This is what cars in the Philippines looked like 20 years ago

The year 2000 or “Y2K” was the very last year of the 20th century. This day that year, we, the two-man team of AutoPH were both approaching our 3rd birthdays in the months of May and June. We only had toy cars for ourselves and we did not know each other.

As we approach the middle of 2020, we wonder what cars looked like 20 years ago compared to today. Trends in the industry continuously change every year with new ones coming in and old ones going away. Some cars were just in their first generations then while others were already old and reaching the end of production.

Toyota RAV4

The first ever compact crossover SUV in the world has been on sale in the Philippines since its first generation was revealed in 1994. Back then it was powered by a 2.0-liter engine with around 120 hp. The 2000 model year was the last for the 1st-gen RAV4. It was soon replaced by an all new model. Today, we now have the fifth generation of the RAV4. It was launched in 2018 with a carry-over 2.5-liter gasoline engine from the previous generation.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has been Honda’s most popular models ever since. The 1996-2000 model is also quite popular with car enthusiasts to this day. It had a 1.6 gasoline engine. The current tenth generation of the Civic was launched in 2016 with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The biggest difference with the Civic 20 years ago is definitely size. It really has grown a lot.

Honda CR-V

The Civic-based compact crossover was meant to challenge the Toyota RAV4. Honda launched the first generation of the CR-V in 1997. It had a 2.0-liter engine. The current generation is the fifth iteration of the model and it can now seat seven passengers and is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine. It does still have the option for a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and five seats just like the first generation.

Suzuki Jimny

The Suzuki Jimny is quite the enthusiast’s car here in the Philippine market. The current generation of the small SUV was launched in 2018 and now has one of the longest waiting lines among cars currently available in the country. Before that, the previous generation was available since 1998 with only minor updates to keep it fresh in its 20 year lifespan.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Best known for hauling VIPs, politicians, and other high profile people with their families, the Land Cruiser has been the flagship of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the Philippines and many other parts of the world. The J100-series Land Cruiser  was launched in 1998 and lasted for 9 years until 2007. The current generation J200-series Land Cruiser has been in our market since 2007 with it marking its 13th year in production in 2020. We’re expecting the new next generation J300 Land Cruiser to be revealed anytime soon. 

Mitsubishi Pajero

This SUV has a similar reputation for what kind of people it hauls. The Mitsubishi Pajero was one of the company’s most popular models. The 2000 model was known as the Pajero Fieldmaster and was sold up until 2007 alongside the newer third generation until 2008. The current fourth generation Pajero was launched in 2006 and still sold today. It is not yet known if the Pajero will receive a fifth generation model or if it will discontinued completely.

Audi A4

Audi has been selling luxury cars in the country for quite a long time already though they are only gaining even more popularity in recent years. The Audi A’s first generation, known as the B6, was the German marque’s entry-level sedan in the local market back when it was new. The current generation B9 is no longer the entry-level sedan. That role has been taken over by the smaller A3 sedan. In other markets the B9 already received various updates. 

Mitsubishi L300 FB

The Mitsubishi L300 has been the workhorse of Filipino business owners since it was first launched. It then had a 2.5-liter diesel engine shared with the Adventure. It has also remained basically the same ever since. In 2017 it was unfortunately discontinued due to environmental laws. In 2019 it was relaunched with the same basic overall look inside and out. Changes were minimal such as a new grille, bumper, and a raised cab. It did however get a new de-tuned 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine from the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. The Filipino’s workhorse lives on.

Images from NetCarShow.com. Mitsubishi L300 images from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC).