2024 WISH LIST: 10 Cars We Hope Are Launched in PH This Year

We’re already about to end the first month of 2024. Looking back? 2023 was a very good year for the local automotive industry as it bounced back with new car launches happening left and right. Like we do every time we welcome a new year, we list down cars that we hope are launched within the year.

A couple of new models have already been launched such as the BMW i4 and the all-new Mitsubishi Triton. There are also confirmed new models arriving like the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Bronco, both still don’t have a specified launch date. 

Of course, there are a lot more that we hope come to the country and ones that we think must come soon. With that, in no particular order, here are 10 new cars that we hope will be introduced in the Philippine market this year:

Toyota Vios

The all-new fourth generation Toyota Vios, now built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform shared with the Toyota Raize, Avanza, Veloz, and Yaris Cross, was already in our wishlist for cars to be launched last year. Unfortunately, it hasn’t arrived yet and we still don’t know how much longer we’ll be waiting. Given the model’s importance to Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), being the country’s bestselling car for many years, it’s just right that it arrives sooner than later. Perhaps TMP is still working on re-tooling its local manufacturing plant for the new generation’s production.

READ: Next-gen Toyota Vios revealed in Thailand

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (250-series)

Yet another one from Toyota, the all-new 250-series Land Cruiser Prado is one model we’re really looking forward to. Revealed in August last year, we already saw it in the flesh at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show last October and really hope it comes soon.

The 250-series Land Cruiser takes on a different approach for this generation with a retro-modern design concept. It’s a lot more rugged and squared-off. The front grille features a square pattern with the Toyota name spelled-out truly giving an old Toyota vibe. It also now rides on the TNGA-F platform which also underpins the Toyota Land Cruiser 300-series and Lexus LX.

READ: Toyota unveils the boxy and retro 250-series Land Cruiser 

Honda WR-V

Despite the strong popularity of subcompact sedans in our market, many buyers are moving towards purchasing crossovers instead, regardless of size–whether small or big. An affordable subcompact crossover is one way for buyers to enter the world of crossovers and for Honda, they can tap that market with the WR-V.

Revealed for the Indonesian market in late 2022, the WR-V can directly take on the likes of the extremely popular Toyota Raize, and the Geely GX3 Pro which is recently gaining traction. Looking at its exterior, the Honda WR-V wears a sporty and aggressive look which is a characteristic of many Honda models while its interior is identical to what you would see in the larger Honda BR-V.

READ: BIMS 2023 | The Honda WR-V in Thailand would make sense in PH

Powering it is a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine shared with the BR-V, City, and HR-V which will also make it the most powerful model among its rivals. Finally, a suite of Honda SENSING can also be equipped. Hopefully this comes sooner than later.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

Hot performance versions of vehicles are making a comeback and for Hyundai, they’ve done that with the IONIQ 5 N. 

Making its premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England last year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N represents the brand’s electrification future and a way for high-performance car enthusiasts to appreciate EVs more. 

READ: Hyundai IONIQ 5 N revealed with 650 hp

Other than various N enhancements, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N also gets an upgraded dual-motor electric powertrain with an 84 kWh battery. Total boost output is pegged at a whopping 650 horsepower with a 0-100 kph acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds, as well as a top speed of 260 kph.

Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) also already teased the entry of the N brand into the market. They have not announced any specifics, but here’s hoping that the IONIQ 5 N becomes one of their first offerings. 

READ: Hyundai Motor PH is going to launch four new models in 2024

Nissan X-Trail

The compact crossover segment in the country has gone a bit premium with buyers who used to drive luxury compact crossovers now going for them instead. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 remain popular, however, one of their main competitors is missing, the Nissan X-Trail. The current generation X-Trail was introduced in 2020 and is one model that we think Nissan Philippines is not taking advantage of.

Revealed way back in 2020, the X-Trail now benefits from the Japanese automaker’s e-POWER technology. With its rivals having gone the hybrid route, and the brand already doing so with the smaller Kicks, it’s just right that Nissan Philippines decides to bring this in soon. Not only that, they let us experience driving the X-Trail during a trip to Japan last year. Sign of things to come?

Nissan Ariya

Nissan Philippines was one of the first brands to add a fully-electric vehicle to its lineup with the LEAF. We’ve tried it out and while it’s great, it’s certainly getting old. That’s where the Nissan Ariya steps in. 

The Nissan Ariya is the Japanese automaker’s fully electric crossover. While it does not directly replace the LEAF, it does have a lot going for it. For starters, it’s a lot more modern and powerful, getting a 352V 91kWh lithium-ion battery, paired to dual 45 kW electric motors both with 218 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, each. It can drive for up to 560 kilometers on a full charge.

This is also among the vehicles we were able to drive around Japan during last year’s media trip. Just like the X-Trail, a sign of things to come? We hope so.

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is very popular in most of our neighboring countries. While it did not exactly gain traction here, it started the trend of electrifying its lineup for Toyota Motor Philippines, which now offers hybrid variants for most of its lineup. One thing that’s missing now though is the one that started it all.

Now in its fifth generation which was revealed in 2022, the Prius does away with its awkward or weird and outrageous styling from previous versions, taking on a more subtle modern and futuristic appearance. It also received huge upgrades in the powertrain department, making it more than just a regular commuter car.

READ: Toyota unveils all-new 5th generation Prius

With hybrid vehicles already gaining traction in the Philippines, especially with Toyota, we hope that they can also bring this one in as another option for those looking for something not so mainstream.

Subaru Solterra

It may come as a surprise to some, but Subaru actually has its own fully-electric vehicle offering as well. The Solterra, while wearing Subaru badging, is actually based on the Toyota bZ4X which you can already buy locally through gray market importers.

The Subaru Solterra wears a sleek exterior with a mix of rugged styling cues thanks to aggressive amounts of black plastic cladding. It also shares its platform with the Lexus RZ luxury EV crossover. Meanwhile powering it are dual electric motors with a 71.4kWh battery, enough for 215 horsepower and a driving range of 460 km.

Already having made its debut in the ASEAN Region last year during the Singapore Motor Show, it’s already a step closer to launching in the Philippines. There’s no confirmation about it yet, but we can always wish, right?

Mazda CX-50

Mazda Philippines has pretty much gone all out in going for a more premium target market especially with its newer lineup of crossovers, particularly the CX-30, CX-60, and CX-90, all of which are available locally. One is still missing and that’s what we want to see here, the CX-50.

What sets the CX-50 apart from other Mazda products is its more rugged nature. Instead of using sleek curves, the CX-50 gets sharp and angular lines as well as large amounts of body cladding. Same goes on the inside which ditches its luxurious look for a more straightforward and manly appearance. 

Initially slated for the North American market only, the CX-50 has already found its way to other markets close to us such as China. We don’t know if Mazda Philippines would source from there, but having this model in their lineup will definitely be attractive to those looking for a rugged crossover with the premium Mazda touch.

Suzuki Swift

If there’s one hatchback that seems to be getting very quiet lately, it’s the Suzuki Swift. Not so swift, eh? Anyway, Suzuki has revealed an all-new generation Swift last year and we do hope it comes here as well.

READ: 2024 Suzuki Swift concept revealed, to be unveiled at JMS 2023

While it looks practically like the current and outgoing generation Swift, Suzuki has given it a rounder shape, and more aggressive creases. The interior is also completely overhauled following the trends in the industry when it comes to design. Other additions are a new powertrain, as well as advanced driver-assist systems. 

Given that Suzuki Philippines currently sources the Swift from Thailand, we’ll probably have to wait for this new generation hatchback to make its debut there first before seeing it locally.