Second-Generation Mazda CX-5

Since 2012, the Mazda CX-5 changed the midsize crossover market forever with its groundbreaking performance and efficiency that makes it a clear win for customers worldwide. Through the years, Mazda couldn't manage to perfect the already perfect attributes of the CX-5 crossover especially when it gave numerous updates to see how propagating this crossover is but now, just before this crossover reaches its fifth year in 2017, Mazda finally done it and introduced the second-generation Mazda CX-5 at a crowd in Los Angeles and it's destined to hit stores in Japan this February.

2017 Mazda CX-5

2017 Mazda CX-5 interior

The all-new Mazda CX-5, by the looks of it, looks pretty much the same as the outgoing model, as well as the choice of engines, but what's underneath it is worth of a change of heart for Mazda's strong-selling crossover. Although the design looks pretty much the same, it's now wider than the outgoing model, and the new Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint for this new model really adds some vivid look to the new model.

Step inside the new CX-5 and you are greeted by Mazda's now trademark interior look commonly seen in most models like the Axela, Demio, CX-3, and the Roadster. While the signature Mazda design interior is mainly driver focused, there are brand new stuff you can check on its inside such as the brand new Active Driving Display on the windscreen. Once more, the dashboard is all talk and no show, and while basically a five-seater, it's now slightly spacious than the outgoing model by about two liters. All the more reasons why someone would want to save some cash on the crossover with a driver focused interior and practicality fit enough for work and weekend nightlife with mates.

2017 Mazda CX-5

While this is new, the engine choices remained the same, meaning you still have a choice of either a 2.2L SKYACTIV-D, 2.0L SKYACTIV-G, and the more powerful 2.5L SKYACTIV-G with 184PS of power output, all mated to a 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic gearbox and that's it. No questions and further explanations asked, although fuel efficiency by JC08 Mode standards can be ranged from 14.6 to 18km/L, depending on the variant.

Now, what's new on the CX-5 is i-ACTIV AWD and G-VECTORING CONTROL, features that remained unknown to those who haven't taste it on the road. The i-ACTIV AWD system adapts control of the driving force distribution between the front and rear wheels while the new G-VECTORING CONTROL  varies engine torque in response to steering inputs, subtly controlling lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces, which works like a traction control but it modulates the throttle to optimise vertical control on each wheel. The updated Mazda models had that kind of stuff, well except for the Roadster per se, and this CX-5 really knows how to take it very easy and very seriously for the driver who understands its hidden potential.

2017 Mazda CX-5

To keep it civilized on the city streets, the new Mazda CX-5 is offered with Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE suite of safety systems such as Smart Brake Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart City Brake Support, Hi-Beam Control System, Lane Departure Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring. With these features, you'll be sure that you're in safe hands unless you got some explaining to the insurers about how safe is your driving record. Worse, you could getting too much of those safe driving bonus checks from the insurers because of the car's safety tech armed on the new CX-5. How are you going to explain that?

Prices for the new CX-5 starts at 2,462,400 Japanese Yen for the 2.0L petrol variant while the 2.0L clean diesel variant starts at 2,775,600 Japanese Yen. Of course, while the clean diesel promises to be the fuel-efficient variant for this new model, recent woes over diesel engines would add worry to those who are willing to buy this because there could be the sudden case of cheating its fuel efficiency just like what any Volkswagen did in its time before it was uncovered to the public. Still, while the inevitable is imminent, let's take time to assume that the new CX-5 is an overall improvement to the last model, although the looks and the performance are stale if I'm honest. With all the tech and the G-Vectoring Control explored, there's one major reason why the CX-5 is a great crossover in this category and because...it's a Mazda and this is what makes you "be a driver."

Available colors: Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Premium Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Eternal Blue Mica, and Snowflake White Pearl Mica.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (December 19, 2016)

- Following China's seizure of a United States oceanographic drone at the South China Sea, a Kabayan representative said both countries didn't act in ways that respect the rights of the Philippines following this incident. Harry Roque noted that it was within the Philippines's exclusive economic zone, 50 nautical miles off Subic Bay.

- Meanwhile, China can return the drone back to the US but President-elect Donald Trump wants them to keep it.

- Once the death penalty is revived, President Rodrigo Duterte wants to executive five or six death row convicts daily.

- Contrary to popular belief, a Catholic bishop says that completing nine days of simbang gabi won't grant anyone wishes.

- Demonstrators from across the USA held peaceful vigils to urge electors to reject Donald Trump. Unite for America held a bi-partisan rally on the capitol steps to ask the Electoral College not to vote for Donald Trump.

- Evacuations have resumed of people trapped in the war-torn city of Aleppo in northern Syria. Last week, Syrian government forces regained control of almost all of Aleppo, the rebel forces' biggest stronghold. This represents a major advance for the government forces after almost five years of fighting.

- The Islamic State militants claimed responsibility from the suicide attack near a military camp in Yemen on Sunday in the southern city of Aden, killing at least 49 people and 60 are hurt. The bombing occurred as soldiers were lining up to collect their salaries near the camp for government forces.

- Toyota showcased their next-generation taxi for the Japanese motoring public and it will be powered by a 1.5-litre LPG hybrid powertrain. It will be set to be launched this 2017.

Toyota's next JPN TAXI 

- Chevrolet teases their next-generation Traverse crossover before its unveiling at next month's North American International Auto Show.

Teaser for the next Chevrolet Traverse

TTFN!!!

Forza Horizon 3: Living like The Rock

See this hunk of metal I got from this weekend's Forzathon challenge? That's the Terradyne Gurkha LAPV and you are probably familiar with this behemoth as the one Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson drove on Fast Five. Yep. The wrestler turned action star played federal agent Luke Hobbs. The muscle who tries to gun down Dom and his crew on Fast Five, then later assists the gang on Fast & Furious 6 and Furious 7, and now a fierce rival who will stop at nothing to bring down the betrayed Dom on next year's The Fate of the Furious.

However, the Gurkha seen here isn't the same as the one Hobbs drove in Fast Five. This is the normal Terradyne Gurkha LAPV. Made by the Ontario-based armored vehicle company, the Gurkha is a tactical vehicle based on the Ford F-350 pickup truck. Apart from the LAPV shown here, there are other Gurkhas offered in the lineup such as the MPV for military purposes and a civilian-spec RPV pickup.

The LAPV is powered by a 6.7L V8 turbodiesel engine from Ford, which produces 300HP of power and 660lb-ft of torque, while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Because it weighs 15,000 to 19,000 pounds, the top speed is limited to 110kph. Not that quick by modern standards but because it's made to get through the roughest terrains like most military vehicles do, the Gurkha can get through points A to B with just a minor scratch but in one piece without worrying about the personnel onboard. Because it uses CEN B7/STANAG 2 armoring on the bodywork, even shrapnels of bombs can't hurt the Gurkha on the move. Now that's intimidating for a Canadian-made military vehicle based on a Ford F-350.

Driving one of these will make anyone think you're Dwayne Johnson except you're not The Rock. You're just the genius confabulator ready for some script rewrites to make actors a lot more miserable. If I were a genius confabulator, I would do a script rewrite to make use of The Rock's favorite beast from Fast Five, and that mean't I should take the Gurkha to...Blizzard Mountain!



The freezing temperatures, the severe blizzard warning, that's perfect to test out the Gurkha's toughness, even though its armored bodywork can sustain against the harshest elements that climate change can throw at it. Now, I want to see if the Gurkha lives up to The Rock's role. Otherwise, it would be just another one of The Rock's roles that doesn't look tough like...um...who was that again? Oh well...



On the scale of which The Rock role am I, feels like I'm not on the same level as Hobbs from the Fast & Furious series but rather...hmmm...nope, not The Scorpion King because I'm driving on ice. Perhaps, I feel like the hero from a disaster flick San Andreas! Nope, no. This isn't California. Sorry. Still, driving the Gurkha gives you an impression that you're living like The Rock in so many ways and no matter where you're taking this hunk of metal on it, it feels like it's another day for The Rock as he gets off from his luxury home and into the movie set to do some action star stuff. This car, like the actor, always have The Game Plan, which I should have said it in the first place.

Bubble Gang - December 16, 2016 #BGPaskoNa

On the December 16, 2016 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Santa's helpers gags

- A diagnosis with a man with an inner macho dancer problem.

