BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

The 2-Series naming has been used on various body styles starting from the compact rear-wheel drive coupe we all love and the front-wheel drive people movers that we don't. To make it more complexing, there's a Gran Coupe in the range but don't get your hopes up because the first-ever 2-Series Gran Coupe is basically a saloon version of the latest 1-Series Hatchback, the front-wheel drive of course.

Starting at 31,144.54 Euros plus additional costs, the 2-Series Gran Coupe is the 2-Series most speedo boys may not like but it was aimed squarely at the likes of the A-Class Sedan and the CLA-Class as well as the Audi A3 Sedan. Late for the party but this leftist Bimmer sure knows a thing or two about how to deal with its homegrown foes.

Scoping through the design, the 2-Series Gran Coupe shares nothing in common with the two-door 2-Series. From every angle, this odd-eyed curiosity looks a bit bulky compared to its rivals and the questionable kidney grille in the front adds some more unanswered questions. In other words, it looks like a commoner's car on the road rather than a well-sculpted German luxury car on a budget.

On the inside, the baby Gran Coupe is surprisingly cozy to live with while on the driver's side, the toys stuffed in the dashboard can be worth enjoyable and annoying at the same time. Sure, it's got loads of tech ranging from smartphone connectivity, gesture control that is very BMW, voice controls that are annoying, and the BMW Intelligent Personal Asssitant that is so Alexa-ish, among many others to list, but rest assured that the baby Gran Coupe is all business and all pleasure. Boot space? Let's call it moderately good for heaps of groceries or other stuff it can fit through.

Because it runs on the same front-wheel drive platform as today's 1-Series, the 2-Series Gran Coupe isn't as fun to drive as its big brothers but it feels somewhat stable in some parts of the road even on pavements smothered with dirt, ice, and water. With the DSC system off, the 2-Series Gran Coupe shows off its rather BMW-ish side which isn't bad for a front-wheel drive saloon, although rather mild and tangy like a less spicy taco sauce.

In the range-topping M235i xDrive with its 306PS turbocharged 2.0L engine mated to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox and xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive that comes with a newly made LSD, it's a different being that blends the right balance of performance and stability, although it will leave drivers bruised with its grippy character that others may find it struggling to turn because it doesn't have the torque vectoring nonsense that the cooler M cars had. Challenging but worth the shot.

The 2-Series Gran Coupe may not be the best Gran Coupe you can drive but it sure knows how to add challenge to the likes of the A3 sedan, the A-Class sedan, and the CLA-Class. Overall, it's a decent luxury car on a budget that shows how serious BMW is, even when our favorite German luxury car maker's turning left at the moment.

Photo: BMW AG

Fourth-generation Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia has reached its fourth generation and looks like this new model proves that they want to stay with us despite crossovers mercilessly slowing its sales down. With the promise of a new emotional styling, more luxurious interior, fuel-efficient powertrains, and cutting-edge technology, the all-new Octavia really means business for the typical Czech salarymen.

Starting at around 493 900 Kč, the all-new Octavia puts luxury, practicality, performance, and tech in its spotlight with the pricing that is near the salaryman's reach. You can think of it as a BMW 3-Series on a budget because, well, it's the styling that explains a lot. Even though it dons Skoda's new signature look first seen in the Scala, a hard squint on the exterior design will make you tell that it's like an Audi A4 with the TT's front lamps and the nose of a regular BMW 3-Series. It's a luxury car on a budget, you can really tell and although some would call it serious, others will have second thoughts about the new look.

On the interior, this is where the real drama begins because the new Octavia's interior, like most today's tech-savvy cars, went to the minimalist route, which is bad news for speedo boys tempting to drive one. Look around and you couldn't find buttons for the volume and aircon because it's all in this touchscreen which explains a lot. While speedo boys are lamenting over the new model's minimalist interior, the comfort around it really makes a big statement on this new car. Because it's longer than the old one, the new Octavia can hold as much as 600 litres of boot space, which is not bad in liftback guise, but if you go for its Combi and its offroad-focused Scout sibling, you can store a lot more without explanation.

