For the Car Enthusiast: New Car Launches this 2019 to Look Out For

Projected Price: starts at SRP PhP1,450,000

Fans of Toyota’s compact SUV are in for a treat with the arrival of the latest iteration of the RAV4.

The hybrid 2019 Toyota RAV4 is the fifth in Japanese brand’s best-selling line of SUV and has evolved into a mighty crossover that boasts of improved power, handling, and overall appeal. The more rugged façade, which Toyota calls as its “cross-octagon” style, shows off a two-tiered upper and lower trapezoidal grille at the front, and a creased octagonal rear for a more sporty and aggressive look.

The dashboard’s instrument cluster adopts the Entune 3.0, a seven-inch multi-information system that includes Amazon Alexa connectivity, and has USB ports and an ample inductive charge pad. It also has a larger cargo room and wider legroom for backseat passengers, due to its smaller battery pack.

In terms of performance, its navigation features such as driver assist, radar, and camera-based warning devices, road sign recognition, as well as its signature “Trail Mode” makes outdoor obstacles conquerable.

Projected Price: starts at SRP PhP1,1650,000

Mitsubishi revamps an old reliable with the new and improved 2019 Strada, which also happens to be on its 40th year.

The 3rd generation of this mighty pickup truck model adorns a sleeker, more geometric look consistent with Mitsubishi’s latest design direction. Dubbed as “Rock Solid,” the design consists of the Dynamic Shield grille and features sharper proportions and sleeker chrome accents. The interior boasts soft-pad surfaces that go with the new interior door panels and the new dashboard.

The 2019 Strada retained its predecessor’s 2.4L MIVEC turbodiesel engine with Variable Geometry Turbo. It also has larger rear dampers, larger brakes discs, and larger two-piston caliper pistons for overall improved performance. All variants include safety features such as Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Change Assist, Forward Collision Mitigation, Active Stability Traction Control (ASTC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), all making off-road adventures in the latest Strada that much safer.

Projected Price: Starts at SRP PhP1,858,000

Another new model that’s expected to hit Philippine shores soon is the 2019 Nissan Altima, a prime contender in the midsize sedan category.

The 6th generation executive sedan by the Japanese maker dons a tougher look with its muscular grille, sharp hood creases, and restyled halogen LED projector headlights and fog lights. Inside, its “gliding wing” instrument cluster features an eight-inch center color display equipped with multi-touch control, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Its trademark Nissan Intelligent Mobility features the ProPILOT Assist, a “hands-on” driving assistance technology that intelligently reduces acceleration, steering, and braking during single-lane driving.

The 2019 Altima’s all-new Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) mill is the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine. The 2.0L and 2.5L variants are both capable of delivering the same performance without compromising fuel efficiency.

The new model is set to be released to the market by the third quarter of 2019, in white, silver, and black as well as in special color schemes, Scarlet Ember and Sunset Drift.

Projected Price: Starts at SRP PhP1,518,000

In its 3rd generation, Ford’s 2019 Everest takes an enormous leap from its already-prominent predecessors, and it deserves all the fanfare.

The American line’s SUV brags a sportier, more rugged look with its robust profiles, a prominent hexagonal grille, and a redesigned bumper façade. It’s also equipped with Ford’s signature LED Daytime Running Lights, and has more muscular wheel arches and a curvier back.

The newest Everest’s interior comes packed with Ford’s the SYNC 3 system, an eight-inch touch screen in-car connectivity, a 230-volt inverter outlets, and a panoramic dual-panel moonroof. Safety features such as Hill Start Assist, Roll Stability Control, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) are present to ensure safety, whether on or off the road.

Every unit comes with dual Duratorq TDCi engines: a 3.2-L inline-5 unit, and a 2.2-L inline-4 mill, as well as the most recently updated four-wheel disc brakes, new coil springs, trailing links, and Watt’s Linkage to improve handling, whether on or off-road.

Projected Price: Starts at SRP PhP975,000

First appearing during the 7th Philippine International Auto Show in October of last year, Suzuki’s fourth iteration of its off-road staple, the 2019 Jimny, has finally landed on our shores.

The 4x4 favorite features more or less the same fascia: while it dons a redesigned, more geometric exterior, Suzuki still opted to go for the signature ladder frame, which makes it more resistant to torsion, as well as the rounded headlights.

The improvement is more noticeable inside: linings are leaner and the fabric upholsteries are sharper. It boasts a nine-inch capacitive touch screen for its multimedia audio unit, an off-road audio guide, and an offline GPS navigation system. It’s roomier too, permitting 53 more liters of cargo compared to its precursor.

Under the hood, the four-cylinder 1.5-L K15B engine works with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission and can deliver at best 100hp. Features such as hill-descent and hill-hold control, and traction control, all make the 2019 Jimny a formidable 4x4 for off-road adventures.

Projected Price: Starts at SRP PhP625,000

The newest name in this list, Kia’s newest 2019 Soluto, is ready to stir the competition in prestigious small cars.

The latest to join the Korean carmaker’s batch of sedans is a subcompact unit that presents a simple façade, adorned with straight contours, Kia’s tiger nose grille that connects to the LED angular headlights, as well as a trapezoidal faux-air intake that bore the fog lights.

Leather upholsteries, six speakers, and a spacious interior are fit descriptors of the Soluto’s interiors. The seven-inch touch screen audio system in the dashboard can also connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In regards to performance, its 1.4-L Dual-CVVT inline-4 gasoline engine delivers power through either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. Its safety features include standard SRS airbags, and rear parking monitor and sensor, and immobilizers for some variants. The 2019 Soluto’s paint schemes include Titanium Silver, Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Blue Stream, and Mercato Red.

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