Which cars in the Philippines can you buy under Php 600k?

Updated Dec 28, 2022 | Same topic: Best Advice for Car Buyers

Here’s a list of brand new cars available in the Philippines that won’t break the bank.

In this day and age, the typical Filipino has definitely recognized the advantages of owning a private car. For starters, the public transport here in the country is in a sad and sorry state. Plus, a lot of brand-new car models available are simply beyond the budgets of many of our countrymen.

A picture of heavy traffic on EDSA

On regular days, this is what you could expect from roads like EDSA

Sure, there are thousands of second-hand cars available in the used car market today, but buying a brand new vehicle has a few irresistible advantages that you can’t get with a used car. For starters, finding the right one with the right condition can be a chore.

So what’s a car buyer with a budget to do? Look for a more affordable option. Luckily, the list of cars under Php 600,000 that are available here in the Philippines has gotten longer, thanks to the recent entry of the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso.

2020 Suzuki S-Presso vs Cars Under P600,000 in the Philippines

1. Suzuki S-Presso 2020

Specifications
Year/Make/Model
2020 Suzuki S-Presso
Class
City Car
Horsepower
67 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
90 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Engine
1.0-liter K10B Inline-3
Transmission
5-speed manual
Seating Capacity
5
Starting price
Php 518,000

The first car on this list is the Suzuki S-Presso 2020, Suzuki’s new, city car with an SUV-esque look, replacing the Alto in the Japanese marque’s lineup in the Philippines.

At first glance, you can immediately tell that the Suzuki S-Presso is a Celerio on stilts. It has a ground clearance of 180 mm and its dimensions measure at 3,465mm long, 1520mm wide, and 1565mm high.

Despite being classed as a city car, the S-Presso has SUV styling cues. There are the beefy looking wheel arches, as well as a very hefty looking front fascia.

A picture of the S-Presso driving in the city

Macho and cute in one neat package

Under the hood, the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso is powered by a K10B which is paired up with a five-speed manual transmission. With that configuration, it can produce up to 67 horsepower and 90 Nm of torque. According to many sources, the Suzuki S-Presso is capable of achieving 21.7 km/L.

The interior of the S-Presso might be small, but it can definitely fit four adults. Five if your passengers are a bit leaner. The variant available in the Philippines also comes with a 239L boot space, a 7-inch touchscreen, and fabric clad seats.

For safety, the S-Presso comes with dual front airbags, parking sensors, and an anti-lock braking system.

Currently, the S-Presso is the most affordable city car from Suzuki available here in the country. It’s also one of the most affordable from a Japanese brand.

>>> Related:

2. Suzuki Celerio 2020

Specifications
Year/Make/Model
2020 Suzuki Celerio
Class
City Car
Horsepower
67 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
90 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Engine
1.0-liter K10B Inline-3
Transmission
5-speed manual or CVT
Seating Capacity
5
Starting price
Php 558,000

>>> View full Suzuki Celerio Philippines price list with SRP and installment

A picture of the Suzuki Celerio parked in the city

The Celerio is the blue oni to the S-Presso's red oni

Slotted just above the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso in price, the Suzuki Celerio is likewise, classed as a city car. It also uses the same K10B engine as the S-Presso, but otherwise, its other variants have access to a continuously variable transmission.

At 3,600mm long, 1,600mm wide and 1,540mm high, the Suzuki Celerio is a bit larger than the S-Presso, unlike the latter, however, it has less minimum ground clearance at only 145mm. Another difference is that the Celerio lacks the beefy styling cues of the S-Presso. It has instead the quintessential city car, hatchback look which many have called “mature” back when it was introduced in August 2015.

Inside, the Suzuki Celerio is equipped with a seven-inch multimedia touchscreen, a manual air-conditioner, and a 254L trunk space. The Celerio also comes with dual front airbags and anti-lock braking.

3. Honda Brio 1.2 S MT 2020

Specifications
Year/Make/Model
2020 Honda Brio
Class
subcompact
Horsepower
89 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
110 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
Engine
1.2-liter L12B Inline-4 V-TEC
Transmission
5-speed manual or CVT
Seating Capacity
5
Starting price
Php 598,000

>>> View full Honda Brio price installment list in the Philippines

A picture of the Honda Brio RS

This is the more expensive RS variant but the entry-level S pretty much has the same overall shape

Released here in the Philippines last year, the Honda Brio is one of the vehicles that the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso will be pitted up against.

Now, what sets the Brio apart from the rest of the cars on this list is its sporty appeal. That’s because it’s the only sub-Php 600k hatchback from a Japanese brand currently available here in the Philippines that uses an Inline-4, the 1.2-liter L12B V-TEC engine. The said engine can produce up to 89 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque and on the 1.2 S MT variant, it is paired with a five-speed manual for this particular variant.

The Brio 1.2 S MT is equipped with a 1-DIN audio system capable of Bluetooth, a USB port, a 12-volt socket, four-speakers, a manual air-conditioning system, a fuel consumption meter, dual front airbags, and anti-lock braking.

Honda Brio 2019 Philippines Review & Road Test || Is it worth P598K for a city car? Philkotse

>>> Related:

4. Toyota Wigo 1.0 E MT 2020

Specifications
Year/Make/Model
2020 Toyota Wigo
Class
City car
Horsepower
63 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
89 nm @ 4,400 rpm
Engine
1.0-liter KR-VE inline-3
Transmission
5-speed manual or CVT
Seating Capacity
5
Starting price
Php 557,000

As Toyota’s entry into the city car segment, the Toyota Wigo is the rival of the Suzuki S-Presso, Suzuki Celerio, and Honda Brio. This is especially true with their entry-level variants.

Like the Suzukis on this list, the Toyota Wigo uses a 1.0 Liter inline-3 engine called the 1KR-VE. The aforementioned engine can make up to 63 horsepower and 89 Nm of torque and on the “E” variant, it is paired with a five-speed manual.

A picture of the Toyota Wigo parked near some buildings

As of recent times, the Toyota Wigo is one of the most dominant city car models in the market

The Wigo’s five passengers are kept entertained by 1-DIN audio capable of connecting via USB, and AUX. It also comes with manual air-conditioning and fabric-covered seats. It seems basic but it can definitely accommodate tall and wide passengers alike.

For safety, the Wigo E comes with dual front airbags and anti-lock braking.

Toyota Wigo 2020 Philippines Review & Road Test | Hatchback Solution | Philkotse

5. Suzuki APV GA 1.6-L MT

Specifications
Year/Make/Model
2020 Suzuki APV
Class
Minivan
Horsepower
91 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
Torque
127 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Engine
1.6 Liter G16 A SOHC
Transmission
5-speed manual
Seating Capacity
8
Starting price
Php 588,000

>>> Get to the most updated price page of the Suzuki APV

Leaving the realm of small, cute cars, we approach the realm of minivans. That’s right, there’s actually a minivan from a Japanese brand that’s priced under Php 600,000 here in the Philippines and it’s the Suzuki APV GA 1.6-L MT.

On the outside, the APV’s styling is leaning a bit more on the plain side. It looks like a loaf of bread on wheels and all of its corners are soft edges. It’s reminiscent of the early 2000s vehicles. Some might like that, some might not.

A picture of a Suzuki APV travelling rapidly on a road

Honestly, the styling isn't that bad. In fact, we rather like the early 2000's look

Overall though, the Suzuki  APV has a large road presence. It measures 4,155mm long, 1,655mm wide, and it has a height of 1,865mm. It also has the same amount of minimum ground clearance as the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso meaning it can take on rougher roads as well.

Under the front seats, the Suzuki APV is powered by the 1.6 Liter G16A inline-4 SOHC gasoline engine. It can produce a maximum of 91 horsepower and 127 Nm of torque.

Both variants of the APV are rear-wheel-drive and both variants only come with a five-speed manual. So, with how far into the car the engine is, coupled with the RWD/five-speed manual combo, the APV is basically a sports car.

Kidding aside, the Suzuki APV GA can seat eight people with room to spare for 714L of cargo. Inside, the APV GA is a bit simple. It comes with a 1-DIN audio system that does have an aux jack and a USB port.

Safety is handled by dual front airbags and an anti-lock braking system.

Did you find this list useful? You can find more cars under 500k Philippines on Philkotse.com for more articles like this one.

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

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