- A protest over a supervillain's burial at a superheroes' cemetery.

- The mannequin challenge at home.

- The sipoleras are still meddling with approaching men.

- Mas Pinabonggang Sumbong Sumbong kay Bonggang Bongbong takes on people posting a change of month, gays taking selfies with actresses, and people demanding more likes, comments, and shares on their posts.

- Today's Patikim ni Kim recipe is Ginisang Pechay with Tokwa.

 - Basa-basa-pik! 

The baptism of AlDub babies and a farewell to Kalyeserye

Photo: Official Eat Bulaga Facebook page

Last week, Alden and Maine gave birth to the twins named Charmaine Nidora and Richard Nidoro. Now, after a few days (or months in Kalyeserye standards) later, the AlDub babies finally getting the baptismal the Richards deserved. Baptismal aside, looks like this could be the end as the lolas and the Richards are going through separate ways.

The main reason why they'll be going through separate ways is because as while the Richards are taking their babies to Russia to go see Lola Babah, the lolas are going to America once again to make amends with their relatives. So, after everything they did on the baptismal, here it is (again). That's how Kalyeserye ended.

It's like a few months ago, just. But still, the baptism of Charmaine Nidora and Richard Nidoro, the AlDub babies, is their way of saying goodbye to Kalyeserye. Thank you for the great moments in Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye segment. We hope they will come back one day for their antics again.

Rogue One (A Star Wars Story)

Well, that was quite a feast. Star Wars fans like you and I are still reeling from the hangovers we felt from last year's Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, and while we are waiting for the next film, there's a spinoff prequel film that bridges between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, giving fans many reason why they're longing with the Force.

Rogue One

Rogue One is the first of the Star Wars Anthology films uncovering everything we need to know about the Star Wars saga in a whole new point of view. Because this film is set between Episode III and IV, Rogue One is more of a hidden truth behind the legendary war between the Empire and the Rebellion, which became familiar to Star Wars fans many. Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jiang Wen, and Forest Whitaker. this stellar all-star cast gives a fresh flavor on the hidden truth behind the rebellion as we know it. In here, a ragtag group of rebels joined forces on their mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction. But it won't be an easy task for our rebels because to uncover the plans to the Death Star, sacrifices are necessary to change the outcome of the battle.

Although not as great as last year's Star Wars film, Rogue One is an inspirational tale of ordinary people becoming part of an extraordinary experience, and no matter how risky the challenge will be, they will be known as the unsung heroes who witnessed the great change in history. Once you finished watching this film, you will know that you're going to be a changed person and you're going to do some great things like the one you saw from the film because from every point of view, Rogue One, despite being a spinoff film, is legendary in its own right and this film will carve its history to the Star Wars franchise for future generations to come and because Rogue One sets the template for all future Star Wars spinoff, fans will get more from one of the greats.

This film will take the spotlight as one of the best films this Christmas season and how long it will be named one of the best films of 2016 is up to the viewers' perspective after seeing the whole film because if it takes the centerstage, it's a definitive point that it's going to be one of the best films in the franchise ever and who to blame?

My rating: 4.4 out of 5.

Yokai Watch Soratobu Kujira to Double Sekai no Daibouken da Nyan!

For the first time in Yokai Watch history, the third film based on the hit TV series sees a mix of anime and live action elements, giving viewers a more intriguing but enjoyable feast for the holiday season while introducing new Yokais on the film. This third film will be the biggest for Keita Amano (Nate Adams), Whisper, Jibanyan, and the rest!

Yokai Watch
Soratobu Kujira to Double Sekai no
Daibouken da Nyan!

So, what's going to be on the third Yokai Watch movie? Well, a mysterious giant whale-like Yokai has emerged from the shadows following series of unexplained events spiraling through the peaceful Sakura New Town (Springdale). With the new Yokai Koalanyan emerged, things get even ugly for Keita (Nate) and the gang and they'll have to team up to save the world before it gets worse.

The live action parts of this latest Yokai Watch film stars Ryouka Minamide as Keita (Nate), Kento Yamazaki as King Enma, Takumi Saito as Nurarihyon, Minami Hamabe as Kanami Minami, Yuina Kuroshima as Emi-chan (Amy), Yuu Sawabe as Kuma (Bear), Kenichi Endo as Jinmenken (Manjimutt) and many others. Almost all of your favorite human characters got live-actionized while your favorite Yokais get CGI animated, giving a more lively appearance for Whisper, Jibanyan, Komasan, Komajirou, USApyon, and your favorite Yokais, especially the brand new Yokai Koalanyan, who can be playable on the new Yokai Watch 3 games, currently on sale for the Nintendo 3DS. A live-action/anime hybrid film. Sounds common but flattering for a long-time Yokai Watch fan.

Because this is labeled as a family film, this latest Yokai Watch film is supposed to be a family friendly movie because it has all the regular Yokai Watch stuff as expected from the anime but when the live-action parts kicked in, the crowd's better start talking because in case of King Enma and Nurarihyon appeared in those live-action segments, it's no longer a family film at all. It's becoming a chick flick because teenage girls and YA women, due to their tendency over good looking men, got their main reason why they love this latest Yokai Watch film not because of the whole of it but because of the men who played King Enma and Nurarihyon in the live-action parts of the film. If you are under ten and if you bring your big teenage sister along on a movie trip, chances are your sister's ruining your Yokai Watch movie-viewing pleasure. Sigh.

If you didn't care about the live-action parts of the film, this film is beyond regular compared to the previous two films based on the hit franchise. It maybe odd, it maybe shabby, it maybe dirty on the jokes, but for a family-friendly anime film fit for the Christmas season, it's not really half-bad as long as no young women and teenage girls ruining the film because of the EnmaNura appearances. Otherwise, heaven forbid, they should get a taste of Jibanyan's Paws of Fury after this. At least it's not as pathetic as a single Manjimutt at both sides. Pun intended.

My rating: 3.4 out of 5

The Grand Tour - Episode 5

The Grand Tour Episode 5

So, roadsters are now the main topic for the fifth episode of Amazon's original car show, The Grand Tour, and in this episode, the comparison between the Mazda Roadster ND, driven by Hammond, and the Zenos E10, driven by May, had gotten from bad to worse with the late arrival of Jeremy Clarkson in the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider.

On their Moroccan road trip with their open-top roadsters, the argument has gone from bad to worse to better. From their weighing issue gone belly-up to the discovery of a shooting location used in most films and shows where they can let loose with their roadsters without causing much trouble at the set, well almost.

During the episode, Hammond and May are giving a twist on the classic board game Battleship, using nothing but bangers and G-Wizes to be used as vessels and missiles, just like in the Battleship game. Then, Dutch rock band Golden Earring became the latest celebrity casualty to succumb from the Celebrity Braincrash segment, and then a V8 inflator was demonstrated while trying to inflate a sex toy. Yes, you get that idea.

Let's Do The News! (December 16, 2016)

- The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the immediate release of convicted road rage killer Rolito Go. Go, a construction magnate, was convicted for killing De La Salle University graduate Eldon Maguan in a much publicized road rage incident 25 years ago. The third division of the high court affirmed the decisions of the Court of Appeals and the Regional Trial Court for the release of Go. Ordering the Bureau of Corrections to release Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco agreed Go's sentence has been shortened from 2022 to 2013 due to good conduct.

- According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., the United Nations Special Rapporteur must demand an apology to the Philippines over harsh reports on extrajudicial killings. Yasay said that Agnes Callamard had jumped into conclusions about the extrajudicial killing cases in the Philippines. Yasay added that Callamard's statement has been on of the basis of the United States on refocusing its assistance to the Philippines.

- With reports told that most of China's artificial islands in the South China Sea are ow weaponized, the Chinese government stressed that it is within its sovereignty to build facilities in the area. Ignoring the words of the arbitral tribunal's ruling favoring the Philippines

 claims, the Chinese Foreign Ministry repeated that Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea are China's inherent territories.

- Germany has deported 34 Afghan asylum-seekers following the European country's strict rules on accepting refugees to ease public concern about security. A flight chartered by the German government landed in the Afghan capital Kabul, carrying deportees who had failed to meet requirements for a refugee status.

