Sedans, hatchbacks we want to see in PH this 2025

Sedans, hatchbacks we want to see in PH this 2025

Sedans, hatchbacks we want to see in PH this 2025

Hatchbacks and sedans now hold a smaller share of the automotive market than they did in the late 1990s and early to mid-2000s. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Which car models is the Zigwheels Philippines editorial team excited to see in the Philippine market this year?

    The Zigwheels Philippines editorial team is eager to see models like the fourth-generation Toyota Vios, the updated Toyota GR Yaris, GR Corolla Cross, fourth-generation Suzuki Swift, Honda City e:HEV, and Denza Z9 make their way to the Philippine market this year.
  • How much horsepower and torque can the Thai-spec fourth-generation Toyota Vios (Yaris Ativ) produce?

    The Thai-spec fourth-generation Toyota Vios can produce up to 93 horsepower and 110 Newton-meters of torque.
  • Regardless, the two aforementioned vehicle body types are still popular on local roads. While crossovers arguably offer more space, sedans and hatchbacks remain convenient for many users due to their relatively compact sizes. Plus, brands often position their respective hatch and sedan models as their most affordable offerings. 

    So, while we’ve already written about the crossovers and sports utility vehicles we love to see in the Philippines in 2025, it is now time to list down the hatchbacks and sedans we would like to see released locally this year. 

    Four-generation Toyota Vios 

    The fourth-generation Toyota Vios, also known as the AC100 model, has been around since 2022. It is already sold in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, as well as in Thailand as the Yaris Ativ. The latest generation Vios has existed for three years now, but the Philippine market version is still the second facelift of the third-generation XP150

    Toyota Yaris Ativ Photo from Toyota Motor Thailand

    Now it is 2025, and many are no doubt convinced that it is high time Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) to bring in the next-generation sedan. 

    The said model, after all, has a lot of desirable qualities. For example, it sports a more modern look enhanced by angular details on its front bumper, a wide grille, and a sharp-looking pair of LED headlamp clusters - among others. 

    It retains a similar array of powertrains, but it is much larger compared to the third-gen model, as it is now based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. To note, the DNGA platform currently underpins other locally available models such as the Raize, Avanza, and Veloz

    Toyota Yaris Ativ Photo from Toyota Motor Thailand

    The larger body size suggests an interior with more room for heads and elbows. The version sold in Thailand also sports an upmarket cabin with diamond-stiched leather upholstery, a 64-color ambient lighting system, a seven-inch digital gauge cluster, keyless entry, a PM2.5 air filtering system, and many other creature comforts. 

    For reference, here is a table showing the mechanical specifications of the top-of-the-line Thai-spec Toyota Yaris Ativ Premium Luxury:

    Model

    Toyota Yaris Ativ (Vios) Premium Luxury

    Engine

    1.2-liter inline-4 3NR-VE

    Fuel

    Gasoline

    Transmission

    Continuously variant transmission (CVT)

    Drivetrain

    Front-wheel-drive

    Horsepower

    93

    Torque

    110 Nm

    Front suspension

    MacPherson strut

    Rear suspension

    Torsion beam

    Honda City e:HEV Hatchback

    For a bit of wishful thinking, we are pretty confident that many Filipino Honda fans will want to see the City e:hybrid electric vehicle (e:HEV) Hatchback on local roads. Sure, the Civic RS e:HEV is already in the market, and there’s a good chance that the HR-V e:HEV crossover might see a local launch first. On the other hand, the Japanese marque’s local arm could use a smaller (more affordable) electrified model in its lineup.

    City eHEV Photo from Honda Automobile Thailand

    Having the hybrid version of the City Hatchback in its stable will help make the brand’s hybrid tech more accessible to more buyers. Some, especially folks who drive in the metropolis every day, prefer something more compact, after all. 

    In the Thai market, the City e:HEV hatch is marketed in the guise of the RS trim. At maximum, its internal combustion powertrain can produce up to 96 horsepower (hp) and 127 Newton-meters of torque. Its electric motors, on the other hand, produce an additional 107 hp and 253 Nm of torque. 

    City eHEV Photo from Honda Automobile Thailand

    With the aforementioned figures, the City e:HEV Hatchback promises to be a peppy but also environmentally friendly ride. As the Thai-spec RS trim, it also boasts an eye-catching exterior look and loads of creature comforts. 

    Here are the specifications of the Honda City e:HEV RS Hatchback currently sold in Thailand: 

    Model

    Honda City e:HEV RS hatchback

    Engine

    1.5-liter inline-4 

    Fuel

    Gasoline

    Transmission

    Electronic continuously variable transmission

    Drivetrain

    Front-wheel-drive

    Horsepower

    96

    Torque

    127

    Front suspension

    MacPherson strut

    Rear suspension

    Torsion beam

    Brakes

    Front and rear discs

    Hybrid system

    Electronic motor and lithium-ion battery

    Hybrid system output

    107 hp and 253 Nm of torque

    Fourth-generation Suzuki Swift

    Another hatchback we would love to see in the Philippines in 2025 is the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift

    Currently, Suzuki Philippines Incorporated sells the older third-generation Swift A2L model. It has enjoyed a strong market presence in the local scene, but the next-gen AOL Swift has several characteristics local small car buyers might want. 

    4th-gen Suzuki Swift Photo from Suzuki

    When it comes to design, the fourth-gen Swift was dressed up with an edgier, more striking design. It still somewhat keeps the familiar (albeit rounder) outline of the hatchback nameplate, but it now sports sharper LED fixtures, a flatter hood, as well as a more dynamic-looking rear end. 

    Additionally, it was provided with more structural adhesives for better handling and more sound-deadening materials for a quieter drive. The next-gen hatch was also made safer thanks to the addition of an electronic parking brake, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, driver monitoring, and automatic high beams. 

    Suzuki also touted the next-gen Swift’s 1.2-liter Z12E inline-3 engine, which, thanks to its new mild-hybrid system, provides an estimated in-city fuel economy of 20.8 kilometers per liter.

    4th-gen Suzuki Swift Photo from Suzuki

    To note, the said engine has one less cylinder compared to the locally available third-gen model, but it can still produce 82 hp and 108 Nm of torque. 

    For reference, here is a summary of the Japanese-spec fourth-gen Suzuki Swift, specifically the Hybrid MX:

    Model

    Suzuki Swift Hybrid MX

    Engine

    1.2-liter inline-3 Z12E

    Fuel

    Gasoline

    Transmission

    CVT/Five-speed manual

    Drivetrain

    Front-wheel-drive

    Horsepower

    82

    Torque

    108 Nm

    Front suspension

    MacPherson strut

    Rear suspension

    Torsion beam

    Brakes

    Front and rear discs

    Hybrid system

    2.3 kilowatt integrated starter generator, 12-volt lithium-ion battery

    Toyota GR Corolla

    In the realm of hot hatches, another model TMP could add to its roster in 2025 is the Gazoo Racing (GR) Corolla. The said model, after all, was already released in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. 

    Evolved GR Corolla Photo from Toyota Gazoo Racing

    Specifically, it was introduced back in 2023 for the Malaysian market. In Thailand, Toyota has since launched the updated version at the 2024 Thailand International Motor Show.

    Also, be aware that Toyota’s arm in the Land of Smiles did figure out a way for the GR Corolla and the GR Yaris to coexist within the same lineup. 

    Under the hood of the Thai-spec GR Corolla is a 1.6-liter inline-3 turbocharged engine capable of outputting 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Per Toyota, the model is capable of sprinting from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 5.29 seconds. It also has an all-wheel-drive system and the newly developed GR eight-speed automatic transmission. 

    GR eight-speed automatic transmission Photo from Toyota Motor Thailand

    For reference, here is a short overview of the Thai-spec Toyota GR Corolla:

    Model

    Toyota GR Corolla

    Engine

    1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbo

    Fuel

    Gasoline

    Transmission

    Eight-speed automatic

    Drivetrain

    All-wheel-drive

    Horsepower

    300

    Torque

    400 Nm

    Front suspension

    MacPherson strut

    Rear suspension

    Double-wishbone

    Brakes

    Front and rear discs

    Toyota GR Yaris update

    Yet another hot hatch we would love to see on Philippine roads this year is the updated version of the GR Yaris

    For sure, the older pre-updated version remains a potent ride, but the updated model does have some improvements courtesy of feedback coming from Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and expert racing driver Akia “Morizo” Toyoda, as well as many other professional race drivers. 

    Updated GR Yaris Photo from Toyota Motor Thailand

    On the outside, the model update received more vents for better cooling performance and aerodynamics. Plus, it makes the car appear sportier. 

    At maximum, the new hot hatch’s 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbocharged mill can dish out 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque, which is 43 hp and 40 Nm more compared to the locally available pre-updated version. It is still all-wheel-drive, but it may now come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox apart from the six-speed manual transmission most GR fans are familiar with.

    Other notable additions to the new GR Yaris are a redesigned dash, more front cabin headroom, and a new “Gravel” drive mode. The said mode automatically switches power distribution from the normal 60:40 (front and rear wheels) to 53:47. With the said setup, the car is able to perform power slides on loose or slippery roads. 

    updated GR Yaris rear Photo from Toyota

    Here’s a short summary of the updated Toyota GR Yaris’ mechanical specs: 

    Model

    Toyota GR Yaris (update)

    Engine

    1.6-liter G16E-GTS turbo

    Fuel

    Gasoline

    Transmission

    Six-speed manual/Eight-speed automatic

    Drivetrain

    All-wheel-drive

    Horsepower

    300

    Torque

    400 Nm

    Front suspension

    MacPherson strut

    Rear suspension

    Double-wishbone

    Brakes

    Front and rear discs

    Denza Z9

    The Denza Z9 is also another model we would like to see make a Philippine market debut. 

    In a nutshell, the Z9 is a full-size, five-seater sedan produced by Denza, a luxury-oriented subsidiary of automotive giant BYD. It was first introduced at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show, and it may come with a plug-in hybrid or battery-electric powertrain. 

    Denza Z9 GT EV Photo from Denza

    The most potent version of the Z9 is the GT electric vehicle (EV) version, which can produce up to 952 hp out of its three-motor setup. 

    For folks who missed it, BYD General Manager for Sales Asia Pacific Division Liu Xieliang has already confirmed that Denza will be seeing a Philippine brand launch in 2025. However, it hasn’t been confirmed whether the Z9 will be included in its initial lineup of offerings. 

    For now, here is a short summary of the Denza Z9 GT EV, which is currently sold in the Chinese market:

    Model

    Denza Z9 GT EV

    Motor

    Three permanent-magnet synchronous motors

    Range

    630 kilometers

    Battery

    100 kilowatt-hour

    Drivetrain

    All-wheel-drive

    Horsepower

    952

    Front suspension


    Adaptive air suspension

    Rear suspension

    Brakes

    Front and rear discs

    Final thoughts

    The models are just some of the hatchbacks and sedans we would love to see here in the Philippines in 2025. Sure, we missed some, but the current list already offers a good spread of variety.

    The Vios, for example, is a popular mass-market darling, and the next-gen version could further cement its presence locally. And, of course, Filipino enthusiasts will no doubt shower their attention on the updated GR Yaris and GR Corolla if they enter the market. 

    Of course, the list is by no means definitive, nor is it an accurate prediction of what lies ahead for the local market. As such, let us be patient for more updates, and let us keep our fingers crossed. 

    Also read:

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

    Here are the SUVs we want to see in PH this 2025

    Here are the crossovers, MPVs we want to see in PH this 2025

    Cesar Miguel

    Cesar Miguel

    A car enthusiast who dreams to spread his love of automobiles through writing. If he isn’t penning stories about cars, he usually spends his time in the digital race tracks of Assetto Corsa.

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