Friday, 01 February 2013 07:28
Car of the Year 2012 - 2013 Day 9: The Last Hurrah
Words by Jade Lu | Photos by Hans Gerald Chua
Last Saturday, January 26, 2013, was the final day of the qualitative testing for the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). It was a day for big brutes once again, as Hyundai sent the Santa Fe R-2.2 GLS 6AT 2WD and Premium 4WD, which were matched by Toyota’s Fortuner 4x2 G DSL AT and Hilux 4x2 G MT and Mazda’s CX-5 and BT-50. The Honda CR-V made its reprise with the 2.0 S and 2.4 SX variant, this time made in Thailand with local specs (Honda sent the Japan-made CR-V last time).
It was the fitting ending for this chapter. The cars weren’t too exciting to leave us done and fulfilled at the end of the day; they were mellowed down to leave us wanting more. Of course, “more” would come to us during the technical testing at the Clark International Speedway on February 25 to 27, when the cars will once again converge for the acceleration, braking, and handling tests. But until that comes, we were satisfied enough with the cars we’ve driven to keep us at ease until the end of February. Hopefully, the sky will stay clear of rain clouds and strong winds until then.
With that last hurrah, here are some final words from our writers about the cars of Day 9:
Published in
Car of the Year
Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:01
Mazda CX-5 beats the 86 and BRZ as Japan's 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year
Words by Christopher Kho
Well waddya know. Contrary to popular belief, the The Toyota 86, and its fraternal twin the Subaru BRZ, apparently is not the best car to come out from the land of the rising sun this year. Beating it by 45 votes is the all-new Mazda CX-5 which earned the coveted title of 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Japan.
According to the Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) committee, the 86 and BRZ did impress with its “thrilling rear-wheel-drive handling, high-revving boxer engine, and reasonable price. But it was the CX-5's “revolutionary SKYACTIV technology, great handling, and economical clean diesel engine” that impressed the jurors the most.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 14 August 2012 09:27
Four Wheeling on High Heaven | 2012 Mazda CX-5 6MT 4x2
Words by Leslie Sy | Photos by Christopher Kho
Two things have become a daily fact of life for many urban dwellers: the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and the weekly rise of fuel prices. The convenience of an SUV makes it the primary choice for many car owners - spacious interior, high ground clearance, and grunty engine. Unfortunately, rising fuel prices have never been good for their wallets. Many have opted to go the path of a small and fuel economic car, while others simply pray for better days. But with the recent launch of the all-new 2012 Mazda CX-5 and its much-anticipated Skyactiv technology, the promise of a fuel-sipping SUV has arrived. But does it deliver?
Published in
Crossover
Tuesday, 19 June 2012 18:51
Mazda's CX-5 achieves maximum 5 Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating (w/ video)
So that you'd know what your chances are of surviving an accident in an all-new CX-5, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) put Mazda's latest crossover to the test for you. They've crashed it head on, against a pole, and even onto a hapless dummy pedestrian all in the name of safety. And after the dust has settled, not only did the CX-5 pass with flying colors, but it also achieved the maximum five-star safety rating, which pretty much means you, your passengers, and that annoying jaywalker should be able to walk away in case of a crash.
Published in
Road Safety
Monday, 23 April 2012 08:07
All-new Mazda CX-5 has finally arrived, looks better than expected
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Only seven months have passed since the all-new CX-5 made its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and Mazda's latest crossover is finally here. Launched last week at the Mazda Revolution held at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, it would be the first vehicle in Mazda's line-up to adopt the ground-breaking SKYACTIV technology and 'KODO - Soul of motion' design theme. And while we got its initial P1,392,000 price tag spot on, we did didn't quite expect that the CX-5 would look this good in person.
Published in
Newly Launched
Tuesday, 17 April 2012 07:15
Mazda Expo: Go SKY high with the all-new CX-5 and Mazda 3 on April 21 to 22
Get ready to go SKY high this weekend as Mazda Philippines gives us a first taste of their revolutionary SKYACTIV Technology. Head on over to the Mazda Expo from April 21 to 22, 2012 at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City and get up close and personal with the all-new CX-5 and Mazda 3.
Published in
Upcoming Events
Thursday, 22 March 2012 09:10
Mazda's CX-5 tipped to arrive in April; Prices start at P1,392,000
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mazda Motor Corporation
Just a week ago, Mazda Philippines divulged that three all-new models are headed our way in the second quarter of 2012. It was pretty obvious that the first two models are the all-new Mazda 3 and BT-50, but we were still in the dark about the third. After a bit of internet scouring, we were all stumped when a little bird told us that, barely eight months since its world debut in Frankfurt, the all-new CX-5 is ready to hit the local showrooms in April.
Published in
News
Friday, 05 August 2011 06:13
Mazda gives a sneak peak of the CX-5 before its world debut
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mazda Motor Corporation
In just a month's time, yet another crossover will crawl upon this world when Mazda finally takes all covers off their new CX-5 at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will be the first in Mazda's lineage to benefit from the groundbreaking Skyactiv® Technology, taking this compact SUV lightyears into the future. And speaking of what's to come from Mazda, the CX-5 takes on the company's new design theme called “Kodo - Soul of Motion,” which will shape the next line of the brand’s models. Whatever this new design philosophy means, all we know is that we like what we’re seeing.
Published in
Newly Launched
