Who would have known that cars costing a million pesos would be considered “affordable” in this day and age? It seems only yesterday when seven-figure price tags were the market of the affluent. Or maybe I’m just getting old. Thankfully, a million bucks today would still net you a fine piece of four-wheeled machinery. That’s almost a revelation when not too long ago, the bestselling Toyota—at least for a short while—was the Fortuner.
Today, a million bucks will only get you half a midsize SUV, which seems to be the dream car of most Filipinos. But that same amount will still let you bring home a winner of a car. Here are 10 examples, arranged alphabetically, that give maximum bang for your million bucks.
Chery Tiggo 2 Pro
(P818,000)
The Chery Tiggo 2 Pro has the distinction of being the country’s lowest priced crossover with an automatic transmission. But that shouldn’t be enough to make it worthy of entry in a 10 Best list. What would make it worthy—taking into account our P1 million price ceiling—include high build quality, solid driving dynamics (acceleration, braking and handling), decent fuel economy, and a fair number of comfort, convenience, and safety features—all of which the Tiggo 2 Pro confidently offers. Factor in a handsome Euro-inspired styling and the industry’s best warranty—a whopping 10 years/1 million kilometers for the engine—and you’ve got yourself a shoo-in for this list.
Geely Emgrand
(P753,000 – P999,000 for all 3 variants)
Geely may be best known for its popular Coolray crossover, but it’s the brand’s subcompact model, the Emgrand, that’s punching above its weight. It’s substantially bigger than many of its rivals, looking almost as big and as spacious as compact sedans. It has a very strong resemblance to the three-classes-bigger Volvo S90 full-size sedan. Best of all, three of its available variants slip in under our 1 million-peso ceiling—not like some models that will have a sparsely featured entry-level variant slipping in under 1 million while its other variants soar all the way to P1.2 to 1.3 million.
Honda Brio
(P650,000 – P808,000 for all 4 variants)
In the early 90’s, the tiny hatchback was the entry-level type of car. Today, it still is, but with a vast difference compared to its now-old-school predecessors. The hatchbacks now offer more features than luxury cars of just a few decades ago. Among the current crop of hatchbacks in our 1 million-peso price ceiling, the Honda Brio is easily the best. Overall build quality is superb (for its price). Interior space is astonishing (for its size). And performance is absolutely delightful (for its size and price). Buying a Brio is in no way a compromise in comfort, performance and space. It’s really a budget Mini Cooper. I have three adult-aged children and am practically an empty-nester; I’d get a Brio for a daily driver if I had extra funds lying around. The fabulous fuel economy is just the icing on the cake.
Hyundai Creta
(P998,000 for entry-level GL MT variant)
I wanted to put the upcoming Hyundai Stargazer here. I’ve driven it and this new 7-seat subcompact MPV, which starts at P998,000, is worthy of inclusion in this group. But it won’t be available until after a couple more weeks. Which means the nod goes to the Hyundai Creta. Taking over from Hyundai’s previous subcompact crossover, the bestselling Kona, the Creta presents one of the most head-turning designs in its class (matched by bigger-than-average 17-inch alloy wheels). It must be pointed out, though, that only the entry-level Creta GL with the manual transmission slips in under our 1 million-peso ceiling. The cool features like smart driver-assist features, electronic parking brake, wireless charging, and USB ports for the rear, come with the higher-grade variants that hit a 1.3-million-peso high. Still, if you want a high-fashion crossover but are on a million-peso budget, the Creta should make your short list.
Kia Stonic
(P835,000 – P990,000 for all 4 variants)
The fact that the Kia Stonic comes in four variants and all of them fit under 1 million bucks is mighty impressive. It also sports exterior styling that works two ways: 1) it’ll resonate well with the younger set and 2) it’ll make the older set feel young again. The Stonic exudes the same vibe as a Mini Cooper—perky, spritely, and spirited. For many, that’s quite enough—as long as it’s got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (which the Stonic has).
MG 5
(P658,888 – P938,888 for all 4 variants)
The ZS crossover is what put MG on the map in the Philippine market, but it’s the MG 5 subcompact sedan that deserves a closer look. First off, it’s fairly large for its subcompact categorization, endowing it with both extra road presence and cabin space. Secondly, it looks elegantly understated, almost like an Audi sedan. It doesn’t scream, “Look at me!” but it’s this minimalism that will make it look fresh even many years down the road.
Great value comes from its front and rear LED lights, 360-degree camera, huge 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 512 liters of trunk space, power sunroof, front/side/curtain airbags, power driver’s seat, among many others.
Suzuki Ertiga
(P853,000 and P963,000 for the 2 MT variants)
Did you know that out of Suzuki’s nine models, seven have six-figure SRPs? Only two breach the million-peso mark. Which made it a tad difficult to pick one for this list. But after looking at the spacious APV, the versatile Carry, the perky Celerio, the reliable Dzire, the cute S-Presso, and the fun-to-drive Swift, my vote went to the bestselling and highly versatile Ertiga, a model that needs no introduction. It was—and still is—a benchmark in the subcompact 7-seater MPV market.
Mitsubishi L300
(starts at P813,000)
Here’s a vehicle that needs no introduction. The Mitsubishi L300 is the OG of this bunch. Heck it’s the OG of ALL current car models, having been around—in Versa Van form—since the 80’s. The L300 we know now has been around for three decades—and now boasts a clean and powerful 2.2-liter turbo-diesel Euro IV-compliant engine developing a strong 200Nm of torque. Despite being a model old enough to be classified as “old school,” it’s still one of Mitsubishi’s bestsellers—to the tune of over 200,000 units sold in its enduring model run.
Nissan Almera
(P779,000 – P999,000 for 3 variants)
The previous Nissan Almera was one of the best cars in its class, with high build quality and refinement, a comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and a fuel-efficient engine. What it lacked was excitement in its ho-hum styling and in its lackluster driving dynamics.
Enter the new Almera. Retaining all of its previous positive attributes, it now also boasts much sharper and sportier styling and a much more exciting (yet still economical) drive, thanks to a turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine that pumps out 160Nm of torque (152Nm for the CVT; the previous Almera had 134Nm). It also comes packed with a whole host of smart driver assist features you’d normally find in luxury sedans. All for a starting price of P779,000. The Almera comes in four variants; three of the four come in under P1 million. That’s great value right there.
Toyota Avanza
(P833,000 and P948,000 for the 2 1.3 MT variants)
Easily the most improved player of the year, the all-new Avanza is the veritable swan (or silk purse, depending on your literary reference). Eschewing the previous model’s crude rear wheel-drive and rigid rear axle (and its awkward tall boy-narrow body profile), the new Avanza projects a much more assertive and upscale styling with a wider and longer body.
Still powered by 1.3- and 1.5-liter VVT-i inline-4 engines (but ditching the old 4-speed auto in favor of a modern and much more fuel-efficient CVT), the Avanza suddenly surges ahead in the subcompact 7-seat MPV race. From a car you needed to buy, the Avanza is now actually a car you want to buy. That’s a heck of a big difference there.
