The local automotive market has seen the coming of several interesting models, including the Nissan LEAF and Volkswagen Multivan Kombi in 2021. It was also the year when the anticipated iterations of some of our favorite cars made their debuts, such as the 11th-gen Honda Civic, all-new Mazda BT-50, and Nissan Terra facelift.
Upcoming Cars Philippines 2022 – Confirmed, Most Likely, Hopefully | Philkotse Top List
But now, we look forward to what 2022 has to offer to Filipino car buyers. That said, we have compiled the new cars that will arrive on our shores for this year. To widen the coverage of the list of upcoming cars for 2022, we have categorized them into three: Confirmed, Likely, and Hopefully.
New Cars 2022: Confirmed
In this category, the arrival of the following cars in the local market has been officially confirmed by concerned car brands. This means that the cars in this category are slated to make their Philippine debut before the end of 2022.
1. Geely Emgrand
Chinese automaker Geely originally planned to introduce a new model every six months as part of its expansion plans in the country, but that was disrupted due to the challenges of COVID-19. In 2022, Geely Philippines has found its footing once again as it will add the first sedan, called the Emgrand, to its lineup.
Geely is expanding its lineup with the Emgrand
The company released a teaser showing that the new Geely sedan will arrive soon enough. It will be the fourth model in the local lineup, following the introduction of the Okavango last November 2020. Additionally, photos of what appears to be an Emgrand unit with a Philippine conduction sticker were leaked online.
2. Ford Ranger
The Blue Oval company wowed the world with the introduction of the all-new Ford Ranger last year. It comes with new styling reminiscent of the larger Ford F-150, as well as updated in-car tech. Ford Philippines announced that this next-gen model will be added to its lineup in 2022.
A tougher Ranger is coming
No official specifications for the PH-spec version have been disclosed just yet. But perhaps the one feature that many Filipino car buyers will look forward to is the new 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine. Other expected engine options include a 2.0-liter diesel engine in single- and bi-turbo configurations, as well as a 2.3-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine.
3. Kia Carnival
The all-new Kia Carnival will finally make its way to the local market. This model was updated last year, featuring a more modern appearance that is highlighted by the new tiger-nose grille and full-width LED taillights at the rear end.
A treat for Filipino families
According to early reports, the upcoming Kia Carnival will be priced from Php 2,180,000 for the rumored EX trim and Php 2,988,000 for the confirmed SX variant. It is expected to be equipped with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a handful of driver-assistance features.
4. Lotus Emira
Autohub Group confirmed that Lotus’ last hurrah for gas-powered models, the Emira, is set to arrive on our shores in the third quarter of this year. The British marque has officially ended the production of the Elise, Exige, and Evora as a step towards its future of manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) only.
Lotus has come a long way
Two of the expected engine options include a 2.0-liter Mercedes-AMG-sourced gasoline engine and a 3.5-liter supercharged V6. As for transmission options, the brand’s last gas-powered model will likely be offered with either a 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, or an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
5. Subaru BRZ
The all-new Subaru BRZ is itching to make its Philippine debut as the first batch allocation has already been sold out. Subaru Philippines announced that the updated sports car will be released in April, with reservations still ongoing.
The first batch of the new BRZ has reportedly already been spoken for
One can say that the Japanese marque addressed the lack of power in the previous generation with the new 2.4-liter boxer engine that makes 228 horsepower and 249 Nm of torque. Looking at Subaru Philippines’ price list on its website, the upcoming PH-spec BRZ will be available with both a manual and automatic transmission.
6. Subaru Forester
The next updated Subaru model that is set to arrive in the month as the Subaru BRZ is the facelifted Forester. According to the Japanese automaker, the two models are expected to debut at the upcoming Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).
Sharper aesthetics
Some of the features we can expect to see in the compact crossover are EyeSight 4.0 with improved Adaptive Cruise Control, a 2.0-liter hybrid e-Boxer engine that makes 145 horsepower and 188 Nm of torque, a Lineartronic CVT, and the brand’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive (SAWD) system.
7. Subaru WRX Wagon and WRX sedan
Later in June, the Subaru WRX Wagon/Levorg and WRX sedan have been confirmed to be added to the local lineup. The two models have been updated to showcase a sportier and more aggressive appearance, while retaining WRX design cues such as the hood-mounted scoop.
