Here are the pickup trucks we want to see in PH this 2025

With the new year comes the promise of new product launches as car manufacturers race to provide their customers with the latest in the automotive industry.

Looking specifically at pickup trucks, we expect most brands to bolster their lineup with vehicles that help them achieve their sustainability goals. Others, on the other hand, may continue to improve their conventional offerings instead of attempting to change the wheel.

On that note, here are our top picks of pickup truck models we want to see in the Philippines this 2025.

Ford Ranger PHEV

Yet another electrified pickup truck we want to see make its way here in the country is the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which made its public debut last month at the IAA Transportation in Germany.

It has already been announced for the Australian market and promises a more sustainable means of moving without removing capability and the fun of driving off the table.

According to the Blue Oval brand’s arm in the Land Down Under, the Ranger PHEV Stromtrak combines a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine with a 75-kilowatt electric motor and an 11.8-kilowatt-hour battery.

It has a targeted emissions-free range of 45 kilometers.

As truck fans ourselves, we believe there is hope for Ford pickup truck enthusiasts here in the Philippines to get the Ranger PHEV. Not too long ago, our publication’s Managing Editor Ruben Manahan IV reported that Ford Philippines Managing Director Pedro Simeos announced that the company will enter the country’s electric vehicle (EV) arena in 2025.

Manahan noted that one of the possible models the company will bring to the country could be the Ford Ranger PHEV.

The author has had the chance to review the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4X4 later in 2024 and can attest to the refined and rugged appeal of the nameplate. Adding an electrified version of the pickup truck to Ford Philippines’ roster will not only attract environmentally conscious individuals but also provide the brand’s customers with a capable ride that can start them off their journey to sustainability.

Mitsubishi Triton Black Edition

Last year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) rolled out the Triton pickup truck, effectively pulling the plug on the Strada nameplate and ushering in a new era of capable haulers.

To date, the local arm of the Japanese carmaker is offering seven grades of the vehicle with the Athlete 4WD AT trim sitting at the top of the variant hierarchy.

On that note, we would love to see MMPC bring in the Mitsubishi Triton Black Edition — currently available in Thailand — this year. Not only will it boost the Triton lineup buut also add to its current offerings of Black Series vehicles, which includes the Mirage G4 Black Series and the Montero Sport Black Series.

The Thai-spec Mitsubishi Triton Black Edition comes with several cosmetic updates like a black Dynamic Shield front fascia, black door handles, a set of black 18-inch alloy wheels, black side mirrors, smoked titanium accent side steps, a black tailgate handle, a black rear bumper with smoked titanium accent, and finally, a “Black Edition” sticker.

As for the interior, Mitsubishi did not change anything in the Triton’s cabin, which is definitely fine. The pickup truck has some notable standard appointments including comfortable seats, an instrument panel with both digital and analog gauges, a responsive digital infotainment screen with various smartphone connectivity features, and a wireless charger.

Kia Tasman

Sometime in 2024, Kia previewed its first pickup truck dubbed the Tasman. According to the Hyundai-owned South Korean car brand, the said model was inspired by one of the toughest places on earth — the Australian outbacks.

While its official launch is yet to take place in 2025, Kia revealed some of its specifications, which is why we believe that it could be a hit among Filipino outdoor enthusiasts.

Propulsion comes from a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Together, the said setup can make some 206 horses with 440 Newton-meters (Nm) of pulling power.

In addition, it is also capable of hauling up to 1,000 kilograms of payload, which makes the Kia Tasman a proper one-ton truck. That said, we believe that it can provide a modern answer to the modern needs of today’s farmers.

New Mazda BT-50

In Thailand, Mazda has released the latest iteration of the BT-50 pickup truck, with several exterior updates making it look more modern than the currently available model here in the Philippines.

Some of the noticeable exterior upgrades include a redesigned fascia, chunky wheel wells and bumpers, a seven-inch multi-information display, and a nine-inch infotainment system.

Overall, it appears have more character and could draw car buyers from this generation to switch to a Mazda pickup truck.

Powertrain-wise, the Thai-spec new Mazda BT-50 packs either a 2.2- or a 3.0-liter engine that produces 160-187 horsepower with 400-450 Nm.

Final thoughts

These are just some of the pickup trucks we would love to see here in the Philippines in 2025.

We understand that the companies that make these vehicles would have to put in some effort into the viability of making money when they introduce these models to the country, but it would be exciting to see these nameplates go head to head and make the competition tougher in what already is a cutthroat category in the Philippine auto industry.

Did your pickup truck of choice made the list?

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