Here are some of the locally-launched vehicles in 2022

Many of us would agree that 2022 proved to be a good year for the local automotive industry. That said, we look back at some of the notable cars that came out in the past 12 months.

Audi e-tron

The brand with the four rings have brought to local shores the e-tron family, which consists of the e-tron GT, RS e-tron, and e-tron SUV.

Their arrival in January marked a step up in the local EV scene as the Audi e-tron GT has the potential to make as much as 469hp (up to 523hp in overboost), which shows Filipino adopters that EVs can both be fun and sustainable. The Audi RS e-tron GT has a maximum power output of 590hp (up to 637hp in overboost) while the e-tron SUV can deliver 402hp.

In addition, all three models can travel more than 400 kilometers on a single charge.

Changan CS35 Plus

The Changan CS35 Plus came out in March of 2022. The subcompact crossover offers looks that look both elegant and sporty.

Striking exterior features include its large front grille, 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and dual stainless exhaust pipes.

Power comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that generates 160 horses and 260Nm of pulling power. The powerplant is mated to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

Changan Uni models

Changan also launched the Uni-K and Uni-T crossovers in December this year.

These vehicles are loaded with modern amenities designed with the modern driver in mind. These include a voice control function that can be used to make and receive calls, operate the radio and the AC, and roll the windows up and down.

Changan’s new offerings also get a premium Sony sound system, which allows the vehicles to offer a superior auditory experience.

Geely Emgrand

Geely wowed its Filipino fans when it announced the re-introduction of the Geely Emgrand in February. 

The nameplate was first brought to the Philippine market by the brand’s former distributor, Autochina. Its return to local shores meant that the Hong Kong-based car brand is braving the sedan segment dominated by its Japanese rivals.

Under the Geely Emgrand’s hood is a 1.5-liter engine mated to either a five-speed manual or a CVT with an eight-speed Tiptronic system. It makes 102 horsepower (hp) and 142Nm of torque.

While it does offer satisfactory performance, its strongest suit is its design. The exterior and interior of the fourth-generation Geely Emgrand are very European, and can somewhat be compared to vehicles produced by Volvo — a Geely-owned brand.

Hyundai Stargazer

Not to be outdone, Hyundai also released a new model this November — the Stargazer. While not as flashy as its bigger brother (the Staria), the Stargazer still managed to turn heads. The seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) boasts a futuristic-looking exterior thanks to the horizontal LED strip that highlights its front end.

Speaking of which, under its hood is a 1.5-liter mill that makes 113hp and 144Nm.

Other notable features of the Hyundai Stargazer include the Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance system and its smart controls, which allow owners to start the MPV’s ignition system or roll down and close its windows, remotely.

Kia Carnival

Kia also brought the all-new Carnival to the Philippines this February. It dons a more mature look and a more elegant appeal, befitting the brand’s new image.

The Kia Carnival is touted as a “grand utility vehicle” and boasts luxurious amenities for its seven passengers. These include electronically adjustable seats, sunshade blinds, and a three-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning system.

It also wows occupants with an eight-inch touchscreen audio system with voice control accessibility as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Land Rover Range Rover

Land Rover launched the fifth-generation Ranger Rover in the Philippines in October.

The British SUV utilizes the brand’s new flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex), which can cater to internal combustion, plug-in hybrid, and 100-percent electric powertrains.

The fifth-gen Land Rover Range Rover comes in three engine options, a 3.0-liter plug-in hybrid, a 3.0-liter diesel, and a 4.4-liter gasoline engine. Reportedly, an all-electric Range Rover will join the lineup in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Those who like all things posh will be happy to recall Mercedes-Benz PH’s C-Class launch. The fifth-generation luxury sedan made its way into the Philippine automotive market this August.

Powering the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that makes 170hp and 250Nm of torque. It also comes with an electrified drivetrain with EQ boost mild-hybrid technology.

As a true display of sophistication, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with 64-color ambient lighting, Thermatic dual-zone automatic climate control, an 11.9-inch floating infotainment system, and a 10.25-inch free-standing full digital instrument display.

MG HS

Another vehicle to have been launched in 2022 (March) is the MG HS. This SUV wears a classy and sporty look, perfect for those who want to be aggressively stylish.

The MG HS packs a 1.5-liter mill mated to a seven-speed double-clutch Sportronic transmission. This setup makes 167 horses and 250Nm of torque.

Marketed towards younger drivers, the MG HS is fitted with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Also found inside are electronically-adjusted bucket seats and a panoramic sunroof.

Nissan Livina

The Nissan Livina made a comeback to the local automotive scene in September this year. It competes directly with its twin, the Mitsubishi Xpander.

Separating it from the country’s best-selling MPV is its V-Motion grille.

The Nissan Livina packs a 1.5-liter engine mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission. Nissan’s MPV makes 103.5 horses and 141Nm of torque.

Nissan Kicks e-Power

Nissan expanded its local offering in August 2022 with the arrival of the Kicks e-Power. Continuing its push for sustainable driving in the Philippines, the Nissan Kicks e-Power builds on the foundation laid by the Leaf, the brand’s commercially successful electric vehicle (EV).

While not entirely electric, the Nissan Kicks e-Power boasts a 100-percent electric motor-driven system. This means that the crossover uses a 349-volt EM47 AC Synchronous Motor with a 2.13-kilowatt lithium-ion battery together with its 1.2-liter internal combustion engine (ICE).

Promoting sustainable mobility, the Nissan Kicks e-Power continued to make appearances in various auto shows this year like the 8th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).

Toyota Raize

Launched in February of this year is the Toyota Raize. This compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) was the first vehicle to be launched by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) in 2022.

The Philippine-spec Toyota Raize is powered by either a 1.2-liter powerplant or a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine. These can be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

On paper, the Toyota Raize makes about 87 horses with 113Nm of torque. This means that can put out decent power, making it a fitting daily driver for those who live in the metro.

Despite the global chip shortage that hampered the brand’s production, Toyota said it plans to sell around 1,000 units of the compact SUV a month.

Toyota Veloz

TMP finally separated the Veloz badge from the Avanza nameplate and made it a standalone model this April. Now sporting a larger exterior and more plush interior appointments, the Toyota Veloz gives local car buyers an additional option when shopping for a family vehicle.

Now an SUV, the Toyota Veloz sports a 1.5-liter powerplant mated to a CVT. This setup produces 104 horses with 138Nm of torque.

Other notable features include its aggressive exterior styling, its seven-inch TFT multi-information display, and its nine-inch multimedia display (equipped with Apple Carplay and Android Auto).

 

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Toyota also launched the RAV4 Hybrid in February year. To help the brand push its sustainability efforts in the Philippines, TMP fitted the RAV4 Hybrid with a 2.5-liter ICE paired with a motor generator.

It makes 175 horses with 221Nm of torque.

Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the RAV4 Hybrid shares the same platform as the hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Toyota Corolla Altis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos from Paulo Papa, Ruben Manahan IV, Toyota Motor Philippines, Hyundai Motor Philippines, Audi Philippines, Kia Philippines, and Changan Philippines

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