STAR Top Picks of 2015

It’s that time of the year when the Motoring columnists of The Philippine STAR put together their collective heads and choose their five top picks from all the new cars launched in 2015. As always, the choice gets harder than ever with a dizzying array of new models rolling off showroom floors this year plus the relentless improvement of just about every model from every brand from every country. Bar none. 

Truth be told, we were torn having to whittle down our choice down to five. A Top 10 Pick selection would’ve been much easier—but we would’ve run out of space. Besides, we (occasionally) like to make things more difficult for ourselves. That way, you, dear reader, also gets assured that the automobiles that make their way to the top of this list are truly the cream of the crop.

Naturally, six individuals (Atty. Karen Jimeno, STAR Motoring editor Manny de los Reyes, Angel Rivero, Ulysses Ang, James Deakin, and Kap Maceda Aguila) each picking their five favorite vehicles will reflect their individual preferences. Hence, you’ll find cars that are as disparate as the people who chose them.

Here they are, without further ado…

Karen’s Picks

1. Rolls-Royce Phantom

This car will truly make you feel like you’re sitting in the lap of luxury. It has large legroom, incredibly comfortable premium leather seats, real wood accents, and a refrigerator that fits wine or champagne. From the engine to the interiors, the Phantom exemplifies Rolls-Royce’s unsurpassed craftsmanship.

2. Chrysler 300C

This luxury sedan is elegant and offers some of the most technologically advanced features—without breaking your bank account. Its TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission with 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivers 286 horsepower, but is fuel-efficient. The interiors are beautiful with careful attention to detail. Gives a lot of bang for your buck.

3. Toyota Land Cruiser

This 4x4 SUV is reliable and tough, yet elegant. A true powerhouse—its 5.7-liter V8 engine with eight-speed automatic transmission delivers 381 horsepower, and can tow up to 8,500 pounds. The interiors have a luxurious feel with new modern features like a wireless phone charger and cooler box. 

4. Volkswagen Touareg

A midsize SUV that’s classy, understated, powerful but exceptionally fuel-efficient. Its 3.0-liter V6 Common Rail Turbo Direct-Injection diesel engine produces 240 horsepower. Fuel efficiency is around 12 km/liter for highway driving, or in my experience, going from BGC to Baguio and back without reaching half of its 85-liter tank.

5. Mazda MX-5 Miata

An iconic compact sports car that looks and feels fun, for all age types. Drives smoothly with its 2.0-liter SKYACTIV gasoline direct-injection engine. The interiors mix sleek modern look with vintage feel. This car evokes love and passion from drivers, as members of the Miata Club have attested.

Angel’s Picks

1. Subaru Levorg

It’s not very often that you find the practicality of a tourer with an honest design, feel and performance of a sports car—but the Subaru Levorg gives you just that. Equipped with a newly developed boxer engine and Subaru’s trademark all-wheel symmetrical drive while exploiting bountiful load space, it is awesome for family-oriented motorists who appreciate driving excitement.

2. Honda Mobilio

The brand’s first ever 7-seater multi-purpose utility vehicle (MUV), the Honda Mobilio is arguably the most-comfortable and most upscale vehicle locally available in its segment. Its flexible seats, agreeable amenities and delightfully spacious cabin alongside notable fuel economy, all make this vehicle an attractive choice for the Filipino families who seek a more sedan-like driving experience.

3. Toyota Hilux

Consistent with Toyota’s uber-robust brand image, the all-new Hilux carries an equally formidable reputation as the King of Pick-up’s, and with good reason! This reinvented, 8th-generation Hilux is the only one in its class to strut a rear differential lock; and its intelligent manual transmission system (iMT) – which automatically ‘blips’ or matches engine with transmission speed – sets it apart from the rest.

4. Ferrari 488 GTB

(Gran Turismo Berlinetta)

There’s pretty much no room to go wrong with a Ferrari, as long as you can afford one! Upon first glance of the 488 GTB, the beauty immediately called out to me and evoked special emotions, just as it was meant to. Drawing from many of its technologies from Formula 1 and endurance racing, the automaker claims that even non-professional drivers can learn to properly handle its extreme power. Oh, and the sounds this car produces is but music to the ears!

5. Mazda MX-5

There’s absolutely no denying that the MX-5 is an attention magnet – the lightweight 2-seater practically ‘owned’ Mazda’s highly-praised Kodo design language; and made it quite cozy inside, too. Being an affordable, open-top, hot roadster is among its bestselling points, not to mention that it is an extremely rewarding car to drive. Undeniably a charmer, I still think it looks best from behind the wheel!

Manny’s Picks

1. Hyundai i20 Cross Sport

Here’s a cheeky little (but surprisingly spacious) crossover that’s punching above its weight. It looks perky and sporty in a Mini Cooper kind of way. It’s raised ground clearance shouts “off-road vehicle” even if it’s really just front-wheel drive (like many of its rivals). It has impressively high build quality inside and out and equally impressive low NVH levels. Choices between a petrol automatic and a very torquey CRDi diesel with a sweet-shifting six-speed manual puts the i20 Cross Sport in a class of its own.

2. Mazda3

For compact sedan honors, it was almost a toss-up between the newly face-lifted Ford Focus with its incredible arsenal of high-tech gadgetry and the all-new Mazda3. They’re both fun-to-drive and come in sedan and hatchback versions. But the well-built Mazda3 is simply such a joy to behold that I found myself slowing down (when I was in a rush) just to admire its Jaguaresque lines. Its highly efficient yet engaging SkyActive drivetrain is just the icing on the cake.    

3. Ford Everest

The ugly duckling turns into a swan. Make that a ruggedly handsome all-conquering sport-utility swan that’s nothing less than a game-changer. Try out the top-of-the-line Titanium edition with all its luxury SUV bells and whistles, its creamy soft leather seats, and its much more supple ride, and you might never use that big gasoline-engined SUV in your garage. The all-new Ford Everest is that luxurious. And it’s that good.  

4. Honda Mobilio

I’ve always a big fan of compact 7-seaters since the Mitsubishi Space Wagon debuted way back in 1992. Today we have a veritable buffet serving up the Toyota Avanza, Chevy Spin, Nissan Grand Livina (is that still in the market?), Suzuki Ertiga, and Honda Mobilio. The Ertiga is arguably the best when price is factored in but for a little more money, the Mobilio is the absolute best, especially when you factor in overall cabin efficiency, engine/fuel efficiency, build quality, and that unquantifiable but equally important fun-to-drive factor that Honda is famous for.   

5. Nissan Juke

People who doubt that Nissan is back need look no further than the Juke. If you want an eye magnet without having to splurge on an impractical top-down two-seater or a big V8 muscle car, the Juke will deliver that for you at a relative sub-P1-million bargain price. This is styling straight out of a concept car design. And even if it’s a love-it-or-hate-it look, hats off still to Nissan for being cheeky enough to create—and bring to the Philippines—this kind of car. That it’s actually practical and superbly put together seals the deal.

Uly’s Picks

1. Mazda6 Sports Wagon

I just can’t give enough love for the Mazda6. The formula always veered away from the executive car norm for something only driver-owners would appreciate. But now? With the appearance of a sexy wagon body? Everything is perfect. The automotive gods have spoken and the planets have all aligned giving me a lovely, fun-to-drive, tremendously capable, well-finished, and surprisingly frugal executive wagon.

2. Mazda MX-5

It’s hard for any car with a 25-year nameplate to outdo its legendary originator, but the Mazda MX-5 does just that. This is a car that manages to nail everything so convincingly I seriously considered selling a kidney to get one. In Soul Red. Compared to any other car this year, it’s one that’s packaged so well. It’s pretty hard to beat and would have loved to name it my Top Pick of 2015, but because it’s too much of an extrovert, I just can’t take the added attention.

3. Ford Ranger

This is the year of the pickup truck. But the Ranger still delivers the best all-around experience thanks to its approach using smart tech and premium features. Though it can’t claim class-leading numbers on all aspects anymore, it still is the most convincing choice. It’s the easiest to drive, the most sophisticated in design and execution, and definitely unbeatable in value.

4. Volkswagen Golf GTI

Admittedly, I was on the minority when I wasn’t smitten with the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Aside from the high price tag, it had a laggy infotainment system and chintzy tartan fabric seats. However, I take it back. Why? Because, if you want a car that can do the mundane as well as the exciting, this car has it down pat.

5. Honda Odyssey

MPV’s are hard to get excited about because you do expect a chauffeur to drive it for you. But not so with the Honda Odyssey. Thanks to manageable proportions, I actually enjoyed piloting it around town even if I rarely had more than two occupants at any given time. What’s more, it pushes all the right enthusiast buttons: it’s nicely designed, well-finished, and actually sporty.

James’ Picks

1. Ford Everest

There are contenders, then there are Connor McGregors. If you’re not a UFC fan, I’m basically talking about loudmouths that come from nowhere (relatively) and create an impossible amount of hype to live up to. But 13 seconds after stepping in the ring, they end up shocking the entire division and sending ripple effects to even the ones above it. That’s the Ford Everest in a nutshell. A game-changer.

2. Ferrari 488 GTB

Ok, I had to throw one supercar in here. Problem was, which one? Aston Martin also launched this year. Same goes for Lotus. And the new 911’s. There really should be a separate category for them. But as there is none for now, I had to go with this. Not for anything else but that I was able to get my hands on this beast in Italy this year. And life has never been the same since. This could be the most perfect Ferrari yet.

3. Nissan Navara

Who doesn’t love a good comeback? And Nissan have done it with the Navara. Fantastic styling, majorly improved comfort, 7-speed automatic, thrifty diesel engine, plus an entirely reimagined brand locally. What’s not to love?

4. Mazda Miata

The new Miata represents a time when motoring was as carefree as the ads had us believe; and this modern interpretation of a 90’s classic has lost nothing in translation. If freedom took on a shape, it would look like this. Simple. Fun. Affordable. Rinse and repeat. Yet you’d be surprised how some sport car manufacturers still manage to screw that formula up. Thankfully Mazda hasn’t. Probably because they wrote the recipe.

5. Subaru Levorg

It took a quirky company like Subaru to inject some much-needed love back into the quirky wagon segment. While everyone is playing it safe with crossovers and SUVs, it’s nice that Subaru brought some old school back into the mix. Priced at around 1.7M, this car is not for everyone. And thank goodness for that. At least you can be guaranteed that exclusivity will be kept intact.

Kap’s Picks

1.  Ferrari 488 GTB

Truly, you could count – and maybe on one hand – the number of individuals blessed with both inclination and financial capacity to procure a unit of this rarefied exotic. But its unattainability doesn’t preclude this enshrinement of the hallowed 458 Italia’s worthy successor into this pantheon of picks. I’m even willing to forgive Ferrari for – as Car and Driver so eloquently put it – letting two turbochargers “(invade) the holy sanctum of a Ferrari engine compartment.” Numbers across the board for the drool-worthy 488 GTB, from horsepower to downforce generation, point to an improvement over its elder sibling. I’ll take it.

2.  Audi Q7

What a difference a decade makes. The second-generation of Audi’s family-size SUV is back with new toys and an updated utility belt. It’s lighter, quicker, and attains contradictory qualities via shrinking on the outside and growing on the inside. Roomy but compact? Absolutely. It isn’t hard on the eyes, either.

3.  Honda Mobilio

Seats seven; promises much more. Why let Toyota have all the fun, when there clearly is a buying segment with a love for budget people-movers? Gifted with Honda-esque accoutrements and practicality, the Mobilio is also amply powered – brimming with value-for-money propositions that you know the brand for.

4.  Peugeot 308

When is a station wagon a hatchback? When it’s a Peugeot 308. Yes, the same badge offers a total of four flavors in two iterations. The station wagon (or estate) boasts a longer wheelbase and larger luggage compartment, while the hatch “allows for versatility and driving comfort.” Whichever you choose, the 308 is a pleasantly priced crossover that not only expands the French brand’s footprint in the Philippines but surely its relevance in a crossover-crazy market.

5.  BMW 2 Series

Active Tourer

Chalk it up to chutzpah, but the leading premium carmaker isn’t about to let an acronym (MPV or multi-purpose vehicle) get in the way of a timely product (the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer). Blessed with space, headroom, and and a frugal 1.5-liter BMW Twin Power Turbo with a trio of cylinders, this car is the first front-wheel driver in the stable.

And the winner is…

Sixteen cars got one vote each. Two vehicles (Ford Everest and Subaru Levorg) got two votes each. Two vehicles (Honda Mobilio and Ferrari 488 GTB) got three votes. And only one vehicle got more votes than any of them. And that it the one and only Mazda MX-5/Miata, which received four votes from six different writers.

With the Ferrari getting just one less vote, sports cars seem to be the flavor of the year for STAR Motoring. Kudos, however, goes to the Mazda MX-5/Miata for being the STAR Top Pick of 2015!