Car Features - Top 10 Most Viewed New Car Profiles

Since adding new cars to the mix last July, we had tracked them in which more views meant their popularity and people searching them had interest. Half of them were sub-compacts, three mid-size SUVs (one is an anticipated vehicle, which we posted a day before its launch), and two MPVs. Unlike the most searched vehicles released by Google Philippines, the results are different from us (maybe we started late though).

Other cars like the Honda Brio and Brio Amaze, Toyota Vios (which, surprisingly, didn't make the list), and Mitsubishi Lancer EX were follow ups.

So we shall give to you the most viewed vehicle profiles

10. Hyundai Accent Hatchback

9. Honda City

8. Isuzu Crosswind

7. Mitsubishi Mirage

6. Toyota Fortuner

5. Toyota Innova

4. Mitsubishi Mirage G4

3. Mitsubishi Montero Sport

2. Toyota Wigo

1. Isuzu MU-X

Car Features - 2014 Ultimate Car Guide Car of the Year

2014 was a year to remember, especially for the automotive industry. Lots of exciting introductions greeted consumers and enthusiasts alike. While some names went away (Sentra, Alterra, Teana), some got new bodies (Altis, Mazda 3, City, C Class, X-Trail), and some were new names (MU-X, Wigo, Ecosport, Ertiga), it was the year to be in since consumers have a lot of choices to pick. With the industry hitting the 200k mark, things are getting thrilling.

First of all, this Car of the Year award does not aim any manufacturer and the choices are the opinions of the writers/contributors here. Voting process is done individually to avoid any voting manipulation here.

The question here is "what car released in 2014 made a huge impact to the consumer and to the market while having some impact to the manufacturer itself." Every writer/contributor have to pick five cars and rank them from 5 with the highest to 1 being the lowest. Results will be published here for transparency, as well as the reason why the writers/contributors chose that car.

The nominees:

• BMW 4 Series
• BMW X4
• BMW X5
• Ford Ecosport
• Honda Accord
• Honda Brio and Brio Amaze
• Honda City
• Honda Jazz
• Hyundai Grand i10
• Hyundai Grand Santa Fe
• Isuzu MU-X
• Jeep Cherokee
• Kia Soul
• Lamborghini Hurracan
• Lexus NX
• Lexus RC
• Mazda 3
• Mercedes Benz C Class
• Nissan Altima
• Nissan Sylphy
• Nissan X-Trail
• Porsche Macan
• Peugeot 208 GT
• Peugeot Expert Tepee
• Subaru WRX/WRX STi
• Suzuki Ertiga
• Tata cars
• Toyota Corolla Altis
• Toyota Wigo
• Toyota Yaris
• Volkswagen Beetle

THE RESULTS

1st Place - Mazda 3

2nd Place - Honda City

3rd Place - Ford Ecosport

The overall results:

Mazda 3 - 19 points

Honda City - 6 points

Ford Ecosport - 5 points

Toyota Wigo - 4 points

Nissan Sylphy - 4 points
Lamborghini Hurracan - 4 points
Isuzu MU-X - 4 points

Nissan X-Trail - 4 points

Suzuki Ertiga - 3 points
Lexus RC - 3 points

Toyota Corolla Altis - 1 point

Honda Jazz - 1 point

Subaru WRX/WRX STi - 1 point

How we voted

Myk's Picks:

1st. Mazda 3 (5 Points) 

- This gets the top choice since this car brought a lot of fanfare and anticipation. What made the car significant is the SkyActiv engine and the driving feel, which the 3 is known for, plus good looks to boot. Mazda had a winner in their hands.

2nd. Toyota Wigo (4 Points)

- With the Vios getting pricier, the money is now on the economy car class (but not the largest in market share). Well slapping a Toyota in a Daihatsu vehicle and pricing it lower. Despite having some rough edges, what mattered is the value.

3rd. Ford Ecosport (3 Points)

- Everyone wants an SUV but not all can afford it. With the flooding around us, then Ford gave us the Ecosport since for the price of an Altis, you can have something that has a higher ride even for under a million bucks. This is not an SUV substitute, though.

4th. Isuzu MU-X (2 Points)

- The Alterra was a sales laggard, so the MU-X's arrival had to make an impact for the brand. And the impact was large since many were anticipating on this car. While it may lack power on paper or have similar cues with the Trailblazer, the Isuzu badge made it a winner.

5th. Honda City (1 Point)

- Many people had their eyes on the new model, which was normal for a car ending its life. One big impact is the VX+ variant that had a lot of amenities for the competition and the price as well. 

Isaac's Picks:

1st. Honda City/Jazz (5 Points)

- It's groundbreaking in every single way, shaming rivals costing much, especially in space, refinement, and technology. Honda went all-out with these two subcompacts.

