Top 10 7-seaters according to AutoDeal Customer Reviews over the last 12 months

Versatility is king for a lot of Philippine car buyers, and the list below shows the vehicles that buyers have come to prefer here in the Philippines over the last 12 months. The models listed can haul stuff, ferry people, and are rugged enough for any road trip or adventure you may want to take. Best of all, they all possess high ground clearance which gives you peace of mind when traversing in the city or out of town.

First on the list is the Mazda CX-8. It is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine pushing out a healthy 187 hp and 252 Nm of torque mated to a responsive six-speed automatic transmission. It is fitted with striking 19-inch wheels and has 200mm of ground clearance. It probably has the best-looking and feeling interior of the bunch with Nappa leather, zen wood, and an eight-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a host of safety features with Mazda’s I-active sense which include adaptive radar cruise control,  Smart Brake Support, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. It is also the most engaging and dynamic vehicle to drive compared to the rest of the vehicles in this list. 

Next up is the ever-reliable Toyota Innova. Brand prestige, reliability, and versatility all contribute to why this is one of the Philippines’ best-selling vehicles. It is powered by a robust 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 172 hp and 360 Nm of torque that is easy to work on and maintain. Though it can be a bit dry on tech and amenities, there is a reason why the Innova is used anywhere from being a commercial vehicle to handling family duties. It can do it all without issue, and for a lot of car buyers that is really all they need, plus a Toyota badge.

Buyers that want a little more refinement and style compared to the Toyota Innova usually go for the Mitsubishi Xpander. It is very light and easy to drive, and its unibody shell also means that it is more comfortable than ladder frame offerings. It is powered by a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine making 105 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque paired to either a four-speed automatic transmission or a 4-speed manual. While its figures are not impressive on paper, Mitsubishi has made sure that the engine and transmission are tuned properly to keep you in the right powerband at all times.

The Suzuki Ertiga has been a hit among car buyers thanks to its fuel-efficient engine and refinement from its HEARTECT based monocoque chassis. The introduction of its hybrid variant also gives this MPV very impressive fuel-economy figures by assisting the Ertiga in acceleration from a stop. Through this technology, this MPV can easily go north of 12 km/L with some going as high as 26 km/L on the highway. Figures come in at 103 hp and 138 Nm of torque from its 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, but thanks to its smooth powerband and mild-hybrid assistance, it is more than enough for daily duties.

Ford has given the Everest a very handsome update with an imposing front fascia and a redesigned rear-end that won’t leave you hanging in a five-star hotel driveway. Car buyers were quick to take note of these updates with Ford garnering a lot of sales. It comes with two engine options depending on the variant, a 2-liter single turbo four-cylinder diesel engine making a respectable 178 hp and 420 Nm of torque, and a 2-liter Bi-Turbo diesel engine making a commanding 210 hp and a whopping 500 Nm of torque. It also comes with a five-year 150,000 km warranty along with huge aftermarket support for those wanting to personalize their Everest.

Space, comfort, and a Honda badge? Buyers can’t go wrong with the Honda BR-V. Powered by a peppy 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine making 118 hp and 145 Nm of torque mated to a CVT, it drives better than the competition thanks to bigger numbers, and returns similar fuel economy figures as well. No wonder buyers are flocking to the BR-V, and with the introduction of the all new model (photo above), we can expect Honda to stay in this list in the future as well.

Those finding the regular Xpander a little too sedate and clean find themselves emanating towards the Xpander Cross thanks to its more rugged looks and taller ground clearance. Of course, styling is still subjective but at least Mitsubishi gives options to its buyers, especially those not wanting to spend on higher priced PPV’s—that’s why it finds itself on this list. Engine and drivetrain remains unchanged with the same 1.5 liter engine found on the regular Xpander.

Toyota has finally given the Avanza a redesigned look to keep up with the times, and buyers are all for it with great sales and feedback. It has the proven 1.3- and 1.5-liter engines found in the Toyota Vios, but Toyota has made changes to its transmission tuning to make sure the Avanza can make use of the torque available due to its heavier weight, and supposed purpose. Great aftersales, parts availability, and of course the proven Toyota reliability, we can expect the Avanza to gather a lot more buyers for years to come.

Geely has been doing very well since its re-entry in the Philippines, and one of the models to thank for Geely’s growth is the Okavango. Powered by a powerful and fuel-efficient 1.5-liter three-cylinder with a 48V mild-hybrid system pumping out 190 hp and 300 Nm of torque along with a seven-speed DCT. It delivers great fuel-economy, and is powerful enough for overtaking during out of town getaways. It also has different driving modes that changes the engine and transmission behavior, plus the top-of-the-range variant gets Matrix LED headlights. Interior is also very spacious with the addition of a large panoramic sunroof, along great materials all throughout. It also helps that the Geely Okavango gets a number coding exemption because of its mild-hybrid system.

Entering the cutthroat PPV segment back in 2018, the Terra has made its mark as a household pick garnering a lot of sales and attention. The addition of a 2021 update of the Terra along with great customer feedback only means that this is here to stay and is at home amongst tough competition. It features the Nissan Intelligent Mobility with an Around-View monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, blindspot monitoring, and a host of other safety features. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine producing 187 hp and 450 Nm of torque, it is also ready for any situation you can throw at it. The updated interior is also a welcome addition with buyers noting its space, versatility and comfort as its strong points.