A close look at the Car(s) of the Year

Well, the envelopes have been handed out and have been ripped apart. And the winner is… (drum roll)… the Honda Accord 3.0 V6!

Yes, Honda’s flagship now wears the title of the 1st Philippine Car of the Year. (It was crowned last February 24 in formal rites at the Rockwell Tent at the Plaza.) We’ve all heard of the American Car of the Year, European Car of the Year and Japan Car of the Year, each of which is chosen from the respective country’s available models and picked by those countries’ motoring journalists. High time the Philippines had one too, right?

We may not realize it, but the Philippines is a veritable treasure chest of cars — an embarrassment of riches that unfortunately isn’t matched by the buying power of the typical Filipino. Mostly because of our lenient laws (i.e. safety, emissions), it’s a lot easier to bring in cars here than in other countries, legally or otherwise. Which is why we have more car models available here than in some more affluent countries.

Which, in turn, makes Honda’s victory all the more impressive. In a country where car marques run the gamut from Audi to Volvo, being singled out by the majority of 46 journalists from 28 different media outfits is no mean feat.

Personally, I’ve always liked the Accord. Solid build quality, intelligent design, impeccable performance — you won’t go wrong with it. Not that there’s anything wrong with its archrival, the Toyota Camry. But slip in the Accord’s most powerful-in-class 240-hp V6 and slick 5-speed automatic transmission and you’ve got a super-smooth leather-lined cruise ship that can effortlessly run (and stop, and corner) with prestigious sports sedans costing millions more. As an overall package, it’s really hard to beat — never mind that the exterior styling (a purely subjective factor) borders on the controversial. Heck, even some new BMWs have love-em-or-hate-em designs.

Speaking of design, hats off to the Mazda 3 for winning Best Overall Design. Whether it’s in sedan or wagon guise, the car’s lines are simply a joy to behold. Even more impressive, its appeal is so universal that all onlookers — young and old, male or female — are unanimous in their praise. The fact that the car rests on an ultra-solid platform that it shares with none other than the new Volvo S40 and the upcoming Ford Focus (Ford owns Mazda and Volvo) is almost lost in the sheer aesthetic triumph that is the Mazda 3.

Other winners? The perennially best-selling Hyundai Starex for Best Van of the Year. No brainer here. Its knockout combination of styling, interior space, performance (especially with the high-powered state-of-the-art common-rail diesel engine of the CRDi variant), riding comfort and value leaves many of its competitors in the dust.

As for AUVs, the Toyota Revo is the undisputed leader in the AUV market but Toyota opted not to send the Revo to the COTY test fest held last October and November in Cavite perhaps in deference to its then-upcoming successor, the recently released Innova. This left the Best AUV of the Year category open to basically just two players: the Isuzu Crosswind and the Mitsubishi Adventure. It was probably a close fight, but in the end, the latter (in its Grand Sport variant) won.

The Best Pickup award goes to the Ford Ranger. Some may wonder why the larger, more powerful and arguably better-looking Isuzu D-MAX failed to clinch the accolade. (The new Toyota Hilux hadn’t been launched yet in time for the COTY test fest.) I surmise that the Ranger’s solid combination of impressively high build quality, supple (for a pickup) ride, and very strong performance from its smoothest-in-class intercooled turbo-diesel 12-valve engine swung the votes the other way.

One of the more popular categories for testers and buyers alike is the subcompact car. This genre fell under Best Super Mini under the Car of the Year categorization. The class includes locally available cars with engine displacements of 1.0 liter up to 1.5 liters. These can either be sedans or hatchbacks. The winner? Toyota’s Vios. This car came out with "the fastest acceleration, best value and market appeal among its competitors," according to the official COTY press release. Personally, I love the Vios’ perky styling and energetic performance. Overall however, I would have given the nod to the Honda Jazz and City platform twins, especially when factoring in their sheer cabin roominess, ingenious cargo-carrying versatility, stunning fuel efficiency, impressively high build quality and technologically advanced continuously variable transmissions (CVT).

Another category close to my heart is that of Best Sports Compact of the Year. This category covers compact sedans with engine displacements of 1.6 liters up to 2.0 liters. According to the COTY press release, "the winner of the Best Sports Compact of the Year award bested its competitors during the test fest with adrenalin-rushing acceleration, raw power and boy-racer looks. The test vehicle also exhibited outstanding performance despite its high mileage and tough life as a media test unit attesting to its durability and build quality." The car? None other than the Ford Lynx RS 2.0. It’s just amazing how shoehorning a powerful 2.0-liter motor under the hood of a car that’s always been happy with its 1.6-liter engine can totally transform its character. Just like Popeye after a serving of spinach, the Lynx RS totally blows away the competition. Big 16-inch wheels with sticky high-performance tires, sporty white meter gauges, drilled aluminum pedals, strut-tower bars and Recaro-like bucket seats underscore the performance potential of this pocket rocket — but none more so than the fact that it comes only with a slick-shifting 5-speed manual gearbox. No automatics for pretenders and posers. The Lynx RS is the real deal — and every car buff worthy of his or her racing cap ought to experience one.

