CAGI Awards 2017 Car and Truck of the Year

After 13 years of recognizing the best car and truck models on the Philippine automotive stage, Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) announced as the proud winner of the much-coveted 2017 CAGI and Carmudi.com.ph Car of the Year Philippines title was the Honda CR-V 1.6 SX Diesel after just clawing its way to the top and coming down to the wire in a tight tabulation of over-all results with other two highly competitive finalists in the Volkswagen Jetta BE+ and the Suzuki Vitara GLX.

This top winner first edged out other rivals in its crossover AWD class, such as the Nissan X-trail, Mazda CX-5 and the Volkswagen Tiguan before going up the ranks to compete for the top crown. Having the local consumers’ preference in mind, testers, in particular, were more focused on the essentials and thus, was primarily in tune with what the CR-V 1.6 SX Diesel was offering—high-quality interior and a number of unique distinct features that render it to stand out among the rest.

The 2017 CAGI and Carmudi.com.ph Truck of the Year- Philippines award, on the other hand, was bestowed to the Mitsubishi Strada GLS 4×4 MT after besting the Isuzu D-Max 4×2 in a likewise fierce rubber match of pick-up trucks.

After topping their respective categories, the two went head-to-head in fit, feel, form and functionality with the prior just winning by a hairline in terms of interior quality and the like.

“Like what we stated prior the testing that this year’s line-up of vehicles was composed mostly of crossovers, it then eventually justified the outcome. In the history of CAGI, it was the first time that a crossover vehicle won over-all. Hence, it only means to show that manufacturers now are continuously improving their products to be able to fit the needs of the market. For Filipinos nowadays, they want vehicles that are not too big, not too small, but just right,” de los Reyes conveyed.

“Thus, congratulations to all the winners.”

CAGI has etched six exhausting days in the calendar in a span of three months for the testing of all the new cars and pick-up trucks at Ayala Land Premier’s newest development down in Taguig, Arca South.

In this manner, after being scrutinized under the careful eye of the testers and the strict, rigorous process of partner auditing firm KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co., 41 cars and trucks were put in a seemingly torture chamber to be able to come up with best among the rest.

2017 Car of the Year- Philippines Winners
2017 Car of the Year Winner – Honda CR-V 1.6 SX Diesel
Category Winners
1) Chevrolet – Spark LTZ	Basic Subcompact Car
2) Mazda 2	Subcompact Car
3) Volkswagen – Jetta BE+	Compact Car
4) BAIC – Freedom DC (Double Cab)	Compact Commercial Utility Vehicle (Double Cab)
5) Foton Gratour Midi-Truck	Compact Commercial Utility Vehicle (Single Cab)
6) Honda BR-V 1.5 S	Compact Crossover 2WD
7) Subaru XV 2.0is	Compact Crossover AWD
8) Honda CR-V 1.6 SX Diesel	Crossover AWD
9) Honda CR-V 1.6 Diesel	Crossover FWD
10) Suzuki Vitara GLX	Subcompact Crossover
11) Volkswagen – Golf GTS BE+	Wagon
12) Honda Civic Type-R	Sport Compact
13) Mazda Philippines CX-9	Large Crossover AWD
14) Hyundai H350	Minibus
15) Nissan Premium	Large Van / MPV
16) Mini – One (Three-door)	Luxury Subcompact
17) Audi Q2 1.0 TFSI	Luxury Compact Crossover
18) Mazda MX-5	Sportscar
19) Maserati Levante S	Ultra-luxury crossover
20) Isuzu MUX	Mid-Sized SUVs 4×2
21) Mitsubishi Montero Sport GT	Mid-Sized SUVs 4×4
2017 Truck of the Year- Philippines Winners
2017 Truck of the Year Winner: Mitsubishi Strada GLS 4×4 MT
Category Winners
1) Isuzu D-Max 4×2	4×2
2) Mitsubishi Strada GLS 4×4 MT	4×4

 

The awarding ceremonies were also only made possible with the strong partnership with co-presenter Carmudi Philippines, together with the support of Ayala Land Premier, Arca South, NLEX Corporation, Worldbex Services International, Manila International Auto Show and SEC.

This was in collaboration with Car Awards Group, Inc. and its media partners: Business Mirror, Manila Bulletin, Philippines Graphic Magazine, Philippine Star, Cook Magazine, Malaya Business Insight, The Manila Times, JamesDeakin.ph, Carmudi.com.ph, Home Radio, DWIZ, Motortech.ph, ANC, TurbanRider.com, Motorsiklo Xklusibo, RidePh, Jap Media, Lifestyle on Wheels, Wheels Philippines, Makina and Aliw Media Group.

CAGI has members from the following media entities: Business Mirror, Cebu Daily News, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, The Manila Times, Bulgar, Mindanao Daily News, AQ Magazine, Autocar Philippines, C! Magazine, Carmudi Magazine Philippines, Motorcycle Magazine, Power Wheels Magazine, Speed Magazine, Top Gear Philippines, Wheels & Gears Magazine, 2nerMagazine.com, Ignition.ph, InterAksyon.com, Kotse.com, ManilaSpeak.com, MotionCars.com, Ride and Drive Phils., Speed by MP Turbo, SprocketPh.com, TessDrive.com, DZMM, Inside Motoring on DZRJ 810 AM, Mellow 94.7, Motoring sa DZME, The Motoring Page on Mellow 94.7 FM, ABS-CBN, Manila Street Kings, Real World Drive and Auto Review.