5 affordable family cars for budget-conscious buyers

The BAIC MZ45 is the extended version of the MZ40 with an extra three meters in length. The vehicle is equipped with features suited for practical car owners. The Chinese minivan can be configured to accommodate nine to eleven occupants with additional cargo and luggage space. Inside, the driver and passengers enjoy a wide range of convenient features, including sedan-like seats, 22 storage locations, and a high-power cooling system perfect for the Philippines’ hot season. The infotainment system is an intelligent LCD gauge so drivers can have easier access to vital information. Under the hood, the BAIC MZ45 is powered by a compact 4-cylinder 1.2L engine that pumps out 86 horsepower and 108 Newton-meter of torque. The powerplant is paired to a five-speed manual transmission. Some of the convenience and tech features present in the vehicle includes power windows, side mirrors, and standard keyless entry that makes the BAIC MZ45 an excellent car for delivering goods without compromising comfort. The Philippine-spec MZ45can be had in an ambulance configuration that features LED toplight, siren, and PA system, fully collapsible stretcher with lock, fabricated cabinet, oxygen tank holder, IV hook with strap, fluorescent lamp, non-slip matting, vinyl sticker, stainless bumper approach metal, and stainless ramp approach metal. BAIC Philippines offers the MZ45 for Php 598,000.

As the name suggests, the Suzuki APV 2023 is an all-purpose vehicle that is marketed as the brand's MPV entry alongside the Suzuki Ertiga. It can seat up to eight passengers in its two variants, namely the base GA and top-of-the-line GLX. Suzuki APV Price Philippines starts at PHP 733,000 and goes up to PHP 875,000. Under the hood, the APV uses a 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making up to 91 horsepower and 127 Nm of torque. Both locally available variants make use of a five-speed manual transmission. As for the dimensions, this 8-seater vehicle spans 4,230 mm in length, 1,655 mm in width, and 1,865 mm in height. The Suzuki APV competes against the likes of the Toyota Avanza and Mitsubishi Xpander.

The 2023 Toyota Avanza is a seven-seater MPV, which is now in its third-generation model. Locally, there are four trims for this MPV. These include the Avanza J 1.3 MT, the Avanza E 1.3 MT, Avanza E 1.3 CVT, and the Avanza G 1.5 CVT. Toyota Avanza 2023 Price Philippines starts at ₱833,000 for the entry-level J 1.3 MT, while the top-of-the-line Toyota Avanza G 1.5 CVT is priced at ₱1,059,000

Under the hood, the new Avanza either gets a 1.3-liter inline-4 gasoline, or a larger 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. At max, the 1.3-liter mill can make up to 97 horsepower and 122Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the 1.5-liter can produce up to 105 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque.  

There are two transmissions available to the 2023 Toyota Avanza. Depending on the variant, it either gets a five-speed manual gearbox, or a continuously variable transmission with a gear lever manual mode. As of this new third-gen version, the Avanza is now a front-wheel-drive vehicle. 

Size-wise, the new Avanza has a length of 4,395mm, and a width of 1,730mm. The Avanza G comes with the tallest height at 1,700mm. The E meanwhile comes next with its height of 1,690mm, while the J is the shortest at 1,665mm. All comes with a wheelbase length of 2,750mm. 

Locally, the Avanza rivals the likes of the Suzuki Ertiga, Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V, among others. 

The Suzuki Ertiga 2023 Philippines by auto industry stalwart Suzuki is a seven-seat, five-door, compact MPV. For the Philippine market, it is offered in three variants that all use a 1.5-liter K15B inline-4 engine capable of making up to 103 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. Available transmission options for this model include a four-speed automatic and a five-speed manual transmission. Moving to the dimensions, the Suzuki Ertiga has a length of 4,395 mm, a width of 1,735 mm, and a height of 1,690 mm. This Japanese MPV is competing in the local market against the likes of the Toyota Avanza, Mitsubishi Xpander, and Maxus G50.

The Maxus G50 is an eight-seater midsize MPV. In the Philippine market, this model is available in four different variants. There’s the G50 Comfort, the G50 Pro, the G50 Elite, and the top-spec G50 Premium. These range in price from Php 948,000 to Php 1,338,000. 

Under the hood, the G50 gets two engine options. The entry-level comfort uses a 1.3-liter turbo ineline-3 engine capable of making up to 161 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque. The Pro, Elite, and Premium meanwhile, come standard with a 1.5-liter inline-4 turbo mill that can produce up to 167 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. 

The Comfort variant then uses a five-speed manual gearbox, meanwhile, the 1.5-liter inline-4 variants uses a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. 

Locally, the Maxus G50 competes against the likes of the Toyota Innova. It also goes against other seven-seater models sold locally like the Mitsubishi Xpander and Xpander cross, Suzuki Ertiga, Geely Okavango, etc.