Top 5 best midsize SUVs in the Philippines in 2021

When checking car price tags, you will notice that midsize SUVs for sale are relatively expensive when compared to smaller vehicles that can be used as a family car as well. As such, taking into consideration some of the best SUVs in the Philippines is critical so you can get your money’s worth.

A midsize SUV is one of the most ideal family cars in the market considering the large space it offers which can accommodate third-row seating. Plus, the ground clearance of these vehicles is relatively high so going on trips with the family through sunny or rainy days can be the least of your problems.

So with that being said, we have made a list of five of the best midsize SUVs you can get in the Philippines. Prices and features are included so you can choose which best suits the needs of you and your family on the road.

1. Toyota Fortuner (Php 1,633,000 – Php 2,414,000)

Needless to say, the Toyota Fortuner has what it takes to be the top SUV in the Philippines. This claim is backed by its constant appearance not only in the top-selling 7-seater midsize SUV category in the country yearly, but also in the overall car sales figures regardless of vehicle type.

The new Toyota Fortuners in town

In 2020, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the official business unit of Toyota in the country, launched the facelifted version of its midsize SUV that now comes with a more stylish and refined flagship variant called LTD. The new variant is designed with more premium-looking features such as shaper LED headlamps, a two-tone paint, and a sleeker grille.

Inside, the lower-end variants including the base G and V variants use fabric for the seating material. Both the Q and new LTD variants are benefited from leather seats, but only the latter is designed with maroon accents. The Fortuner G is installed with a 7-inch infotainment screen, while the rest of the variants come with a larger 8-inch screen. All variants are equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

2021 Toyota Fortuner Review: Still the King of SUVs? | Philkotse Philippines

As for pricing, the Toyota Fortuner starts at Php 1,633,000 for the 2.4 4x2 G MT variant and tops at Php 2,414,000 for the top-of-the-line 2.8 4x4 LTD AT variant. The new and more powerful 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV diesel engine now produces 201 hp and 500 Nm of torque, making it eligible to join the 500 Club.

>> See more: Toyota Fortuner 2020

2. Isuzu mu-X (Php 1,350,000 – Php 2,145,000)

One of the most affordable midsize SUVs you can get in the Philippines for 2021 is the Isuzu mu-X. It comes with a price that ranges from Php 1,350,000 for the RZ4E LS 4x2 AT baseline variant to Php 2,145,000 for the 3.0 LS-A 4x4 AT flagship variant.

Your budget-friendly midsize SUV

Under the hood, the two engine options include a 1.9-liter RZ4E-TC turbo diesel and a larger 3.0-liter 4JJ1-TCX turbodiesel engine. The former can make 148 hp and 350 Nm of torque, while the latter can generate 175 hp and 380 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, the engine can be paired to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Exclusive to the mu-X LS-A is a 10-inch roof-mounted DVD monitor so the second and third-row passengers can watch a movie or film when going on out-of-town trips. Meanwhile, only the 3.0L variants are equipped with an 8-inch infotainment screen with a Wi-Fi display and USB link.

Despite the affordable price, this SUV is still dependable and reliable

If you are considering this model as your next family SUV, then you might want to keep in mind that Isuzu Thailand offers the all-new 2021 Isuzu mu-X which comes with a sleeker styling and roomier cabin. Isuzu Philippines hasn’t, unfortunately, put out a word regarding the matter so it’s your call whether you should wait for an official announcement or not.

3. Ford Everest (Php 1,738,000 – Php 2,299,000)

If you are in the market for a midsize SUV that offers a comfortable and premium cabin feel, then the Ford Everest should be included in your list. It is designed by the Blue Oval company to make the drivers and passengers experience first-class travel on a daily basis.

The American midsize SUV in Sunset Red

The seats are upholstered in leather as standard, with the mid-spec Sport variant coming with exclusive unique Sport accents. All variants except the base Everest Trend are installed with a 6-way power adjust for the driver and the front passenger.

A wide array of engine options are offered by Ford Philippines for its 7-seater midsize SUV. The Trend variant uses a 2.2-liter TDCi diesel engine that makes 158 hp and 385 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the Titanium and Sport variants come with a 2.0-liter single turbo-diesel engine capable of producing 178 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Lastly, the Everest Titanium+ is powered by a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel that can generate 210 hp and 500 Nm of torque.

A great family SUV option

One can make a case that the Ford Everest should belong to the top SUV in the Philippines in 2021. Besides, the price is considered fair even when compared to rivals. The price of the American midsize SUV ranges from Php 1,738.000 for the Trend variant to Php 2,299,000 for the Titanium+ variant.

4. Nissan Terra (Php 1,539,000 – Php 2,211,000)

Nissan Philippines introduced the Terra in 2018 to compete in the local midsize SUV segment. The Terra is powered by a 2.5-liter YD25 DDTi diesel engine that can make 190 hp and 450 Nm of torque for all of the variants.

The newest player in the local midsize SUV

The engine is paired to a 6-speed manual transmission for the base EL variant, while the rest uses a 7-speed automatic transmission with Manual Mode. As for the drivetrain configurations, only the Terra VL gets the option to come with a 4x4 system with a transfer select switch to help drivers control the vehicle.

Going to the inside, the interior of the base EL and mid-spec VE variants are upholstered in fabric, while leather is used on the flagship VL variant. Moreover, the EL variants are equipped with a 2-DIN 6.75-inch touchscreen. The Terra VE and VL get the upper hand as these are installed with an 8-inch advanced touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Offering a premium interior look

Pricing starts at Php 1,539,000 for the EL 4x2 6MT variant and goes up to Php 2,211,000 for the VL 4x4 7AT variant. Nissan Philippines is offering an Aspen Pearl White color option for all variants which comes with an additional Php 15,000. The Terra also makes it to our list of best SUV Philippines 2021. 

5. Mitsubishi Montero Sport (Php 1,568,000 – Php 2,298,000)

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is one of the popular midsize SUVs in the local market. It comes with strong and muscular exterior details that suit a vehicle for its large size.

A strong contender from the Japanese car brand

All variants except the base GLX variant are equipped with a smart display audio LCD touch screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is complemented with six speakers so even third-row passengers get a better on-road entertainment experience.

Powering the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is a 2.4-liter in-line four 4N15 turbocharged diesel engine that can make 179 hp and 430 Nm of torque. The base GLX variant utilizes a 6-speed manual transmission, while the rest of the variants use an 8-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode.

2021 Mitsubishi Montero Sport GT Review: Feature-packed SUV for the family

The most affordable variant of this model is priced at Php 1,568,000. This variant comes with cost-cutting measures to keep the price tag low such as the exclusion of several safety features. As for the brand’s GT 4WD flagship variant, it comes with a price of Php 2,298,000.

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