Top 40 most inquired-for vehicles in the first half of 2023

We’re at the halfway point of 2023, and the halftime show is usually when manufacturers are already comfortable with their 2023 year models, and thinking about bigger and better things to end the year with. More product launches are expected in the second half of the year, but with the vehicles we have now, it’s no secret that those new models will have to live up to many of the standards set by many brands at the start of the year. 

Based on our data, crossovers have been gaining a lot of traction in the market, and the most popular vehicle on AutoDeal at the halftime of the year is a model that came back bigger, better, and more like an SUV. Following close behind is a pickup truck, but even that segment shrunk a bit based on our metrics. 

Ford injected a little more “SUV” into its crossover. The compact Ford Territory has once again won the hearts and minds of many Filipino car buyers, and it stands as our number one for the first half of 2023. Bigger, buffer, and looking tougher than ever before, the Territory grows in size retains a good amount of value and it’s still available with the “it” features that consumers are looking for in a modern top-spec vehicle. The model is also a decent value at its base Titanium model, and for customers that want more, Titanium+ is a very enticing buy. 

Following closely is the pickup truck that still has the industry abuzz with excitement. It’s been a while since this model was launched, but it continues to be one of the hottest sellers in the market today. The Ford Ranger features some of the best tech in the segment, and it features the most striking big screen we’ve ever seen in a pickup truck, bar none. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the current best-sellers in the market today and a nice tech update to its predecessor. This time around, the Territory overtook it. It’s a good problem to have for the brand, and the pair of best-sellers continue to make Ford Philippines some very happy campers. 

Ever-present, ever-reliable, and ever-popular. The everlasting Toyota Hilux is a popular one on AutoDeal and it’s still alive and kicking in the market. Equipped with a tried-and-tested diesel engine, a good amount of features for every variant, and a top-of-the-line GR-S variant that really highlights the Hilux’s capabilities. Toyota reliability sells, and one of the most reliable nameplates in the market still continues to impress at number three this time in 2023.  

Toyota hit a home run with the Raize. A good portion of the market is looking for a cost-effective car that has a reliable track record to boot. The Toyota Raize continues to be one of the more popular crossovers in the market today, even if other brands have fielded bigger and arguably better-equipped models. 

Just like the Ranger, the Everest got a ton of updates when it was launched last year, and its exterior styling, interior redesign, and the reinvigoration of its spec sheet got a lot of people excited and asking if this would become their next car. For us, it was a pretty popular model, and it is now the most equipped midsize SUV currently out in the market today. 

The Nissan Navara finished third in the pickup truck race up to the halfway mark of this year, fifth overall, and the model is still a hot seller for the Japanese brand in the Philippines. Value at almost any price point, the Navara features a ton of great things going for it, and it also makes good with its 2.5-liter diesel engine which delivers a good amount of horsepower, and a decent amount of torque compared to its rivals. The model has dropped a few places from the first quarter of 2023, though a second-half comeback isn’t out of the question just yet. 

One car that continues to win the hearts and minds of Filipinos, the Suzuki S-Presso continues to charm at the entry level. The small hatchback features styling that has struck a chord with a good chunk of the market, and the model will pique more buyers’ interest as the updated AGS variant finally ditches the stick shift and equips the model with modern infotainment features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The S-Presso jumped more than ten places because of this. The update just happened, so many people are asking and inquiring about it. 

MPVs top out at number eight this time of the year, and the Xpander finishes the first half of 2023 in eighth place. It appears that the MPV segment has taken a bit of a back seat to crossovers, pickups, and a small hatch in recent years, but don’t be fooled because the Xpander is leading the charge once again for the segment’s popularity. Perhaps seven-seaters could mount a comeback in the latter half of the year, who knows? 

Following closely behind the Xpander is the Honda BR-V. The model has actually moved on to become one of Honda’s best-sellers in the country, overtaking the Honda City. With the recent update to the City, however, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the sedan gain a bit more traction on this list, as it ranked 34th this time around. Could the Honda sedan mount a comeback? Could it rank higher than the BR-V post-facelift? Let’s see. 

Capping off the top ten for the first half of the year is the Toyota Vios. Still the most popular sedan in the Philippines and on AutoDeal.com.ph, the Vios closes out the first half of the year with a tenth-place finish, dropping three spots from the first quarter of the year. Even as an older year model, the Vios continues to be a volume seller for the brand, and inquiries have remained relatively consistent for it, often allowing the model to finish in the top tens of our most popular car lists. 

The SUV cousin to the Navara, the Terra has one of the better interiors in the market, a stellar set of features, and also a ride that many deem to be one of the best in its class. In the first half of 2023, the Terra lands a respectable 11th-place finish, and it’s also the second most popular midsize SUV on AutoDeal going into the second half of 2023 which is consistent with its result in the first quarter of the year. 

Toyota’s value-oriented Avanza nameplate continues to receive inquiries even after reviews trickled in and after a rather solid update that gave it a new platform and styling. The Avanza is now in the best shape it's ever been, and at number 12, it places decently in the first half of 2023, maintaining its rank from the first quarter results of 2023. 

There is no stopping the Suzuki Jimny. A lot of people have been clamoring for this model ever since it was launched. The demand for the Suzuki Jimny tends to fluctuate up and down, but coming into the middle of the year, a few places jumped, and the Jimny’s iconic look is definitely a factor in its success. 

The Ertiga has moved down a few places. The mild-hybrid model is being pushed by Suzuki Philippines, and there are still a bunch of consumers willing to take the plunge with the Japanese brand’s simple hybrid system. Fewer inquiries this time around, but the model is still a permanent fixture in the lineup. Could the Ertiga do better in the second half of the year? Could MPVs make a return to popularity? These are questions we’re dying to find out. 

Up until recently, the Toyota Wigo was a mainstay in our top 40 most popular cars lists, however, the small hatchback’s popularity has been waning a bit. However, we are expecting the Wigo to break into the top ten in the latter half of the year because of a monumental update to its platform and tech features. The 2024 model is the best one yet, and we’re expecting a resurgence in this model’s popularity very soon. 

Still a staple on Philippine roads, and still holding its ground against newer entries in the market, the Toyota Hiace finished 16th in the first half of 2023. No major updates yet, but Toyota continues to sell wave after wave of these boxy vans month after month. 

The more SUV-like Xpander still makes the list, after dropping just a few spots from the rankings in the first quarter of the year. The Xpander Cross presents more features and more rugged looks compared to the standard Xpander, and it’s a great option for customers who want the best that the Japanese brand can bring to the table in the seven-seater segment. 

The Montero Sport continues to pique the interest of many car buyers in the Philippines, however, to a lesser extent than years prior. An update may be on the horizon in the coming model years, however. Even so, the Montero continues to be a household name in the Philippines, and even its pre-facelift models continue to serve families and professionals well on the road and even off of it. 

Isuzu’s D-MAX recently got an update for the 2023 model year, and that update was fielded just in time for the truck to pick up a few places on our most popular list. The D-MAX broke the top 20 with this update, but will it continue to pick up steam? 

There was once a time when the Toyota Fortuner was number one on AutoDeal, but the landscape now is vastly different compared to before. The model continues to hover around the top 20s, just like last quarter, however, with other options out in the market today, things are looking tough for the Toyota SUV. Will Toyota come up with an update soon? Perhaps, so stay tuned. 

The rest of the top 40 has a lot of hopeful nameplates looking to score top marks and honors for the next quarter of the year. Popular names continue to populate the rest of the list, and these hopeful models may just be the next car that you buy. Frankly, any one of these models can become top 20 or even top 10 material, and the ones to look out for include the Honda Brio, the Honda City, the Hyundai Staria, or even a totally-new nameplate that has yet to see this list. 

Models like the Toyota Yaris Cross are anticipated to be hot sellers in the coming months as well as the other models currently sitting in the rumor mill or set for a launch later this year. On top of that, we’re also hoping to see other cars like the GAC GS3 Emzoom, or the Empow, or the Emkoo. Aside from that, we’re looking forward to the Toyota Zenix finding its way into the lists. 

21. Kia Stonic

22. Geely Coolray

23. Toyota Veloz

24. Toyota Innova

25. Honda Brio

26. Toyota Rush

27. Mitsubishi Strada

28. Isuzu mu-X

29. Nissan NV350 Urvan

30. MG ZS

31. Isuzu Traviz

32. Toyota Corolla Cross

33. MG 5

34. Honda City

35. Mitsubishi Mirage G4

36.  Hyundai Creta

37. Mitsubishi L300

38. Nissan Kicks

39. Honda HR-V

40. Hyundai Stargazer