2nd. Mazda 3 (4 Points)

- It brought back excitement in the compact segment. It had a sexy design, possess a high quality interior, and has a sporty driving dynamics which is a hallmark.

3rd. Nissan X-Trail (3 Points)

- This vehicle was the bet of Nissan in bringing back their brand in the Philippines. Its a rare specie, being one of the few crossovers that can actually go off-road while others are limited to the off-road show.

4th. Lexus NX (2 Points)

- Like the Lexus IS, it turned the brand from a boring maker to something exciting. Not all may like it (due to its polarizing looks), but one thing's for sure, it is a lot more distinctive and instantly recognizable than those generic rivals and will leave a lasting impression, good or bad. And isn't leaving an impression that Lexus wants nowadays?

5th. Toyota Corolla Altis (1 Point)

- Boring design no more. Excitement has finally been injected to this compact sedan. It has rejuvenated the boring image that are associated with Toyotas.

Steve's Picks:

1st. Mazda 3 (5 Points)

- Top points for being a #gamechanger. It lives by the mantra it is being marketed by Mazda. Suddenly, everyone in the class had to catch-up.

2nd. Nissan Sylphy (4 Points)

- Four points for being a nice new comeback product for Nissan. It offers most value in the segment, reasonable content, and should satisfy the needs and priorities of the average Juan's requirement for an everyday ride. I find it a more superior product than the Altis in any variant. One could only wonder if NPI would introduce a Sylphy with Super Sentra like in Taiwan when it comes to content at the price of TOTL rivals.

3rd. Suzuki Ertiga (3 Points)

- Thee points for upping up the ante in the sub-compact family MPV class. It offers three variants with a stylish interior and exterior, reasonable feature content and pricing, and a refinement better than the Avanza. No wonder it was an Indonesian favorite. I would have pushed it higher in the list if it comes with the 1.3 Multijet diesel engine found in the Chevrolet Spin.

4th. Ford Ecosport (2 Points)

- Two points for being such a perfect urban getaway car. It offers sprightly dynamics, upmarket vibe in its interior and the Titanium's deluxe features. Its multi-confrontational interior makes it a practical choice for people with active lifestyles and the 550mm wading capacity appeals to people living in flood prone areas.

5th. Subaru WRX/WRX STi (1 Point)

- One phrase: value for money fun.

Edchelle's Picks:

1st. Mazda 3 (5 Points)
- It's styling, engine technology, driving dynamics, competitive price, and the toys in its class had made me choose the Mazda 3 as my top pick.

2nd. Lamborghini Hurracan (4 Points)
- It's redesigned V10 engine and new technologies that can be found in it and its design made it my second choice.

3rd, Lexus RC (3 Points)
- My third choice because of its engineering and innovations due to its V8 engine from the IS F and the chassis. Lexus was able to develop a car that can live-up and wear an F badge.

4th. Isuzu MU-X (2 Points)
- The versatility and comfort plus the variants made it to my fourth choice.

5th. Nissan X-Trail (1 Point)

Car Profiles - Isuzu MU-X

ISUZU MU-X

Essentially the second generation Alterra, the MU-X just arrived recently (it debuted at Thailand last year) with lots of changes and the expansion of line-up. While you may say it resembles the Trailblazer, it does since it is its twin. A star in Isuzu's limited line-up.

The Good: Very refined for an Isuzu

The Bad: 

Price Range: P1,188,000-P1,748,000

Our Rating: ****

Last Update: September 8, 2014. Many thanks to AJ Bartolome of Isuzu Cavite.

