6 pickup trucks to choose from under P1.5-million

Intro

Not everyone is made out of money; that is pretty much obvious. It holds true even for business people, especially those who are just starting out and who will want to stretch their capital as much as possible. Regardless, most businesses and some families still want a robust but comfortable transport solution.

Families and entrepreneurs want a robust "do-it-all" vehicle

Sure, there are cheaper vehicles out there that can function as a reliable daily driver, but some customers might need something that can handle rough roads and carry loads while providing an ample amount of passenger comfort. For this, most turn to affordable pickup trucks.

On that note, we are listing seven pickup trucks that fall below the Php 1.5 million mark. As such, most of the ones we’ll be talking about are not top-spec models, and many have 4x2 drivetrains. Also, most of these come in a double-cab configuration, enabling them to seat up to five people.

Toyota Hilux

To kick off this list, we’ll start off with the ever-popular Toyota Hilux. It is now in its seventh-generation, and it received a facelift last year.

Specifically, the Hilux trims that fall below the Php 1.5 million price mark are the Hilux J, the Hilux E, Hilux G, and the Conquest 4x2 variants. All of them are powered by a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine, which can make up to 148 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it comes with either a manual or automatic transmission, both with six forward gears.

The Hilux Conquest 4x2 variant looks like the top-spec 4x4 variant, but it falls below the Php 1.5 million mark

The most affordable is of course the Hilux J with its utilitarian looks, followed by the Hilux E, then the Hilux G. The Hilux Conquest 4x2 looks and is specced a bit like the top-spec 2.8-liter variants, although it lacks a 4x4 drivetrain. Then again, it makes markedly less in the horsepower department, and it also has less airbags numbering at four.

From the Hilux J to the Hilux Conquest 4x2 AT, their prices range from Php 952,000 to Php 1,495,000.

Isuzu D-Max

Next up is the Isuzu D-Max. Specifically, its Single Cab variant, the RZ4E trims, and the LS-A trims. These range from Php 857,000 to Php 1,390,000.

As expected though, the aforementioned variants lack the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that’s available on the top-spec LS-E. They also have less interior features, although the revamped dash and interior arrangement given to the new third-gen D-Max model are still present.

The Isuzu D-Max LT variant

In the said price range, the D-Max offers either the very fuel-efficient RZ4E 1.9-liter engine or the 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine. The smaller mill can make up to 148 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, while the larger one can produce up to 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque.

Transmission choices for the lower-spec, sub-Php 1.5 million D-Max variants are a six-speed automatic and a six-speed manual gearbox. Most of them come with 4x2 drivetrains, while the D-Max LT is available with a 4x4 drivetrain.

Mitsubishi Strada

Another truck on this list is the Mitsubishi Strada, particularly the Strada GLX, GLS, GLS 4x4, and the Athlete 4x2. These range from Php 1,185,000 to Php 1,465,000.

The Mitsubishi Strada Athlete 4x2 variant is priced at Php 1,443,000 (Strada Athlete 4x4 pictured)

Powering the Strada is a 2.4-liter inline-4 turbodiesel engine that’s available on all trims, including the top-spec Athlete 4x4. At maximum, this four-banger can make up to 179 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. Depending on the trim, it can either get a six-speed automatic gearbox, or a six-speed stick-shift.

Of note, the GLS trim comes with a 4x4 drivetrain option paired with a manual transmission, with the rest getting 4x2 drivetrains. The Athlete 4x2 may have the digs of the flagship variant, but it lacks the Super Select-II 4x4 system.

Nissan Navara

The fourth Japanese-branded truck on this list is of course the Nissan Navara. It just received a major update last August 2021, and has upped its game in terms of on-board features and refinement.

The Nissan Navara VL Calibre

For the Navara trims priced below Php 1.5 million, these include the Navara EL, Navara VE Calibre, Navara VE 4x4 as well as the Navara VL Calibre. These range from Php 1,026,000 to Php 1,476,000 respectively.

Propelling all Navara variants is a 2.5-liter turbodiesel four-banger. The said engine can churn out 187 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. Depending on the trim, it can either get a six-speed manual gearbox, or a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Maxus T60

The first Chinese branded truck on this list is the Maxus T60, with all of its variants having sub-Php 1.5 million price tags. The most expensive T60 is the Elite 4x4 AT trim at Php 1,328,000, while the most affordable is the Pro 4x2 MT at Php 998,000. There’s also a midspec trim that’s the automatic version of the Pro, which has a price tag of Php 1,078,000.

The Maxus T60

Under its hood, the T60 uses a 2.8-liter engine that can generate up to 148 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. The entry-level trim gets a six-speed manual gearbox, while the top two trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission. Only the top-spec T60 Elite has a 4x4 drivetrain.

JAC T8

Another sub Php 1.5 million truck from a Chinese brand is the JAC T8. It has two variants for the Philippine market, and both use a 4x2 drivetrain combined with a six-speed manual transmission. Their prices range from Php 928,000 to Php 998,000.

The JAC T8

Powering the T8 is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that can produce up to 136 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque.

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