In its regular form, the new Octavia offers a healthy choice of petrol, diesel, and CNG engines and for the first time, it can be offered with the powerful and efficient 1.4 TSI iV plug-in hybrid powertrain which produces up to 150kw of power and while mated to a 6-speed AT, it can go from 0-100kph in 7.7 seconds and onwards to 220kph while fuel efficiency is a combined 1.2L/100km. The Scout, meanwhile, is offered only in 2.0 diesel with a 48v mild hybrid tech while mated to a 6-speed MT or a 7-speed AT, and on the high-performance RS variants, which starts at 889,900 Kč, it can be fitted with either a 1.4 TSi iV with 1.5L/100km of fuel economy, a 2.0 TDi which is the one to avoid in today's Europe, and the ultimate serving of the lineup which is the 180kW 2.0 TSi engine mated to a 6-speed manual that can get through 0-100kph in less than seven seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

On the dynamics side, the new Octavia can be either more fun to drive as the old one or more comfortable to drive just by fiddling with different chassis options to go for including the Dynamic Chassis Control with Driving Mode Select. It's the same goes for the RS variants which puts sporty handling on its crosshairs but the Scout loves to get itself dirty because of its Rough-Road package with a special off-road function that allows this sport utility wagon to claw through dirt in a middle of a Sunday drive at Hannibal's.

In the essence of tech, the new Octavia can be loaded with numerous driver assistance systems as well as LED Matrix headlights, and so much more, giving the drivers plenty of ways to get themselves noticed on the road.

Be it for work or for play, the typical salaryman favorite from Skoda just got a new lease of life with this fourth generation model. Although it's having a hard time catching up against the crossovers from the Skoda family tree, the all-new Octavia still continues where its previous generations left off in a new and noticeable way whether you like it or not.

Photo: Skoda Auto

Hyundai Avante/Elantra CN7

The previous Avante/Elantra AD wasn't a bad medium sedan full-stop when it came out several years ago but when the facelift came, it felt a bit different compared to the competition. With that, Hyundai went back to the drawing board and regenerated the Avante into the CN7 generation, and looks like they're onto something with this new model.

2021 Hyundai Avante

Starting at 15,700,000 Korean Won, the all-new Avante is the most stunning, yet technologically-advanced Avante to date because of the new features this new model offered and it's proof that Hyundai is still committed to making saloons as everyone else in the neighborhood's got succumbed to the airwaves of Crossover FM, metaphorically speaking.

Beginning with the styling, the new CN7-spec Avante is about as radical as the current Honda Civic, one of its main rivals, because of its coupe-like styling that bears the same silhouette as the one I've mentioned earlier. It's striking at its normal form but when you spec it with some LEDs at the front and at the back, it gets even more striking. One of the many reasons why the new Avante is the best-looking budget-friendly sedan at this time of new normal.

2021 Hyundai Avante interior

2021 Hyundai Avante interior

On the interior, Hyundai's done a great job creating the new Avante's interior to make it more usable and more enjoyable for all. On a more premium variant, the new model comes with two 10.25-inch monitors, one for the speedos and the other for sat-nav purposes, as well as high-tech vents, 64-color mood lighting, and many others. While the cockpit layout's more jet-set rather than the previous model, the rear space wasn't as bad as the old one as well as the boot space, which Hyundai says that it's more spacious than today's Toyota Corolla. Touche, but don't let anyone see you squeezing a big chair you got from your mom's workplace that is about to get permanently closed for obvious reasons.

Aside from the spacing, the new Avante features lots of toys to play with such as Kakao i, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation updates on the go, heated steering wheel, heated 10-way adjustable seats, Hi-Pass System, BOSE Premium Sound System, and Hyundai CarPay, which allows you to pay for services without getting out of the car.

2021 Hyundai Avante

Under the hood, the new Avante is powered by a Smartstream 1.6L petrol engine producing 123PS of power and 15.7kg-m of torque while mated to the same IVT gearbox derived from the Kia K3. With that, combined fuel economy is 15.4km/L, which is nice but like the K3, this gearbox is too dreary to drive on the straights and it's about as enjoyable as a Japanese car mated to a CVT gearbox, which is too average but don't worry because there will be additional models heading its way.

On the handling side, thanks to its new platform, the new Avante feels so lively to move about and easier to live with. Couple that with the revised suspension setup and the results are so much you can expect from a Korean car that behaves like a good car.

In terms of safety, the new Avante offers SmartSense safety features that will make drivers heavily noticed such as FCA with Pedestrian Detection, LKA, LFA, HBA, DAW, as well as the available BCA, SCC, HDA, SEW, and PCA. Sorry, too much information.

While the performance side is a bit too Japanese because of the IVT gearbox, the new Avante is a youthful midsize sedan that not only looks good on the road, it feels good to live with.

Of course, with the midsize sedan population's decreasing to endangered levels due to the crossover phenomenon, most of them are mated with the CVT gearbox, which makes them too dreary to drive. The new Avante is one of them but while it struggles to push itself because of the IVT, it tries to stand out from the endangered midsize sedan population because of its tech, dynamics, and design, and with that, Hyundai knows how to keep this sedan alive for this new generation. The more you know.

Available colors: Polar White, Fluid Metal, Amazon Grey, Electric Shadow, Fiery Red, Phantom Black, Lava Orange, Cyber Grey, and Intense Blue.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Audi A3 (Typ 8Y)

The Audi A3 is basically a poshed-up Volkswagen Golf with all of the luxury stuff you'd expect from Audi with the price that makes it a welcoming committee to Audi. Although more expensive than the Golf it was based on, the A3 wasn't really a bad car to start with unless you had some issues with the way it behaves on the road. For the fourth-generation A3, let's find out if the new model is better than the previous model as most would want to say but because this is the A3, it must have the three A's as its name implies; ACT! ADDICT! ACTORS!

2021 Audi A3 Sportback

2021 Audi A3 Sedan

ACT! ADDICT! ACTORS! This is what the A3 really means and for the fourth-generation model, the all-new Audi A3 tries to get its act together with its pricing, design, interior, tech, performance, and safety, the ideal recipe of a modern vehicle of today. To understand more about the all-new A3, let's start with its first A: ACT!

2021 Audi A3 Sportback

2021 Audi A3 Sedan

To ACT means how will customers act when they see the fourth-generation A3 in person. With the starting price of 26,800 Euros (plus OTR) for the Sportback and 27,700 Euros (plus OTR) for the sedan, it's way over reasonably priced by "Reasonably Priced Car" standards but with such price, some people may act quickly to get their fat paychecks ready and then drive home by all means.

2021 Audi A3 Sedan interior

2021 Audi A3 Sportback interior

The second A is ADDICT! What the ADDICT in the A3 tagline means just how addicting is the new model is in terms of design and interior. Judging by the design, it borrows the look from today's Audi Q3 crossover, meaning there are some resemblances between them but unlike the Q3, the new A3's styling is very addictive to stare than its rivals from BMW and Mercedes. 

Whether if its a hatchback or a sedan, the styling really fits the ADDICT term for keeps but that's just the start because the interior is the latter part of this term. On the inside, you are greeted by its addicting tech such as the Audi virtual cockpit, the HUD, online connectivity, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, and many others.

On the back, the new A3 is surprisingly more spacious than the previous A3 in terms of rear passenger space and boot space and that's good news for those who are planning to use it for whatever means necessary; be it for family use, for road trips with pals, deliveries, or TNVS purposes although the latter one is not worth it because this is an Audi and it's too obvious for someone using this as a TNVS car.

2021 Audi A3 Sportback

2021 Audi A3 Sedan

And now we get to the third and final A of the A3 mantra; ACTORS! If by ACTORS, they really mean just how much of an ACTOR the A3 is. Under the hood, the new A3 is offered with a choice of 1.5 TFSi and 2.0 TDi engine at launch, although the latter choice is the one to avoid like most Europeans of today should. Anyway, the 1.5L TFSi engine features a cylinder shutoff system which automatically shuts off the second and third cylinders while driving in an efficient manner. Apart from that, it comes with a 12-volt electrical system for mHEV capability that results to 5.5L/100km of combined WLTP fuel economy. Nice job, Audi.

