Never mind the looming gas price at P50.00 per liter. More new SUV models are on the horizon for us in the Philippines. Toyota is introducing the 3rd of the IMV triad (after Hilux, Innova) called Fortuner. The SUV looks like a longer version of the Sorento (seats 7) and is powered by the same engines as the Hilux (3.0CRDI or 2.7gas).
Will Hyundai be introducing the Tucson and will Kia bring in the new Sportage as well? About the same size as the RAV4, and positioned a notch below the Sorento and the Santa Fe (Hyundai), this twin models have been earning accolades in the US, Europe and even Asean countries like Malaysia and Singapore.
Chevy also has the crossover Equinox, a neat-looking CRV-killer which will also be rebadged as an Isuzu. Will we be seeing it on our shores soon?
the new Nissan Xterra is a modernized take on the old value standard (really popular in the US). Nissan China has been selling the Xterra; will Nissan Philippines bring it in to slot between the (softroader) Xtrail and the (full-sized offroader) Patrol. Xterra is a real rock crawler.
Mitsubishi just recently introduced the Montero Sport here, in diesel guise. Odd, though, they did so just when they stopped selling it in the US and Japan (too old a design, making it cramped inside and very trucky). They do have a rather strange-looking Endeavor crossover which seems to be seeing popularity in the US. Will they bring it over?
Toyota also has the Highlander, Honda has the Pilot, both midsize softroader/crossover SUVS. Might we glimpse of them as well?
Also, the Honda CRV has a diesel version in Europe. Will Honda Phil. bring it in to lead an assault on the diesel compact SUVS such as the diesel Sorento and the diesel Tucson/Sportage (if they bring in the diesels instead of the gas models)?
And the Everest? Well, Ford loyalists call the Everest a first-timer's SUV. A Mazda B2500/2900/Ford Ranger pickup truck with its cargo bed roofed over and covered with carpeting does not really offer the refinement (and panache) of SUVs conceptualized as SUVs from the ground up, does it? Leaf springs at rear and an anemic and old diesel engine does not an SUV make.
Look forward to more exciting choices!
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