Two WRX models will arrive
Just like the said Subaru models above, Subaru Philippines has been mum about the specifications. However, we can expect the WRX Wagon and WRX sedan to be powered by a 2.4-liter turbo boxer engine that makes 256 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. This is expected to be paired with a SAWD system and Lineartronic CVT.
8. Toyota Raize
Finally, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) will be offering a subcompact crossover in its lineup with the Raize. One can say that this is a strategic move considering how segment contenders such as the Geely Coolray and Kia Stonic have been doing well in the local market.
The smallest crossover in TMP's lineup once it makes its debut
No exact dates were released by the company just yet. But in our previous report, the upcoming subcompact crossover should arrive in February 2022. The price will reportedly range from Php 746,000 for the base 1.2 E MT and goes up to Php 1,031,000 for the 1.0 Turbo CVT, with an optional White Pearl paint for Php 15,000.
New Cars 2022: Likely
The next category on this list of upcoming cars this 2022 is “Likely.” Here, none of the following cars were confirmed to arrive locally. However, we’re expecting them to make their Philippine debut this year in consideration of a few factors such as market trends and availability in our neighboring countries.
1. Ford Everest
The all-new Ford Everest was slated to make its global debut in the first quarter of 2022. It was seen being tested on the road under a camouflage which shows a similar design to the all-new Ford Ranger. This should be an exciting feature for Filipino car buyers who want to drive a more aggressive-looking SUV.
It is still under cover
Ford Philippines hasn’t directly addressed the question of the new model’s possible arrival in the local market. However, if we look at the company’s official website, we can see that the updated midsize SUV was added to its ‘Coming Soon’ model page. The company is expected to give word once the new model makes its global debut.
2. Honda BR-V
The all-new Honda BR-V made its debut in Indonesia last year with an updated design that makes the model look more like an SUV. But of course, this vehicle is still categorized as an MPV. For Filipino car buyers, this update is worth looking forward to as the model hasn’t been changed since its introduction in 2016.
A more muscular finish
No major changes were made under the hood. But the in-car tech received significant updates with the inclusion of the Honda Sensing. It provides the Japanese MPV with features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking , Adaptive Cruise Control, and Blind-Spot Monitoring, among others.
3. Honda HR-V
Another Honda model that is available in our neighboring country is the all-new Honda HR-V. The Thai market debuts the new third-gen HR-V with a sleeker styling and a hybrid powertrain. And just like most new models released in the Land of Smiles, the Philippine market is expected to follow shortly.
A well-rounded crossover
Powering the Thai-spec Honda HR-V is a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated i-VTEC engine that makes 105 horsepower and 127 Nm of torque. Assisted by a lithium-ion battery and two electric motors, the performance numbers go up to 131 horsepower and 253 Nm of torque.
4. Mitsubishi Xpander
In Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation’s (MMPC) lineup, the Xpander hasn’t received a significant update since its introduction in 2018. Fortunately, reports say that Mitsubishi will start exporting the Xpander facelift this year from Indonesia, with the Thai market as the first recipient of the updated MPV.
The favorite gets a deserving update
The facelifted model brings a few changes in terms of design. However, the biggest update is found on the powertrain as it will replace the 4-speed automatic gearbox with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). With this, the model is expected to deliver better fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing model.
5. Suzuki Celerio
We reported that Suzuki Philippines will introduce the all-new Celerio in the first quarter of 2022. The latest third-generation Celerio was launched in November last year by Maruti Suzuki in India, featuring a more snazzy appearance compared to the outgoing model.
It now looks younger in style
Under the hood, the new hatchback is powered by a next-gen 1.0-liter K10 3-cylinder that gets dual variable valve timing, dual injectors, and a cooled exhaust gas recirculator. Also, start-stop technology has been added to the model which is said to improve fuel efficiency by 23 percent.
6. Suzuki Swift
Another Suzuki model that is likely to arrive in the Philippines is the facelifted Suzuki Swift. According to the same report above, the new Swift should arrive earlier than the Celerio. But as of this writing, Suzuki Philippines hasn’t officially spoken on the matter.