- A senior White House official has suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was personally involved in the alleged hacking of US Democratic Party servers in the lead-up to the US presidential election. The US Government announced in October that the Russian government was responsible for a cyber-attack in June that led to leaks of party officials' e-mails, accusing them of trying to influence the outcome of the presidential election.

- Syrian rebels have begun withdrawing from the northern city of Aleppo. The evacuation agreement with Russia was reached after President Bashar al-Assad's forces regained control of most of the city.

- Startup luxury electric car company Lucid Motors showcased the Air Concept, a luxury electric saloon that promises 400 miles of electric range. It previews their maiden model of the company, due in 2018.

Lucid Air Concept

- Up-and-coming electric car company Faraday Future got sued for ten million dollars over late payments to supplier.

- The Kia Niro hybrid crossover sets an arbitrary Guinness World Record for fuel mileage with 76.6 miles per gallon.

TTFN!!!

Yokai Watch 3 Sukiyaki

When the Yokai Watch 3 games, Sushi and Tempura, went on sale for the Nintendo 3DS a few months ago along with the new set of medals to further enhance their gaming pleasure, fans of Level 5's hit monster game continue their search for more troublemaking Yokais in an all new adventure and throughout the course of the game, fans even managed to add new Yokais to their entourage, including new favorites like K. Koma, K. Jirou, Tomnyan, and others. Now, a new and definitive third version, titled Yokai Watch 3 Sukiyaki, turns the latest installment up to eleven, leading it now to the upcoming third Yokai Watch film hitting theaters this Saturday.

Yokai Watch 3 Sukiyaki

Same gameplay as seen from the Sushi and Tempura games but Sukiyaki offers new and exciting features never before seen on the first two versions, delivering a definitive Yokai Watch 3 experience like no other, well the storyline is the same as the first two as Yokai Watch 3 centers on Keita (Nate) and Jibanyan going to America while Inaho and USApyon are staying in Japan in search for more troublemaking Yokais they can encounter. Two worlds, new Yokais, new adventures, what could possibly go wrong?!

Anyway, those who played either Sushi or Tempura know what this is but Sukiyaki has tons of new features. One of the new features is the new Yokai Busters T mode, where four players can team up and fight their way through different dungeon layouts in search for treasure while battling through tons of enemies, including powerful guardians that requires some cooperative strategy. Is your Yokai up enough for this new challenge? This new mode is standard on the Sukiyaki version but Sushi and Tempura users can get this new mode via DLC.

Exclusive on the Sukiyaki version is a brand new storyline inspired from the upcoming "Yokai Watch Soratobu Kujira to Double Sekai no Daibouken da Nyan!" movie. Watch how Koalanyan, one of the stars of the latest Yokai Watch film, switch dimensions and you will see the difference between animated Keita (Nate) and Jibanyan and their other dimensional selves, just like in the movie, while taking on a mysterious whale-like Yokai interfering their dimensions. There are new Yokais exclusive on the Sukiyaki version while promising over 600 Yokais to meet and join in your entourage, and a special Sukiyaki-exclusive quest with a special appearance by Fumi-chan (Katie)!

Download or physical, whichever you bought this game, you will receive one of two special Yokais for use in-game or with the Yokai Watch Dream toy. Those who bought it physical will get a ultra-powerful Kakusei Enma medal while those who bought it via download will add a special USAtofu in-game.

Believe it or not, you can carry over your Sushi or Tempura progress on the new Sukiyaki version of Yokai Watch 3 game but if you have a save data from the Yokai Sangokushi spin-off game, you will get special versions of Jibanyan, Whisper, Komasan, Komajirou, Fuyunyan (Hovernyan) and USApyon based from that spin-off game to the Sukiyaki game. Put these special Yokais to good use! You'll gonna need them (and their corny jokes, too).

So, welcome everyone to the most definitive version of your Yokai Watch 3 experience. With all the same stuff from the Sushi/Tempura versions while adding some Sukiyaki-exclusive content and the new Yokai Busters T mode for four-player fun, what could possibly go wrong?

Let's Do The News! (December 15, 2016)

- According to the Department of Tourism secretary Wanda Corazon Teo wants direct flights from Manila, Philippines to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. There are flights to Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia known for the Angkor Wat temple complex, from the Philippines but none to and from the Cambodian capital. In a press briefing in Cambodia, plans for direct flights will bring tourist arrivals of Cambodian people to the Philippines.