Both of these engines are mated to either a brand-new 6-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, which most say it drives quicker than the manual, but anyway, while continuing on the ACTORS story, let's get to know more about its dynamics and being front-wheel drive only at launch, it feels very civilized on the road but in the middle of a Sunday drive, the lowered suspension setups, Audi drive select and ESC, the modular dynamic handling control, and many other updates to its dynamics really means big business. Sporty as it means but it feels like its a snuggle with a struggle if you try to poke it hard at the bends. To put it in broad context, it behaves just like today's Mercedes A-Class and the now-FF BMW 1-Series but who cares.

As for safety, the new Audi features a wide range of Driver Assist Systems with the optional assist package for a more safer experience, which is too dubious for some who might think it can outsmart its driver with its AI inside. Scary but this is the ACTOR's way.

The fourth-generation A3 has all the three As it implies; a price to act for, addicting features, and the performance of the ideal actor. ACT! ADDICT! ACTORS! Now that's the A3 everybody's talking about and looks like Audi's on the roll with this one, well sort of. Anyway, let's wish the new A3 the best of luck on the road!

Photo: Audi AG

Mercedes-AMG A45 (177) and CLA45 (118)

Mercedes-AMG perfected the hot hatch game with their previous A45 hot hatch years ago with its 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that made it the most powerful four-cylinder engine in the world. Now, as the new generation A-Class flourished, the A45 made a grand comeback to level up the hot hatch ante. Happily though, the ultimate hot hatch's not alone though as it's joined by the junior four-door coupe in the AMG 45 range, the CLA45. These two are ready to impress the world once again with its more powerful turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and addicting dynamics that will make them fall in love.

2020 Mercedes-AMG A45

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA45

The Mercedes-AMG A45, starting at 56,228 Euros plus OTR, and the CLA45, starting at 60,095 Euros plus OTR, are back for their latest generation, promising to be the most enjoyable high-performance compacts drivers will fall in love with if they are fully prepare to pay a hefty price for such enjoyment these two will deliver.

On the design department, the signature AMG grille donned in range-toppers really put a massive grin on their faces as well as other exterior improvements in store for them and and although hideous to look at, these AMG models surely know business and pleasure even on the inside, where the sports seats really mean business to the drivers.

As full-blown AMG models, the A45 and CLA 45 are armed with the brand new M139 2.0L Twin-Scroll Turbo 4-cylinder engine which, in the range topping S variants, produces 421PS of power and 500Nm of torque and when mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8G, it goes from 0-100kph in less than four seconds and a top speed of 270kph. This is the most powerful 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the world and you should credit Mercedes-AMG for all the hard work pouring into this powerhouse, although unhappy with the muted noise drivers noticed when they get their foot down.

Yes, the muted noise is a bit of a letdown to many but on the dynamics side, this is where the new A45 and CLA45 truly shine the most because they both come with the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with AMG Torque Control in the new rear axle differential, which makes them livelier to drive than the previous models. Couple that with the Drift Mode setting and the result is a mind-blowing experience that will make them fall in love with either of these two. In fact, every gearhead in the world's getting jealous over the new A45/CLA45's greatness. When taken on the track, these models really are the class reps, and on the road, with most of their comfortable settings in place, they are an absolute standout from the crowd.

This is by no means one of the best high-performance compacts the folks from Mercedes-AMG ever made and despite its silent treatment which bothers most drivers while letting the hammer down, the dynamics the A45/CLA45 possess are relatively superior, even in the most enjoyable settings yet. With performance like this, perhaps this is the main reason why we can't have the nicest things. In fact, we're getting jealous to have one of those one day. Come on, world. We're ready.

Photo: Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan vs. 2nd Gen. CLA

The advent of the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the ideal opportunity for them to spawn its first-ever sedan variant but hold on a minute, didn't they have their four-door equivalent, the CLA-Class? Yes, the CLA-Class, now on its second generation, is classified as a four-door coupe, a niche made by themselves, but in reality, it's basically a four-door saloon full stop. So, with the first-ever A-Class sedan and the second-generation CLA in the fray, they're like the left and right Twix bars, so what's the difference?