As for the Best Light SUV of the Year (mini SUVs with engine displacements that range from 2.0 liter to 3.0 liters with two- or four-wheel-drive), the winner is the Nissan X-Trail 250X. It’s got understatedly elegant styling that doesn’t seem to age, high-tech plastic fenders that resist dings and will never rust and a very sophisticated four-wheel-drive system. COTY testers noted that "it displayed the acceleration of a car, the utility of an SUV and the riding comfort of a luxury sedan." I did think, however, that Mitsubishi’s perennially overlooked Outlander would more than give the Nissan a run for its money. The Outlander has an equally advanced drivetrain, similar dynamic performance, superior fit and finish, better riding comfort not to mention better overall refinement. Then there are also the Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute twins, all of which had a good shot at the title. This is probably the toughest fought category.

The Best Luxury SUV of the Year category probably had the widest range of engines ranging from 3.5-liter V6s to mammoth 6.0-liter diesel V8s. According to the COTY release, "the Best Luxury SUV of the Year surprised everyone with its smooth operation, car-like civility and balanced package. It proved attuned to the local driving conditions and the manner by which luxury SUVs are used in the country. Its greatest claim to fame is its 6-cylinder engine that has the power of a V8." And the title goes to the Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT. No doubt the Ford Explorer/Expedition, the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and the Mitsubishi Pajero — my personal choice and no, I’m not under the payroll of Mitsubishi — were in the running (the Isuzu Trooper and Nissan Patrol are simply too far along their product lifecycles to be competitive with the much newer brutes) but, in the final tally, the Traiblazer was it.

No need to announce the winner of the Best Executive Sedan of the Year as it happens to be the Overall Car of the Year, the Honda Accord 3.0 V6. Cars in this class are mid-sized sedans powered by engines ranging from 2.0-liter fours to 2.5-liter V6s all the way to 3.0-liter V6s.

For the Best Luxury Sedan of the Year, entries are comprised of premium luxury sedans with engines ranging from 2.5 to 3.0-liter sixes including a high-tech German diesel. The winner "displayed the best characteristics of a sporty luxury sedan, with performance and safety features that will satisfy even the most discriminating clientele. It competed closely with another European luxury sedan and eventually edged its competitor when the price was factored in." That car is the Volvo S60 T5. Despite what folks from the German luxury car manufacturers would say, Volvo is right up there when it comes to engineering and technological leadership, particularly in the area of safety. Luxury, as well as the level of creature comforts and amenities, is far from wanting. And that’s even before you drop in a turbocharger that allows the T5 model to run away from competitors in its price range.

Last but not least is the Best Ultra Luxury Sedan, otherwise known as the cars that cost more than a four-bedroom house. The winner, the BMW 745 Li, exemplified the cost-no-object stature by delivering a scorching acceleration time of 6.8 seconds to 100 kph (despite it weighing as much as a Ford Expedition), boasting an ultra-luxurious gadget-laden interior and highly advanced features and specifications and, of course, a heart-stopping price.

Overall, the 1st Philippine Car of the Year, organized by the Car Awards Group Inc. and presented by the Automobile Association of the Philippines, was a good and worthy effort that should go a long way in helping to develop the rapidly maturing local automotive industry. A debt of gratitude, therefore, to its sponsors: Standard Insurance Company, Inc., Manila North Luzon Tollways Corporation, Caltex, Bridgestone Tires, Bosch, Reebok, Coca Cola Exports, and Hizon’s Catering. The 1st Philippine COTY awards were held in cooperation with The Manila Motor Show and Rockwell Land Corporation. And we eagerly await next year’s winners.

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While the Backseat Driver had to make way for our Car of the Year story last week, these backseat drivers still had to say their piece…

Wild pedicab drivers are scaring to death motorists at Bacood, Sta. Mesa. Are they in any way licensed to drive public transport? — 09178459239

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Tricycles are allowed freely along Kamias Road though signage there says they shouldn’t be allowed. — 09178490802

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Are armored vans exempt from traffic regulations? I have seen several of these vehicles doing counterflows and disregarding traffic lights. — 09178557906

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The corner of Rizal Avenue and Tayuman in Manila has become a PUJ terminal and a mini talipapa! — 09187432160

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Old Sta. Mesa corner Teresa street always traffic due to jeepneys waiting for passengers and barkers are rampant even with the police around. — 09175286049

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CM Recto corner Legarda always traffic caused by waiting jeepneys on the way to Divisoria. The traffic aides present do not do anything. — 09157453245

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Just a follow up on the jeepneys waiting for passengers in the middle of Congressional Avenue near Muñoz. They still create traffic. — 09176210060

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Some lazy idiots still insist on jaywalking along Roxas Boulevard in Baclaran, while the cops look the other way. — 09175208429

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I hope driving schools will also teach their students the proper use of the roads and not just how to drive. — 09176228517

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Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text PHILSTAR<space>FB<space>MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2333 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 334 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber.