12 small sedans that won’t break the bank

Changan Philippines re-entered the Philippine market with five car models. Among the cars launched by Changan is the Alsvin, a five-seater subcompact sedan that goes up against the likes of the Kia Soluto, Toyota Vios, among others. 

The Alsvin is available in three variants with a choice of a five-speed manual or a five-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The entry-level model Alsvin comes with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine while the other variants are equipped with a 1.5-liter power unit. Changan Alsvin Philippines's price starts at Php 654,000 while the top-of-the-line Platinum variant has a sticker price of Php 794,000. 

Some of the notable features of the Changan Alsvin are the following: sunroof, cruise control, blind-spot, and rear cameras, tire pressure monitoring system, and leather seats.

Changan Alsvin Platinum – Jam-packed with features | Philkotse Reviews

The Suzuki Dzire 2023 is a subcompact, front-wheel-drive sedan distributed by Suzuki Philippines. Currently, Suzuki Dzire Price Philippines from Php 549,000 to Php 698,000. These variants include the entry-level Dzire Dzire GA 1.2 MT, the midspec Dzire GL 1.2 MT, and the top-of-the-line Dzire GL+ 1.2 AGS AT.

Powering the Suzuki Dzire is a 1.2-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making up to 82 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it either uses a  five-speed auto gear shift transmission, or a five-speed manual gearbox.

Locally, the Suzuki Dzire competes against the Hyundai Reina, the Kia Soluto, and other similarly prices models.

The Nissan Almera is a four-door compact sedan. For the Philippine market, its three available variants have a price ranging from Php 839,000 to Php 1,149,000. 

Size-wise, all trims are 1,740mm wide and 1,460mm tall. The top-spec VL meanwhile, is 4,530mm long, while the VE and EL are 4,495mm long. All three get a ground clearance of 135mm, and a wheelbase length of 2,620mm. 

Under the hood of the Philippine-spec Almera is a 1.0-liter turbocharged inline-3 gasoline engine that can make up to 99 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque. The three-banger is then paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) sending power to its front wheels for the VL and VE. The EL meanwhile, uses a five-speed manual gearbox.  

Locally, the Nissan Almera competes against the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Honda City, MG 5, Volkswagen Santana, Geely Emgrand, Hyundai Reina, Kia Soluto, etc. 
 

The MG 5 2023 is a five-seater, front-wheel-drive sedan. Locally, this model from MG Philippines has four different variants. These include the MG 5 Core 1.5 MT, MG 5 Core 1.5 CVT, the MG 5 Style 1.5 CVT, and the MG 5 Alpha 1.5 CVT. The prices for these range from Php 698,888 to Php 938,888. 

All trims of the MG 5 use a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine, which is rated to make up to 112 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it either uses a five-speed manual gearbox, or a continuously variable transmission. Power is then sent to its front wheels. 

Size-wise, the MG 5 comes with a length of 4,601mm, a width of 1,818mm, and a height of 1,489mm. It also has a ground clearance of 118mm, and a wheelbase length of 2,680mm. 

Locally, the subcompact MG 5 sedan competes against the likes of the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Changan Alsvin, Nissan Almera, Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Reina, Kia Soluto, Volkswagen Santana, Hyundai Accent, Honda City, Suzuki Ciaz, among others. 

Competing in the subcompact sedan segment, the Toyota Vios 2023 is the top sales contributor for the Japanese automaker. The price for the Toyota Vios in the Philippines ranges from PHP 732,000 to PHP 1,055,000. A total of 7 Toyota Vios variants are offered, with the top-of-the-line Vios GR-S variant coming with a tag of PHP 1,055,000. Two engine options are available in the range, which can be connected to either a 5-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Dimensions-wise, the subcompact sedan spans 4,425 mm in length, 1,730 mm in width, and 1,475 mm in height. The main rivals of the Toyota vehicle include the Honda City, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, and Nissan Almera.

The Toyota Vios is not only the best-selling model in the Japanese automaker's lineup, but the entire Philippine market. It serves as a reliable subcompact sedan for those who are looking for a daily driver. Also, the Vios is proudly Philippine-assembled which supports Filipino automotive workers. Now, the vehicle is competing in its respective class head high using the refreshed body released by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) in the country last 2020.

The Hyundai Reina is a four-door, subcompact sedan for the Philippine market. Locally, this sedan has four different variants. These are the Reina GL 1.4 MT, Reina GL 1.4 AT, Reina GL 1.4 MT (w/ Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), and the Reina GL 1.4 AT (w/ Apple CarPlay/Android Auto). The Hyundai Reina 2023 Philippines price ranges from Php 683,000 to Php 783,000. 

Under the hood of the Reina is a 1.4-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with a five-speed manual tranny, or a four-speed automatic gearbox. At maximum, it can make up to 94 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. All power is then sent to the car’s front wheels. 

Size-wise, the Reina is 4,300mm long, 1,705mm wide, and 1,460mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,570mm, and a ground clearance of 150mm. 

Locally, the Hyundai Reina’s direct rivals is the Suzuki Dzire and Kia Soluto. Other vehicles in its class also include the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Nissan Almera, Suzuki Ciaz, etc. 

The Kia Soluto 2023 is a 5-seater subcompact sedan that has been selling well in the local market, accounting for 21 percent of Kia Philippines' 2021 sales. It is available in four variants, Kia Soluto 2023 Philippines price ranges between Php 780,000 and Php 865,000. Powering this vehicle as standard is a 1.4-liter inline-4 gasoline dual CVVT that is capable of generating 94 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. Either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic can be connected to the engine.

Moving to the dimensions, the Soluto gets a length of 4,300 mm, a width of 1,700 mm, and a height of 1,460 mm. Also, it comes with a wheelbase and ground clearance rated at 2,570 mm and 150 mm, respectively. In the local market, the Korean subcompact sedan competes against the likes of the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, and Geely Emgrand.

The Volkswagen Santana is a subcompact sedan that had a refresh last February 2021. It is available in two variants, with a price that ranges from Php 805,000 to Php 948,000. Powering the vehicle is a 1.5-liter MPI gasoline engine capable of generating 109 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. As standard, the engine can only be connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission after Volkswagen Philippines dropped the manual transmission in 2021.

Dimensions-wise, the Santana spans 4,475 mm in length, 1,706 mm in width, and 1,469 mm in height, with a wheelbase rated at 2,603 mm. Locally, this German subcompact sedan is competing against the likes of the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, and Nissan Almera.

The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 2023 is the subcompact sedan entry of the Japanese automaker. It is also regarded as the sedan counterpart of the Mirage hatchback. They both share a lot of mechanical components, and they even use the same 1.2-liter inline-3 gasoline engine MIVEC engine that makes 77 horsepower and 100 Nm of torque. In the Philippines, Japanese car brand Mitsubishi markets four variants of the Mirage G4 sedan, with a price ranging from PHP 769,000 to PHP 899,000. In 2023, Mitsubishi introduced the limited edition Mirage G4 GLS Sport, which is priced at Php 929,000.

Both top-spec trim GLS and the mid-range GLX come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the entry-level GLX uses a five-speed manual gearbox instead. Dimensions-wise, this vehicle has a length of 4,305 mm, a width of 1,670 mm, and a height of 1,515 mm. Some of the rivals of the Mirage G4 include the Toyota Vios, Honda City, and Nissan Almera.

The Hyundai Accent is the Korean marque's entry to the competitive subcompact sedan category. It is available in six variants and the Hyundai Accent 2023 Philippines price that ranges from Php 790,000 to Php 1,038,000. Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) offers this model with two engine options consisting of gasoline and diesel mills. Lower-end variants use a 1.4-liter Kappa MPI Dual CVVT gasoline engine that makes 99 hp and 132 Nm of torque, while higher-end variants are equipped with a 1.6-liter CRDi turbodiesel engine that delivers 126 hp and 260 Nm of torque. As for the transmission, the engines can be connected to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Moving to the dimensions, the Accent spans 4,440 mm in length, 1,729 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase rated at 2,600 mm. In the Philippines, this Korean sedan is competing against the likes of the Toyota Vios, Honda City, and Nissan Almera. 

The 2024 Honda City is a subcompact sedan. In the Philippine market, its four variants are City E, City S, City V, and City RS—the prices for these range from Php 973,000 to Php 1,128,000. 

Size-wise, the refreshed City for 2024 is 4,580mm long, 1,748mm wide, and 1,467mm in height. The RS trim is a bit longer at 4,589mm. All trims then get a wheelbase length of 2,600mm and a ground clearance of 134mm. 

Under its hood is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making up to 119 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

Locally, the Honda City competes against the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Mazda3, Nissan Almera, Hyundai Accent, MG 5, etc. 
 

The Suzuki Ciaz 2023 is the Japanese marque's entry to the subcompact sedan segment. Coming in with a facelift from 2021, this model is now offered with one variant only which is priced at Php 888,000. Powering the small sedan is a 1.4-liter K14B gasoline engine capable of generating 91 horsepower and 130 Nm of torque. It is available in a 4-speed automatic transmission only.

Moving to the dimensions, the Ciaz has a length of 4,490 mm, a width of 1,730 mm, and a height of 1,475 mm. Moreover, it gets a wheelbase and ground clearance rated at 2,650 mm and 145 mm, respectively. In the Philippines, this Japanese subcompact sedan goes up against the likes of the Toyota Vios, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, and Honda City,