Crossovers are all the rage these days. Mixing in versatility and comfort in equal measure, these five-seaters represent this generation’s starter family car. Oh, and because they sit higher than a conventional sedan, they give an extra buffer against floods or nasty curbs. They’re perfect for the daily drive around Manila, but better still, they’re great even for the occasional out-of-town excursion as well. With people penny-pinching these days, here are the market’s crossovers that are under P1 million (or slightly over).
Changan CS35 Plus (P999,000)
Changan is the newest brand to enter the Philippine market, so it’s important that they offer a truly affordable crossover. That’s where the CS35 Plus comes in. The CS35 Plus stands sporty with its 18-inch alloy wheels and panoramic sunroof. Inside, it has a 10-inch infotainment system, automatic climate control, and even an anti-viral air filtration system. It also packs a turbocharged 1.4-liter delivering 158hp and 235Nm of torque.
Chery Tiggo 2 (Starts at P695,000)
This roundup’s most affordable offering, the Chery Tiggo 2 was the first one to make you question: why go for a sedan when you can afford an SUV? Despite its low price tag, it manages to come equipped with a full roster of comfort, convenience, and safety features. Features include a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 106hp and 135Nm of torque, an eight-inch infotainment screen, and reverse parking camera. You can even spec it with a two-tone color scheme. Most impressive of all, it has a mind-boggling 10-year, 1-million-kilometer engine warranty and free preventive maintenance for three years.
Chevrolet Trax (Starts at P1,185,888)
Honestly, the Trax is one of the segment’s most seasoned offerings, but it didn’t stop Chevrolet Philippines from giving it a much-needed modern do. Now christened the Trax Premier, it sports carbon gray wheels, black fin-type antenna, and functional crossbars. Inside, it has a built-in air ionizer, dash cam, and all-weather cargo tray. Powered by a 1.4-liter turbo engine, it makes 140hp and 200Nm of torque.
Ford EcoSport (Starts at P938,000)
Joining the Trax as one of the older offerings in this segment, Ford did give its EcoSport a substantial upgrade in 2019. Aside from a styling nip and tuck, it also added more powerful, yet more efficient gasoline engines. For less than a million, buyers can opt for the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder making 123hp and 150Nm. For those who want a bit more, there’s also a turbocharged 1.0-liter. Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual or conventional six-speed automatic.
GAC GS3 (Starts at P966,000)
Considered in China as a “game-changer” in small SUVs, the GAC GS3 packs features that surpass those in its price range. For example, it offers leather seats and an eight-inch infotainment system, among others. Even more important to the Filipino buyer, it has an eye-catching exterior, a roomy interior, and thanks to a choice between a normally-aspirated 1.5 or turbocharged 1.3, power to match the needs of the modern, on-the-go lifestyle.
Geely Coolray (Starts at P978,000)
The Geely Coolray successfully turned the segment upside down since its market launch in 2019. Since then, it’s managed to catapult itself to the number one spot in the sales charts. And who could blame them? Not only is its starting price quite attractive, but the car itself is dynamically-styled, well-featured, and with a 177hp engine, basically a hot hatch in SUV clothing. It’s also built on a world-class platform jointly developed with Volvo called the BMA platform enabling it to score a five-star CNAP safety rating.
Hyundai Venue (Starts at P915,000)
The Kona may be Hyundai’s smallest offering, but it packs personally equaling its bigger brothers, the Kona and Santa Fe. The Korean carmaker’s signature design is present with its composite headlight design. Though having a substantially smaller footprint compared to the Kona, it doesn’t give up much in interior space. Powered by a 1.6-liter MPi engine with 123hp and 151Nm, it also has pep whether cruising in the city or on the highway.
Honda BR-V (Starts at P1,038,000)
Honda keeps to its ethos of offering driver-oriented cars, even with its seven-seater small SUV offering, the BR-V. The “baby CR-V” has a 120hp/145Nm 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine under the hood—the best in its class. Mated to an Earth Dreams CVT, it can do up to 22.58 km/L. It doesn’t scrimp on features too with its seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a full set of safety features enabling it to score a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
JAC S3 (Starts at P890,000)
JAC’s first foray into small SUVs, the S3 is designed around being “a drive so easy.” It maybe small, but the bottle-shaped mouth and sculpted headlights give it a fashionable appeal. The streamlined appearance makes way for a well-executed interior, too. Power comes from a 1.6-liter engine mated to a CVT.
Kia Stonic (Starts at P735,000)
Targeted towards young and first-time car buyers, the “style that’s iconic” Kia Stonic fuses Euro chic design with its competitive set of standard features. The sleek lines and bright color palette give way to a roomy, practical interior. Traffic will never be boring with its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-equipped infotainment system. Under the hood sits a well-balanced 1.4-liter D-CVVT engine making 95hp (100 in the automatic variants) and 132Nm of torque.
MG ZS (Starts at P818,888)
Considered a heavyweight in this segment, the MG ZS packs a stylish punch with its London Eye headlights, Stardust grille, and Plough taillights, but with a lightweight price. Half a size larger than most other offerings in this segment, it opens to a truly roomy interior highlighted by soft-touch materials and an eight-inch infotainment system. Power comes from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 114hp and 150Nm, while safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system as standard.
SsangYong Tivoli (Starts at P1,120,000)
The Tivoli returns to the sub-million compact crossover range with the reappearance of its gasoline variant. The 1.6-liter e-XDGi160 engine returns 128hp and 160Nm torque mated to a six-speed automatic. For those who want the diesel option, it remains available. With the longest wheelbase in its class, the Tivoli’s practical for a family o five while still sporting a leather steering wheel and an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like other SsangYong models, it comes with a free 3-year PMS coverage.
Suzuki Jimny (Starts at P1,055,000)
This one needs no introduction. The fourth-generation Jimny has been a big success story for Suzuki, a mirror perhaps of the Japanese carmaker’s fortunes in the Philippines. The ladder-on-frame Jimny brings true off-road capability in a head-turning (it’s a finalist for World Car Design of the Year), urban-friendly package. The 1.5-liter engine delivers more power and torque than ever, and it can be optioned with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
Toyota Rush (Starts at P983,000)
Responding to the Filipino’s penchant for bringing their extended families along on every trip, Toyota updated its Rush entry-level SUV with standard three rows of seating. Aside from its seven-seater capacity, it also gets a reverse camera as standard equipment. Aside from that, it retains its most desired features such as its touchscreen infotainment system, six airbags, ABS with EBD, and stability control.