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

For starters, the A-Class Sedan, priced at 28,727 Euros plus tax and delivery, and the second-generation CLA-Class, priced at 31,476 Euros plus tax and delivery, are really like the left Twix and the right Twix because while they have the same sweet taste, the two sides are different by their opinions and that concerns customers who are itching to buy a Mercedes-Benz sedan but not having enough budget to buy a C-Class.

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Of course, the pricing between them set them apart because the first-ever A-Class Sedan is basically cheaper to own than the CLA but by probing the style department, that is a different story because the new CLA is almost better looking than the A-Class Sedan because of its front face and sloping roofline but the backstory is rather the opposite of course because while the new CLA's rear design spoils the already good looks, the A-Class Sedan's rear is rather conservative indeed and you'll spend minutes staring at its back because that really is a Mercedes with a bold statement for the city slickers.

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan interior

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class interior

On the inside job, the A-Class Sedan and the new CLA are in a stalemate because while their dashboards look different, their gadgets still work like it was meant to be and creature comforts are almost identical because of its almost identical legroom, which is nice indeed for businesspeople who had a "vice" on their title to get accommodated with, and the almost identical boot space big enough for a golf cart on a trip to a country club at Quezon. They even come with the rather brilliant but annoying MBUX multimedia system with voice commands that works well with drivers living in an era where they can talk to the likes of Alexa and Siri but if you were a passenger sitting on the sweet spot, you may find that you might get annoyed upon hearing Mom and Dad toying around with the "Hey, Mercedes" thingamajig and that will drive you a bit mad.

2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan

2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Back at the Twix story, it seems that the Mercedes equivalents of the left Twix and the right Twix are offered with a choice of a M282 four-cylinder petrol engine with cylinder shutoff, M260 petrol engine with variable valve timing system, Euro 6d-certified OM 654q diesel engine, and the entry-level OM 608 diesel engine, the one to avoid for diesel-sceptic Europeans.

2019 Mercedes-AMG A35 Sedan

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA35

Of course, if they want performance, there are AMG 35 4MATIC versions as well, both are powered by a 306PS 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, capable of going 0-100kph in less than five seconds and top speed limited to 250kph. Although no torque vectoring in sight, they're still decent to enjoy driving them but anyway no time for that, let's get back to their normal versions and although different at looks, their dynamics are fairly similar. They handle well, they cruise well, they're both refined, quiet, subtle, and overall, both the new A-Class Sedan and the second-generation CLA are nothing short in comparison, as are the list of highly-advanced safety systems worth noticing.

Like the left and the right Twix, the A-Class Sedan and the new CLA-Class are worth trying and deciding for themselves. Of course, the A-Class Sedan is cheaper to own than the new CLA-Class but the pricing can be a bit more complicating than that because while they look different in every single way, they both accommodate occupants rather well, they both drive well, and they're both technologically advanced but annoying to some at their sweet spot. As the saying goes, try both and you decide.

Photo: Daimler AG

3rd Gen Kia K5

Kia's executive midsize saloon, the K5, has been on the block for almost a decade with two generations on the beat and for this third generation, the all-new K5 tries to survive the genre critically endangered by the crossovers that are selling like superheroes. Although not as super as it looks and feels, the all-new K5 prepares for a risky gamble with futuristic looks, interior, performance, and tech.

2020 Kia K5

Starting at 23,510,000 Korean Won (about US$20,200) MSRP, the third-generation Kia K5 is the Korean automaker's make-it-or-break attempt to restore the saloon genre by all means necessary with its new design, performance, and technology that will surely be the trending topic in the motoring public, whatever that means.

First and foremost, the styling, and while it claims to be the most futuristic-styled sedan to date, it's worth puzzling to observe, judging by its weird-looking headlamps that is not as weird as the Hyundai DN8 Sonata months ago where the DRLs stretched towards the body lines. On the back of it, it bears close resemblance from its big brother, the recently facelifted K7 Premier, and on the side, the Stinger-like curves are very streamlined indeed.