OWNERSHIP DETAILS	LS-A 4x4	LS-A 4x2	LS-M 4x2	LS 4x2
Price	P1,748,000 - Additional P10,000 for Silky Pearl White	P1,358,000 - Additional P10,000 for Silky Pearl White	P1,260,000 - Additional P10,000 for Silky Pearl White	P1,188,000 - Additional P10,000 for Silky Pearl White
Warranty	3 Years or 100,000kms	3 Years or 100,000kms	3 Years or 100,000kms	3 Years or 100,000kms
ENGINE SPECS
Engine	4JK1-TC (HI) 2.5 DOHC 16V I4 with Turbo Intercooler and Variable Geometry System	4JK1-TC (HI) 2.5 DOHC 16V I4 with Turbo Intercooler and Variable Geometry System	4JK1-TC (HI) 2.5 DOHC 16V I4 with Turbo Intercooler and Variable Geometry System	4JK1-TC (HI) 2.5 DOHC 16V I4 with Turbo Intercooler and Variable Geometry System
Horsepower	134hp @ 3,400rpm	134hp @ 3,400rpm	134hp @ 3,400rpm	134hp @ 3,400rpm
Torque	320Nm @ 1,800-2,800rpm	320Nm @ 1,800-2,800rpm	320Nm @ 1,800-2,800rpm	320Nm @ 1,800-2,800rpm
Fuel Type	Diesel	Diesel	Diesel	Diesel
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Common Rail Direct Injection	Common Rail Direct Injection	Common Rail Direct Injection
Transmission	5-Speed Automatic	5-Speed Automatic	5-Speed Manual	5-Speed Manual
Fuel Tank Capacity	65 Liters	65 Liters	65 Liters	65 Liters
DIMENSIONS
Length	4,825mm	4,825mm	4,825mm	4,825mm
Width	1,860mm	1,860mm	1,860mm	1,860mm
Height	1,840mm	1,840mm	1,830mm	1,825mm
Wheelbase	2,845mm	2,845mm	2,845mm	2,845mm
Curb Weight	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style	5 Door SUV	5 Door SUV	5 Door SUV	5 Door SUV
Engine/Drive Type	Front Engine/Four Wheel Drive	Front Engine/Rear Wheel Drive	Front Engine/Rear Wheel Drive	Front Engine/Rear Wheel Drive
Seating	7	7	7	7
SUSPENSION & TIRES
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone with Coil Spring and Stabilizer Bar	Double Wishbone with Coil Spring and Stabilizer Bar	Double Wishbone with Coil Spring and Stabilizer Bar	Double Wishbone with Coil Spring and Stabilizer Bar
Rear Suspension	Five Link Coil Spring and Stabilizer	Five Link Coil Spring and Stabilizer	Five Link Coil Spring and Stabilizer	Five Link Coil Spring and Stabilizer
Front Brakes	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes	Solid Disc	Solid Disc	Solid Disc	Leading and Trailing Drums
Tires	225/65 R17	225/65 R17	245/70 R16	245/70 R16
Wheels	17 Inch Alloy	17 Inch Alloy	16 Inch Alloy	16 Inch Alloy
SAFETY
Airbags	2	2	2	2
Anti-Lock Brakes	Yes, with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist	Yes, with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist	Yes, with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist	Yes
Traction/Stability Control	Yes, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System	Yes, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System	None	None
Other Safety Features	Adds: None	Adds: Reverse Parking Camera	Adds: Engine Immobilizer, Reverse Parking Sensors	LED High Mount Stop Lamp
EXTERIOR
Fog Lamps	Front	Front	Front	None
Other Exterior Features	Adds: None	Adds: Chrome Radiator Grille	Adds: Metallic Grey Radiator Grille, Body Color/Metallic Grey Engine Hood Garnish, Body Color Door Handles and Side Mirrors, Roof Rails, Chrome Tail Gate Garnish	Material Gray Engine Hood Garnish, Radiator Grille and Tail Gate Garnish, Body Color/Black Bumpers, Black Door Handles and Side Mirrors, Rear Wiper, Tow Hook, Side Stepboard
INTERIOR
Steering Wheel Adjustment	Tilt	Tilt	Tilt	Tilt
Steering Wheel Material	Leather	Leather	Leather	Urethane
Seating Adjustment	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual
Seating Material	Leather	Leather	Upgraded Fabric	Fabric
Other Interior Features	Adds: None	Adds: 10 Inch Roof Mounted DVD Monitor with Remote Control	Adds: Multi Information Display, Illuminating Glove Box	60/40 Fold 2nd Row Seat, Foldable 3rd Row, 12V Accessory Socket
CONVENIENCE FEATURES
Power Amenities	Steering, Windows, Door Locks (with Speed Sensing), Mirrors with Fold	Steering, Windows, Door Locks(with Speed Sensing) , Mirrors with Fold	Steering, Windows, Door Locks (with Speed Sensing), Mirrors with Fold	Steering, Windows, Door Locks, Mirrors
Climate Control	Automatic	Automatic	Manual	Manual
Audio System	Touchscreen AM/FM/CD/DVD/VCD/MP3/USB/Ipod with Navigation System	Touchscreen AM/FM/CD/DVD/VCD /MP3/USB/Ipod with Navigation System	Touchscreen AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB with Navigation System	1DIN AM/FM/CD/MP3/USB with Navigation System
Speakers	6	6	6	6
Steering Wheel Controls	Yes, Audio	Yes, Audio	None	None
Alarm	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Keyless Entry	Yes, Push Button Start	Yes, Push Button Start	Yes	Yes
RIVALS	Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Toyota Fortuner

See previous generation models of the MU-X

Isuzu Alterra (2005-2014)