2025 WISHLIST: Here are 10 cars we want to see launched in PH this year
We’re already more than halfway through the first month of 2024 and we’ve already seen a handful of new car introductions such as the BMW X5 eDrive50e, updated BYD Atto 3 and Seal Advanced, among others.
Even with that, it doesn’t mean we should stop wishing for other car launches in our market so the team has compiled a list of cars that we are hoping to see launched in the Philippines throughout the year.
As such, in no particular order, here’s our 10-car launch wishlist for this year:
Toyota Vios
It’s not just a little overdue, it’s overdue. The Daihatsu-based fourth generation Toyota Vios has been available in our ASEAN neighbors for about two years now and it is the only model from the Japanese automaker we haven’t seen launched here yet.
With the current third generation being sold in our market for over a decade now, it is very ripe for replacement. Some signs are pointing to that though such as the trimming down of the model’s variant lineup, and a rumor we received that said Toyota Motor Philippines will be going a similar route as the Innova and Zenix, offering two different generations at the same time.
Toyota Ativ, perhaps?
Nissan X-Trail e-POWER
With the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V seeing stronger sales after going hybrid, it only makes sense for Nissan Philippines to take a slice of the pie with the X-Trail e-POWER.
Granted that they already gave us a preview at last year’s Philippine International Motor Show, representatives from the company’s marketing and PR teams, and product planning team refused to comment on its arrival when asked.
Mitsubishi Xforce Turbo or Hybrid
Last year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) introduced the Xforce as part of its comeback into the subcompact crossover segment which it was absent from for a couple of years.
While it is a great product with excellent build quality, standout looks, and actually good dynamics on the road, it is held back by its aging and underpowered engine that was taken out of the Mitsubishi Xpander subcompact MPV. More power or even electrification is surely the way to go for this to compete better with similarly priced rivals such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V.
Thankfully, when asked for comment, an executive from MMPC told us that a more powerful engine is already in the works. Whether it’s an all-ICE turbocharged engine or a hybrid powertrain, we do not know. It is at least something to look forward to.
Mazda CX-50 HEV
The Mazda CX-5 is now one of the oldest models from the Japanese automaker in our market. With newer models under their more upmarket crossover lineup such as the CX-30, CX-60, and CX-90, the Mazda CX-50 surely makes sense.
If launched, it could mark the brand’s first entry of a full hybrid electric in our market that will be able to compete with established models like the Toyota RAV4 and CR-V. Fun fact, its hybrid system is made by Toyota and is used in vehicles such as the Camry, Sienna, and Chinese-spec Wildlander (RAV4).
For now, it is unlikely for us to see this here yet as Mazda Philippine sources the CX-5 and other models from their manufacturing plants in Malaysia and Japan, while the CX-50 is manufactured in the United States and China only.
Hyundai Inster Electric
Hyundai Motor Philippines is no stranger to electrification, having a hybrid vehicle lineup composed of the Santa Fe and Tucson, as well as the fully-electric Ioniq 5 and 6. While its two all-electric offerings are enjoying a decent amount of sales, they are undeniably expensive.
With the growing popularity of small and affordable electric vehicles, one vehicle that comes to mind that could be perfect for our market is the Hyundai Inster Electric. This subcompact crossover was introduced for the South Korean market in June last year. We even got to take an up-close look at the recent 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan where it was launched for the Japanese market.
Powering the Hyundai Inster Electric are options of a single electric motor paired to either a 42 kWh or 49 kWh battery. The former pairing produces 97 horsepower while the latter, 115 horsepower, with both making 147 Nm of torque.
BYD Shark 6 DM-i
BYD Cars Philippines has been on a roll, launching multiple new models every few months last year. If there’s one model we’re really hoping to see from them, it’s the BYD Shark 6 DM-i.
Our market is a stranger to pickup trucks that aren’t propelled by turbodiesel engines so it will be quite interesting to see how one with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and electric motor (yes, a hybrid) would perform. And since the Shark 6 is a DM-i, it uses similar technology as the very popular Sealion 6 DM-i with its plug-in series-parallel hybrid system which means it can drive on pure electric power alone and the electric motor can be charged like a pure EV.
In case you’re curious, the Shark 6 DM-i’s powertrain produces a total of 435 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque which is way more than its potential rivals and segment leaders, the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, among others, put out with their engines.
Let’s see what BYD Cars Philippines has in store for us this year.
Mitsubishi Xpander e:Motion
The subcompact MPV segment already has a little bit of electrification thanks to the mild (super mild???) hybrid systems of the Suzuki Ertiga and XL7 siblings. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines has the chance to offer the first true hybrid vehicle in the segment though with the Xpander or Xpander Cross e:Motion.
Revealed in Thailand last year, the e:Motion system makes use of a 1.6-liter Inline 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine paired to an electric motor and generator. In total, these are good for 116 horsepower and 255 Nm of torque mated to a new e-CVT.
With the already strong demand for hybrid vehicles in our market thanks to their slightly more affordable pricing compared to before, fuel savings, and perks for daily usage, it could benefit the Xpander line to get a hybrid option too considering the current line’s already strong popularity. Your call, MMPC.
Nissan Ariya
It’s been a while since Nissan Philippines first previewed the fully-electric Ariya compact crossover in our market—first at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), then another at the 2024 Philippine EV Summit (PEVS).
We don’t know what’s stopping NPI from launching it here but there has to be something going on internally within their product planning that we do not know of. Whatever it is, we truly hope we can see the brand’s push for electrification go strong once again after the successful launch of the Kicks e-POWER in 2022.
Ford Territory Hybrid
The Ford Territory may no longer be as popular as it was when it first entered our market in 2020, and when the current second generation launched in 2023, but it still remains a popular option for those looking for a feature-rich and value-packed vehicle.
The answer to boost its sales further may be in the form of electrification. Say hello to the Territory PHEV. With some sleek styling updates, it also gets a new plug-in hybrid powertrain composed of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired to an electric motor and battery, producing a total output of 218 horsepower.
Ford Philippines has already confirmed the arrival of electrified models for this year and we’re hoping that the Territory PHEV would be one of, if not the first to be launched here.
Isuzu mu-X
Last year, Isuzu unveiled the heavily revised version of the current generation mu-X in Thailand as a follow-up to the updates done to its D-MAX pickup truck sibling. With the latter already here, it makes sense for the former to arrive next.
For this update, Isuzu has given the mu-X a much more aggressive appearance with its larger front grille and new Dynamic Blade headlights, matched with a fighter jet-inspired front bumper and new set of 20-inch alloy wheels. The taillights also get a more aggressive cluster design and are now connected by a black plastic piece. There are also a couple of changes done in the technology front and interior.
This has already been spotted in the Philippines, as seen on reports of fellow motoring journalists from other publications. As such, we probably won’t have to wait too long for this to arrive in our market.