2020 Kia K5 interior

The inside is where the new K5 earns it because of the right blend of technology and comfort way beyond its premium status. The sat-nav, for instance, feels like it came from BMW. Then, there's rotary dial selector instead of a gear lever like you get in a Jaguar. And, finally, tons of luxury gimmicks such as the ambient light system, 8-inch HUD, 12-speaker BOSE sound system, voice commands, and the digital key feature where users can use a smartphone in place of a carkey to open a car. Very high-tech indeed and because it feels almost like a luxury car, it's not a bad car to get cozy with. Boot space's above average either.

2020 Kia K5 Hybrid

In addition to the 2.0L CVVL petrol engine, the new K5 is powered by a brand new Smartstream 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 180PS of power and 27kgf-m of torque with fuel economy expected at 13.8km/L combined. The former is mated with a 6-speed AT while the latter is mated to an 8-speed AT. Interesting.

For those who are looking for some added range should go for the Hybrid variant with up to 20.1km/L of fuel economy combined, courtesy of its hybrid powertrain which consists of a 2.0L petrol engine, electric motor, and Li-ion battery, not to mention the 6-speed automatic gearbox mated to it.

To keep its sporty and luxury status, which is almost interesting for a Korean-made sedan like this, the new K5 features ventilated disc brakes, MacPherson Struts, and rear Multilink suspension, keeping the car's momentum in bay for the sake of refinement.

2020 Kia K5

As most cars going all in for technology, the third-generation Kia K5 comes with the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as well as Rear View Monitor with Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, and a new Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allows users to use the car key to remotely get the car in and out of the parking space. Sounds very secret agent-ish but flattering.

So, what's the word on the third-generation K5? Although the styling is west of weird, the value for money, the interior, the tech, and the performance really ticks the boxes rather well and although the new K5 lacks the charisma of the first one from the year 2010, which got everyone's attention in the beginning, it is worth a shot in the critically endangered sedan genre and looks like the new model is onto something for the whole world to see.

Photo: Kia Motors

MAZDA6 (GJ) and MAZDA2 (DJ)

The Mazda Atenza and the Mazda Demio are now discontinued and replaced by the new MAZDA6 and the new MAZDA2, marking them the first time adopting international names since the latest-generation MAZDA3. While they look the same as the Atenza and the Demio models they've replaced, these two new models will find some slight changes around here.

2020 Mazda 6

2020 Mazda 6

Starting with the MAZDA6 and with prices starting below the three million yen mark, it comes with two different body styles; a 4-door sedan and a 5-door station wagon. At first glance, the MAZDA6 looks a lot like last year's Atenza minor change and even after being renamed, the design is distinctively Mazda and because last year's Atenza minor change is the best-looking Atenza ever, perhaps the rename never harmed the looks at all.

2020 Mazda 6 interior

The same story goes for the interior and like last year's Atenza minor change, the MAZDA6 features a wooden trim on the dashboard, the Active Driving Display on the windscreen, and others. Although being driver-focused, it still feels like a luxury car, which is not bad for a reasonably-priced midsize saloon of this caliber, and in the case of the wagon, it's surprisingly spacious at the back.

2020 Mazda 6

While the MAZDA6 retains the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and 2.5L petrol engines and the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L diesel engine from last year's Atenza minor change, the biggest addition to the MAZDA6 is the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo System. First applied on the CX-5 and the CX-8 crossovers, this turbocharged engine produces 230PS of power, 420Nm of torque, and 12.4km/L of fuel economy in the WLTP scale. Like before, petrol engines are mated exclusively with a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6AT while the diesel engine is mated with either this or the 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT.

With G-Vectoring Control and i-ACTIV AWD at hand, in addition to Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety systems, not only does the MAZDA6 feel good to drive full stop but it's reliable and safer to drive on the journey home from another day at the office. 

2020 Mazda 2

Next up, the MAZDA2, and it's now slightly better looking than the Demio it was replaced with a new front face, new wheel designs, and a revised rear design. With prices starting at the 1.6 million yen mark, it's still a smart buy for a hatchback that feels like a world-class hatchback rather than being Japanesey.

2020 Mazda 2 interior

Apart from the revised exterior, the interior's slightly revised to make it more usable for the customers and while it still works pretty much like the Demio it replaces, it's still decently comfortable and spacious for a hatchback of that size.

