It is easy to see why subcompact crossovers are gaining a lot of popularity in the Philippines right now. Just like a sedan, they are easy to drive, cheap to maintain, and easy on fuel. At the same time, they have high ground clearance, ample cargo space, and flexibility just like an SUV. In short, they simply have the best of both worlds. This is why the Philippine automotive market is going through a gradual shift right now where subcompact crossovers are taking the spot of subcompact sedans little by little. Listed below are the five best budget crossovers in the Philippines, so you can jump in on the trend without breaking the bank.
Ford EcoSport 1.5 Trend M/T – P938,000
Back in 2014, subcompact crossovers weren’t very popular in the Philippines. With the launching of the Ford EcoSport, consumers realized the flexibility of these cars. It is safe to say that the EcoSport brought back the dimming subcompact crossover segment to the limelight again. Even up to this day, the Ecosport remains the third best-selling vehicle of Ford Philippines. Despite being on the market since 2014, the current EcoSport model is still up-to-date because it has received minor updates in 2018 such as exterior refresh, engine rework, and infotainment update. Moreover, EcoSport scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in the Australian NCAP test. It boasts excellent safety features across all variants. Ford EcoSport is powered by a 1.5-liter Inline 4-Cylinder Ti-VCT petrol engine that is capable of 121 Hp and 1150 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission for the base variant.
Geely Coolray 1.5L Comfort A/T – P978,000
We already featured the Geely Coolray before. It’s the best-selling vehicle in the segment right now for a reason. The car is brimming with features that are hard to come by given the price range. Even the base model comes equipped with a push-start button, remote start function, cruise control, daytime running lights, a 10-inch infotainment system, and many more. It also has a posh interior and a powertrain that’s simply the best-in-class. It has a 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged dual VVT engine that’s capable of producing 177Hp and 255Nm of torque, it is mated to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. The only drawback is that Geely is a Chinese brand fairly new to the Philippine market.
Kia Stonic 1.4 LX M/T – P735,000
The Kia Stonic has the most distinct styling in the segment. The car is designed by Peter Schreyer, a German designer widely known for his design contributions to Audi. The combination of clean lines together with the latest Kia design language was able to bag awards from IF Design and the Red Dot Design Awards in 2018. At P735,000, Kia Stonic offers the best price in our list of budget-friendly crossovers in the Philippines. The car comes with modest features such as keyless entry, a navigation system, and an 8-inch infotainment system. It also has a 1.4L gasoline engine with 93Hp and 132Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
MG ZS 1.5 Style M/T – P818,888
When the MG brand was relaunched in the Philippines on October 19, 2018, the brand brought in the MG ZS to compete with the veteran subcompact crossovers in the segment. It sports a bold design with aggressive character lines and some chrome accents on the outside. Inside, the base model has a neat-looking and well-crafted interior despite its fabric seats and plastic panels. The MG GZ is pleasing to the eyes inside and out. It also has features that make every drive more convenient such as tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, and a push-start button. Under the hood, the ZS has a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine capable of 114 Hp and 150 Nm of torque, it is then mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Hyundai Venue 1.6 GL M/T – P915,000
Launched on October 23, 2020 in the Philippines, the Hyundai Venue is Hyundai’s newest subcompact crossover. It incorporates the brand’s latest design language and utilizes the Hyundai Accent’s platform and transmission. With a wheelbase of only 2,520mm, the Venue is certainly one of the most compact crossovers in the market. The car actually looks like a smaller version of the Hyundai Kona and Sta. Fe. Inside, the car is furnished with cloth upholstery across all variants. The seats can be folded down to accommodate more cargo. The Venue has a 1.6L engine producing 121Hp and 151Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
That’s it, guys! That is our list of the best budget subcompact crossovers in the Philippines. They are sure to offer the flexibility you need without breaking the bank.