A sportier appeal
The most significant changes are found on the exterior with the new honeycomb patterned grille and revamped headlights. These updates will help bring out the sporty nature of the Japanese hatchback. Inside, features such as automatic climate control, engine push start, and keyless entry will reportedly become standard equipment.
7. Toyota Avanza
Considering how popular the Toyota Avanza is among Filipino families, many were excited when its all-new model made its debut in Indonesia. It comes with a bolder and more aggressive design that is highlighted by the larger grille upfront.
It will come out as a better vehicle overall
But perhaps the biggest changes are found in the powertrain. Moving forward, the Avanza will not utilize a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) system anymore. Instead, the carried-over engines will exclusively send power to the front wheels. In addition, the automatic transmission has been replaced in favor of a CVT.
8. Toyota GR 86
Since Subaru Philippines has been making moves for the all-new PH-spec BRZ, TMP will likely introduce the new GR 86 in the country. For the uninitiated, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR 86 are the same car that was produced through the partnership between the two brands.
Subaru BRZ's twin, the GR 86
As such, we can expect the Toyota sports car to be available in the local market this year as well. There are only a few differences between the two sports car in terms of design. But under the hood, they share the same 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated engine, with the GR 86 making slightly more horsepower at 232.
9. Toyota GR Models
The last “Likely” new cars to arrive in the Philippines this 2022 are the GR versions of the Land Cruiser 300, Wigo, Yaris, Avanza Veloz, Rush, and Corolla Cross. These models are already available in other markets, showcasing a sportier finish courtesy of the Gazoo Racing (GR) branding.
The Land Cruiser GR Sport
Looking at TMP’s lineup, one can say that the company is taking the initiative to introduce the GR versions of its models. As of this writing, models such as the Vios, GR Supra, GR Yaris, Fortuner, and Hilux already received the GR treatment. But of course, the company still has to consider whether a certain GR version will sell locally.
New Cars 2022: Hopefully
Here on our third category named “Hopefully,” the following cars have not been confirmed to arrive here in any way. Regardless, these are models that we hope will receive an update in 2022. This way, they can become more competitive in the local market.
1. Kia Sportage
Despite being introduced in June 2021, Kia Philippines hasn’t let out a word regarding the possible arrival of the fifth-generation Sportage. It now even has a new Hybrid version in the North American market, boasting a driving range of 805 km.
Truly a next-gen look
Considering the new Sportage’s appealing futuristic design inside and out, we are hopeful that this will be driven on Philippine roads soon enough. If Kia Philippines adds this compact crossover to the local lineup, it will join the new Sorento as the recently-updated Kia models in the country.
2. Mitsubishi Mirage
The arrival of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 facelift has been well-received by Filipinos. Its update is highlighted by the new Dynamic Shield front fascia that makes the subcompact sedan look more like its larger siblings such as the Mitsubishi Xpander and Montero Sport.
The Mirage hatchback now features the Dynamic Shield
With that being said, the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback facelift should be brought in as well. If this comes to pass, then all Mitsubishi models in the Philippine lineup will be featuring the Dynamic Shield front fascia. Well, except for the Mitsubishi L300, of course.
3. Mitsubishi Ralliart
For many Mitsubishi fans, the return of the Ralliart is worth celebrating. The brand’s motorsport division started its comeback with the aesthetic upgrades on the Montero Sport and Strada. Also, a Ralliart version of the Mitsubishi Outlander is slated to debut at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Back after so long
We don’t want to get our hopes up but an unnamed source claims that MMPC will make Ralliart available in the local market. As Ralliart continues to grow its new products, we hope that we Filipinos can be part of that expansion as soon as possible.
4. Nissan X-Trail, Juke, Sylphy
Lastly, we are hopeful that Nissan Philippines will update the X-Trail, Sylphy, and Juke In 2021, the company managed to update three of its most popular models, namely the Navara, Terra, and Almera. The three models now come with a more assertive design and tech updates that make them even more competitive in their respective segments.
Nissan Philippines should make it happen
So for 2022, we think that it is just right for Nissan Philippines to roll out updated versions of the X-Trail, Sylphy, and Juke. It would be interesting to see the updates for these Nissan models considering how neat the revisions made on the company’s more popular models last year.
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