9 affordable cars ready for long drives

Intro

Long drives can be a pain. For most cars, it means hours and hours of pressing your foot on the pedal. On that note, many cars sold right now have addressed this issue by having cruise control. But do note that most models that have this feature can often fetch heavy prices. 

These are comfortable cars that won't break the bank

So what about affordable cars with cruise control? Are there any? Well to answer that, here is a list of cars that won’t break the bank, but are capable of providing nice comfy drives with their cruise control feature. 

JAC S2

Next up on this list is the JAC S2. It is a five-seater crossover, and its CVT variant is equipped with cruise control. Its interior also features leather seats, a seven-inch infotainment system, and push-to-start button.  

The JAC S2

Powering the S2 subcompact crossover is a 1.5-liter engine that can make up to 111 horsepower and 146 horsepower. Like many of its rivals, it is a front-wheel-drive vehicle. It then uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

Not bad for a car with a Php 720,000 to Php 770,000 price range. 

Changan Alsvin

With a price range of just Php 579,000 to Php 679,000, the Changan Alsvin is one of the most affordable cars that comes with cruise control. Specifically, it is kitted out on the Alsvin 1.5 DCT, and the Alsvin 1.5 DCT Premium. 

It looks great in the metal too

Apart from that, the Alsvin’s interior is also kitted out with a lot of creature comforts for its price. It comes with a seven-inch headunit, a reverse camera and parking sensors, stability control, as well as tire pressure monitoring. 

Under the hood of the Alsvin is a 1.5-liter engine that can produce up to 106 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The said engine is then paired with a five-speed dual-clutch automatic tranny that sends power to its front wheels. 

BAIC M60

If you want to go on road trips with your barkada or family, then you might want to consider the BAIC M60. Specifically, the M60 Standard provides the most value for your money as it can seat up to seven, and it has cruise control. 

The M60 is one of the most affordable seven-seater models in the market today

Other notable features found on the M60 standard is a tilt and telescopic steering column, rear air-conditioning vents, a nine-inch LCD display, a push-to-start button, among others. 

For power, the M60 uses a gasoline sipping 1.5-liter mill. At maximum, this four-banger can churn out 148 horsepower and 210 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels via CVT.  

GAC GA4 GE

Another sedan on this list is the GAC GA4. It offers a sleek and understated exterior, plus its top-spec GA4 GE variant comes with cruise control. Of note, the price range for the GA4 starts at Php 788,000, and ends at Php 988,000 for the top-spec variant.  

Despite its price tag, the GA4 is also one of the more powerful sedans in the compact car segment in the Philippines. This of course makes it great for cruising the country’s highways or making short work of out-of-town trips. 

Looks classy for its price

At most, its 1.5-liter engine can dish out up to 136 horsepower and 202 Nm of torque. It then uses a six-speed automatic gearbox to send power to its front wheels. 

Besides its power, the GA4 also has a decent amount of creature comforts. Specifically, its top-of-the-line GE variant comes with leather seats, a tilt and telescopic steering column, automatic air-conditioning, a push-to-start button, an eight-inch touchscreen headunit, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, etc. 

Its safety kit is also no slouch as it has four airbags, stability and traction control, as well as a tire-pressure monitor. 

Chery Tiggo 2

For a model with a Php 695,000 to Php 770,000 price range, the Chery Tiggo 2 five-seater crossover is quite loaded. For starters, it has cruise control. But besides that, the top-spec Tiggo 2 AT also comes with leather seats, automatic air-conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, power-folding side mirrors, and stability control. 

The hip and youthful Chery Tiggo 2

Its 1.5-liter engine also makes an adequate amount of power. At most, it can make 103 horsepower and 135 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to its front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. 

Volkswagen Santana GTS

The sole car from a European brand on this list is the Volkswagen Santana GTS. This of course is the more premium wagon form of Santana sedan, and so it comes with more niceties. 

It definitely has more cargo space than the already roomy Santana sedan

Notable features aboard this wagon include four airbags, stability control, leather seats, etc. And being a wagon, it also offers more in the way of carrying capacity than the Santana sedan. That’s particularly useful for travelers as it has more space for your bags and pasalubongs. 

Under the hood of the Santana GTS is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that can generate up to 107 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission then sends power to its front wheels. 

In the Philippine market, the sole variant of the Santana GTS is the 1.5 MPI SE AT, which currently has a price tag of Php 998,000. 

Maxus G50

For those who want more space to stretch around on long drives, then you should consider the Maxus G50, in particular the G50 Comfort variant. At most, this MPV can seat up to eight, so you can bring along your family/friends on out-of-town vacations too. And like the others on this list, it is an affordable model that comes with cruise control. 

Besides being able to carry a lot of people, the Maxus G50 also gets a handful of high-tech features usually reserved for more expensive models. For instance, it comes standard with an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, a push-to-start button, and a tire-pressure monitor. 

It has ample room for your immediate family, plus the family pet

The more expensive versions also come equipped with a 12.3-inch headunit, a 360-degree view camera, power-folding side mirrors, automatic headlamps, a power liftgate, etc.  

For engines, the G50 gets two options. The entry-level G50 Comfort uses a 1.3-liter mill that can make up to 150 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque. It uses a six-speed manual gearbox. The larger engine is a 1.5-liter inline-4 that can churn out 167 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. The said engine is then linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. All variants of the G50 are front-wheel-drive.  

For the Philippine market, the G50’s price ranges from Php 948,000 to Php 1,338,000.

MG 5

The MG5 is also one of the affordable sedans with cruise control in the local market. It has a price range of Php 658,888 to Php 848,888, and three of its CVT versions come with cruise control. 

To provide more comfort on long drives, the top-spec MG 5 Alpha gets auto on/off headlamps, a sunroof, power-folding side mirrors, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an automatic air-conditioning system, etc. 

The MG5

It also has a lot going for it in terms of safety as its higher-spec trims get tire pressure monitoring, stability control, cornering brake control, six airbags, among others. 

Moving on to engines, the MG 5 uses a 1.5-liter four-banger that can produce a maximum of 112 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it uses a CVT or a five-speed manual gearbox. All trims of the MG 5 are front-wheel-drive. 

Geely Coolray

Last but not the least on this list is the Geely Coolray. And yes, all of its variants including the entry-level Coolray Comfort comes with cruise control. 

Besides that, the Coolray is also one of the most powerful subcompact crossovers in the Philippine market right now. Its turbocharged 1.5-liter three-banger can make up to 177 horsepower and 255 Nm of torque. That’s more than enough for dealing with local expressways. 

This affordable crossover has power, and it's also a head turner

For transmissions, the Coolray exclusively uses a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. All of its trims are equipped with paddle-shifters, and they’re all front-wheel-drive. 

The top-spec Coolray Sport is also kitted out to make the most out of your road trips. It has an automatic climate control system, a tilt and telescopic steering column, leather seats, a 10.25-inch touchscreen headunit, and a push-to-start button. 

Doing errands in the city is also made easy for the Coolray Sport with its active parking assist. This feature allows the car to park itself. Also standard on the Coolray Sport are stability control, traction control, speed-sensing door locks, tire pressure monitoring, six airbags, and many other safety features. 

Pricing for the Coolray ranges from Php 978,000 to Php 1,198,000. 

Want to buy these cars? Then do keep an eye out for listings of brand new and used units on our car for sale section.