real deal is in the hefty 2.8-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 turbodiesel that produces 171 PS and 360 Nm of torque. This is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.

The Innova E turbodiesel has all you need in a family car, but our choice is the G turbodiesel, which includes a splendid tan interior and cool mood lighting in the roof liner.

7-seat SUV: Mitsubishi Montero Sport

The third-generation Mitsubishi Montero Sport was launched in the Philippines on January 2016.

It represented a huge leap forward from the old model, especially with its 2.4-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 turbodiesel powertrain that produces 180 PS and 430 Nm of torque.

Another innovation was the introduction of an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which was standard in the higher-end models. The 2018 model was the last year before the facelifted version arrived a year later.

We recommend the Montero Sport GLS Premium, which offers all the leather and goodies without the bulk and complication of the GT’s 4x4 system.

What do you think of these picks from 2018?

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