2020 Mazda 2

The MAZDA2 is offered with a choice of a SKYACTIV-G 1.5L petrol engine and a 1.5L SKYACTIV-D diesel turbo engine, both are revised to meet WLTP standards and can be mated with a choice of a SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6AT or a SKYACTIV-MT 6MT respectively. The petrol one promises up to 19.8km/L of combined fuel economy on the WLTP scale, while the diesel one promises up to 25.2km/L of combined fuel economy on the WLTP scale. 

Apart from the engine choices, the MAZDA2 comes with a G-Vectoring Control as well as the available i-ACTIV AWD, giving owners plenty of reasons why the MAZDA2 is one of the best compact hatchbacks to own today because of its driving character that is unmistakably Mazda, and lastly, the i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety features that will give them a peace of mind while driving.

Even with a name change, both the MAZDA6 and the MAZDA2 still have a lot of work to do that their predecessors left for them, which is promising customers the Mazda way.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

12th Generation Toyota Corolla range

The Auris-replacing Corolla Sport from last year truly is a prologue for what is known to be the 12th generation of a globally ubiquitous household name in the motoring world, the Toyota Corolla. Now larger than the previous model's Axio and Fielder it replaces, the new and larger Corolla range; in sedan and Touring wagon, promises to be the most advanced Corolla ever with its TNGA platform, fuel-efficient engines, and cutting-edge technology that will keep them prepared in this ever-changing world where SUVs are treated like superhero movies in terms of sales.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring

Although they're now bigger than the Axio and Fielder models they've replaced, the new Corolla sedan and Corolla Touring Wagon are still sized just right to accommodate just about every corner of the planet and with prices slotted at the two million yen mark, they're still reasonably priced as the other fellows, be it the Honda Civic or the Subaru Impreza perhaps.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring

Like last year's Corolla Sport hatchback, the new models' aggressive styling really means intimidation from such an innocent-looking city-class midsize vehicle the rearview tells a different story because the sedan has a more dramatic rear view compared to the Touring wagon, which still has the Astra-like rear lamps of course.

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring interior

2020 Toyota Corolla interior

Although the new interior is almost as similar to last year's Corolla Sport hatchback, the new Corolla range is designed with commoners in mind, and thanks to dimension changes compared to its predecessors, this spells a lot of room for Mom and Dad at the front and you at the back, knowing that you will still have that sweet spot for you to get in and out of. In the case of the Touring wagon, it has a spacious rear room fit enough for stuff you've nabbed from the rummage sale of course.

2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla Touring

Thanks to its TNGA-C platform, the new Corolla is now better handling and fuel-efficient than before. Having demonstrated from the Sport hatchback last year, the sedan and Touring wagon variants do come with the front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension, Active Cornering Assist, and Adaptive Variable Suspension. While they don't behave like their European competition, the new Corolla gives them more time to enjoy their driving pleasure at work or at play, especially on the weekends. Yes, exactly.

Under the hood, the Corolla is offered with a wide range of engines such as the 2ZR-FAE 1.8L petrol engine mated to a Super CVT-i with seven simulated gears, and a 1.2L 8NR-FTS turbocharged engine mated to either a 10-speed Super CVT-i or a more joyful 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission that works in tandem with different drive modes. Speedo boys might be tempted to get the turbo variant with the 6-speed MT but who cares?

Oh, I forgot to mention the hybrid variants that come with the 2ZR-FXE 1.8L petrol engine connected to an electric motor and the nickel-metal hydride battery Toyota still uses as of now. Fuel efficiency is a combined 29kmpl in the WLTP scale for front-wheel-drive variants.

Promising to be the most high-tech Corolla to date, the new models come with the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense with new active-safety technologies and capabilities that enhance protection. These features are Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed DRCC, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beam, and Lane Tracing Assist, among many others.

So, what can I say about the new Corolla? Well, in an era where SUVs are treated like superhero movies in terms of sales, the new Corolla range still has an uphill battle to win back the masses and with its TNGA platform, fuel-efficient engines, and cutting-edge technology, the new models will try to show the world that the Corolla is still the king of the world, although it's no longer one because of today's motoring climate, see if we care.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation