By Kap Maceda Aguila, Ulysses Ang, Vincent Villa, Jacob Oliva, Gen Tiu, Sam Surla, and Manny N. de los Reyes
The year 2025 was a banner one—once again—for new car buyers. Despite the weather disturbances, floods, and the universal uproar over government corruption, over 450,000 new cars rolled off showroom floors this year. Despite a slowdown in vehicle sales growth in the latter half of the year, it’s still very much a buyer’s market, with a whole gamut of shiny new cars being launched seemingly week after week and tempting financing offers being offered left and right.
So what are the best new cars to come out this year? We pooled together the editorial brain trust of our seven senior writers to decide the 10 best locally available new cars that stand out among a batch of overachievers.
But before we delve into the list, we’d like to share the honorable mention of solid new cars that missed the Top 10 by just a vote or two. They are the BMW M5, BMW X3, BYD Sealion 5, BYD Shark, BYD Tang, Chery Tiggo rEV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford Territory Hybrid, Honda HR-V e:HEV, Hyundai Creta, Hyundai Palisade, Lexus LX 700h, Nissan Patrol, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Tesla Model Y, and Vinfast VF6. These cars are basically tied for 11th and 12th places—overachievers all.
Here then are the Top 10 Best Cars of 2025, in ascending order..
10. BYD eMAX 9
BYD isn’t shy in competing at the hottest segments and the eMAX 9 continues that tradition by going against the Toyota Alphard. The eMAX 9 offers more creature comforts, like those power-tumble rear seats, in a more attainable price point. It’s also a DM-i model meaning you won’t have to think about chargers in your destination no matter how far they are.
9. MG ZS Hybrid+
The ZS is what helped MG bust into the local industry in a big way back in 2018. The bestselling model of MG in the Philippines now gets a “glow-up,” in addition to – for the first time – hybrid powertrain. Longer, wider, and lower than the outgoing version, it also boasts a bigger cabin and better cargo flexibility. Driver visibility has been improved, and comes with enhanced safety through advanced driver assistance system features in the MG Pilot.
8. Mazda BT-50
The facelifted Mazda BT-50 is proof the brand can execute a pickup truck that still shares the same premium design inside and out with the rest of its lineup. Being based on the Isuzu D-Max, you get the best of both worlds when it comes to reliability and power, and you also get Mazda Philippines’ five years of free PMS as the cherry on the top of this well-rounded package.
7. Suzuki Fronx
The Fronx effectively answers a long-standing gap left by the Vitara, but it approaches the role with a modern twist. Mild-hybrid assistance, improved interior space, and car-like driving manners give it a broader appeal than its size suggests. It’s easy to drive in the city, comfortable enough for daily errands, and still practical for small families or single professionals. The balance Suzuki struck here feels deliberate, blending hatchback dynamics with crossover versatility. For the brand, the Fronx represents a smart reset rather than a simple replacement.
6. Hyundai Elantra
With a wide price range, starting at just above P1 million to just below P2.4 million, you could argue that there’s an Elantra for everybody. True enough, thanks to three suspension types, four powertrains, and five variants, it’s a big comeback to one of Hyundai’s most recognizable local nameplates. Whatever Elantra variant you choose—from the sensible HEV to the bonkers Elantra N—they’re all imbued with style, performance, refinement, tech, and value-for-money; qualities that surely make it a winner this 2025.
5. Porsche 911 GTS
If there’s one car that’s been resistant to change, it’s the Porsche 911. Throughout its 60-year history, it kept its basic formula. Time to time, however, a bigger evolutionary step is made and they did so with the Porsche 911 GTS. Using an electric turbo to boost its performance, the 911 GTS offers uncompromising power and increased tractability. Most important of all, it helps this “mid-grade” variant stand out within the 911 line-up with a renewed focus making it worthy of being one of the best cars to launch this 2025.
4. Jetour T1
Following the success of the T2, Jetour has made it more compact and attainable with the new T1. But don’t think of it as a lesser brother. The T1 has its own distinctions making it a comfortable, capable, and efficient SUV. It’s just as spacious as the T2 and should be given plus points for the easier to use conventional tailgate.
3. Toyota bZ4X
The much-awaited battery electric vehicle from Toyota is now here, and that speaks volumes about how the country’s longtime, undisputed sales leader is seeing the electrified mobility market. Set for launch on December 11 and billed as a 2026 model, the bZ4X is spec’d and priced well and boasts an uprated 570 kilometers of range to go along with its skill set. Powerful and poised, the bZ4X might just be the new poster child of the genre.
2. Toyota Ativ
For a market where the Vios has long been the default choice, the Toyota Ativ carries a weight – not only for the brand but for the buyers as well. It’s more than just a name change or a new model sitting beside the old one. By introducing a hybrid version of the country’s bestselling sedan, Toyota quietly signals where mass-market mobility is headed. The Ativ keeps the familiar formula that Filipino buyers trust, but layers in electrification without complicating ownership. It feels like a cautious but important bridge between traditional gas sedans and a more efficiency-focused future.
1. Mitsubishi Destinator
After establishing its new design direction with the Xforce, Mitsubishi needed something that spoke directly to families, and the Destinator fills that role neatly. It expands the lineup with a spacious, thoughtfully engineered vehicle that feels built for long-term use rather than quick trends. There’s a sense that Mitsubishi overbuilt the Destinator in the right places, prioritizing comfort, durability, and everyday usability. As a family-friendly addition, it lands at the right time, giving buyers a solid alternative that doesn’t feel like a compromise in design or substance.
