Top 10 Light Commercial Vehicles in the Philippines

Updated: August 31, 2023

At some point, a business will need a vehicle that you can depend on for logistics. It can be a big investment since Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) from reputable manufacturers can get expensive. These multi-purpose commercial vehicles can easily meet the growing needs of your business in one form or another. They can assist you as a means of transportation, as a means of cargo, and can even be retrofitted to meet more specific needs.

For this list, however, we will not be including the cab and chassis versions of popular trucks on the market as they will still need to be outfitted with more body panels before they can be used. Instead, we will be focusing on vehicles that are ready to use and come with general-use equipment that is adaptable to any business. With that being said, let’s get into this top 10 list arranged in no particular order. 

A veteran of the LCV market, the Mitsubishi L300 has been a popular choice for those looking for a dependable vehicle for their business. Recently updated by Mitsubishi itself to come with a more environmentally-friendly engine, the vehicle has also gotten a minor design change. Its cab sits slightly higher than the prior generation, its ride height has been adjusted, and it now comes with a more powerful engine. At the heart of the L300 beats a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 97 hp and 200 Nm of torque. Just like its predecessor, it still sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. 

A light truck you can depend on is the Kia K2500. One offering from the South Korean market, the K2500, offers a powerful diesel engine, multiple body designs you can choose from the dealership, and a 4x4 system that isn’t a common feature in the segment. It comes equipped with a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 128 hp and 255 Nm of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels or to all four via a six-speed manual transmission depending on the variant. On top of this, Kia even boasts a 10,000 parts catalog that is ready to meet the growing demand for its vehicles, along with a seven-day parts shipping program thanks to its partner DHL. 

Another South Korean offering that is worthy of your consideration is the Hyundai H-100. This light commercial vehicle offers an adaptable platform that can be easily suited to almost any kind of business. It boasts a comfortable seating position for the driver, a rust-resistant body, a strong engine, as well as better braking abilities. Under the hood, it comes with a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 128hp and 255 Nm of torque, It sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. If you are looking for a dependable and configurable vehicle then you should consider the Hyundai H-100.

A Japanese offering on this list that comes in a compact form factor is the Suzuki Carry. Like the other options on this list, it comes with a configurable body and can be had as with either a cargo body or with a cargo bed depending on your needs. The small yet lightweight vehicle is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine similar to that found in the Suzuki Jimny. It produces 95 hp and 135 Nm of torque and shifts via a five-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. Despite its small size the compact light commercial vehicle still boasts an impressive 940kg payload capacity. 

The Toyota Lite Ace is the brand’s entry into the light commercial vehicle segment in the Philippines. It is available in multiple body styles right off the showroom floor that can be adapted to your business needs. It has MacPherson struts at the front for its suspension and leaf springs at the back for all models except for the Panel Van version which comes with a five-link coil spring instead. Powering the Lite Ace is a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated motor which is good for 97hp and 134 Nm of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. 

Going up a size into the realm of the light-duty trucks is the Isuzu Traviz. One of the newest commercial vehicle additions to the Japanese brand’s lineup in the country, it comes with two wheelbase options to choose from in order to help you maximize cargo space for your business. It comes equipped with a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 77hp and 177 Nm of torque. The diesel motor is mated to a five-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. If you want a vehicle that is below the P1,000,000 mark and is backed by a brand known for its reliability then the Isuzu Traviz should be worthy of your consideration. 

Another vehicle that could return great service and exceptional value is the Maxus V80. The light commercial vehicle comes available as both a passenger hauler and a cargo hauler. It can be both a workhorse for your business or a transport vehicle for your entire family.  It comes equipped with a powerful diesel engine that produces 134hp and 330 Nm of torque making it one of the more powerful vehicles in the segment along with being one of the largest. If you want an easily configurable commercial vehicle that can be suited to your family and business needs then you might want to consider the Maxus V80. 

With the relaunch of Hyundai Philippines under new leadership in the country came a new lineup of vehicles. Among the newcomers was the Hyundai Staria. While it is predominantly a people carrier, the South Korean automaker also brought in a cargo model. It comes powered by a 2.2-liter turbo diesel motor that produces 177hp and 430 Nm of torque. While the picture above displays the passenger variant there is a cargo model available with plastic bumpers in black and on steel wheels. 

Another cargo variant of a popular van is the Nissan Urvan Cargo. Just like the premium model it is based on, it comes equipped with a high roof—enabling more space inside for vehicles for taller items to be stored. It also comes with a powerful and frugal diesel engine that will aid you with your business transportation needs. It is equipped with a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 129hp and 356 Nm of torque, making it one of the more powerful options available in the segment. Just like many other entries onto the list, it shifts via a five-speed transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. 

The Toyota Hiace Cargo presents itself as a capable cargo hauler that can easily be adapted to any business. It comes with the long rectangular design of the previous generation but still retains the space you need for your business-related requirements. It comes equipped with a 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine, one of the biggest motors in the segment, that produces 136hp and 300 Nm of torque. It shifts via a five-speed manual transmission that sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. If you want a vehicle that is backed by a brand known for its ease of parts and reliability, then you should consider the Toyota Hiace and its cargo variant.