- Satellite imagery shows that China appears to have constructed point-defense capabilities at each of its outposts in seven of the Manila-claimed islands of the Spratlys in the South China Sea. A Washington-based think tank reported that China has built large AA guns and CIWS in the Spratlys.

- President Rodrigo Duterte is ranked 70th in the 74 Most Powerful People according to Forbes Magazine. The top spot remains to Russia's Vladimir Putin while second placer goes to US President-Elect and business tycoon Donald Trump, 3rd goes to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 4th for China's Xi Jinping, and 5th for Pope Francis. Japan PM Shinzo Abe is 37th, North Korea's Kim Jong Un is 43rd, US President Barack Obama sank to 48th, Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieto is 54th, and Canada's Justin Trudeau is 66th.

- According to a Harvard university law professor, as many as 30 Republican members of the Electoral College are willing to reject US President-Elect Donald Trump when the Electoral College will meet on the 19th of December to decide the next leader. If 37 Republicans managed vote against him, Trump will never get the 270 target needed to become the 45th president. Meanwhile, a bipartisan coalition of Americans wrote an open letter to the electors for the last-ditch effort to stop Trump. The full letter can be read here.

- Meanwhile, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, a key opposition by the fossil fuel giants, was handpicked by US President-elect Donald Trump for advisory committee. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick also joins President's Strategic and Policy Forum.

- Over one billion Yahoo user accounts has been hacked. The announcement follows the IT giant's disclosure in September that hackers had penetrated over 500 million accounts. The combined number makes the thefts one of the biggest data leaks from a company ever. Yahoo officials said on Wednesday that the latest attack took place in August 2013. Hackers stole names, birthdates, email addresses and telephone numbers but passwords and credit card numbers weren't affected.

- Minions, rejoice! Former supervillain Gru, Lucy, his three adopted girls Margo, Edith, and Agnes, and his Minions are back in Despicable Me 3 as the teaser trailer went live before it hits theaters in the summer of 2017. In the latest film, Gru and Lucy takes on a powerful supervillain named Balthazar Bratt, played by South Park creator Trey Parker.

- The first episode of the PokeMon anime series aired on TV Tokyo since 1997. 2017 marks the anime series' 20th anniversary and next year's film will be a retelling of the original saga, which is named after the very first episode of the show, titled "Pokemon, I Choose You!". The retelling film will be shown in theaters this 15th of July.


- Biohazard (Resident Evil) Vendetta, the third 3DCG animated film based from  Capcom's popular survival horror franchise, hits theaters on the 27th of May. The latest film sees Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Rebecca Chambers race against time to stop a world-renowned terrorist.

Biohazard: Vendetta

TTFN!!!

Toyota C-HR

2017 Toyota C-HR

Meet the new Toyota C-HR, the newest addition to the ever-growing crossover segment and Toyota's decent opponent to the likes of the Nissan Juke, Honda Vezel, and many others in this category. With crossovers becoming the trending topic of the motoring world, the C-HR wants to appeal customers with its coupe-like styling, eco-car efficiency, and not to mentioned dynamics inspired from the Nurburgring, although theoretical in the eyes of many. So, what's it all about the C-HR?

2017 Toyota C-HR

C-HR stands for Coupe High Rider and because this crossover has a coupe-like styling, some people believe that it's a sportscar with a high ground clearance. For a concept-turned-reality design, the C-HR looks somewhat pleasing for some, although it's five door layout is what made them notice. It maybe a coupe but it's essentially a five door crossover as hinted by those secret rear doors that has been a common mischief by most carmakers to confuse customers into thinking that they are coupes but in reality, they have four (or five) doors because of that common mischief as done on the Nissan Juke, DS 4, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and others. Still, no matter what happens, the design is a clear reminder why Toyota wants to stick to the concept looks, despite the added consequences.

2017 Toyota C-HR interior

The interior is basically futuristic by the looks of it and while it resembles more like the Peugeot 208 if you squint your eyes a little bit, it's basic, simple, and regular by crossover standards. It can seat up to five people, you may ask, the rear seats can be folded for extra cargo carrying versatility on the weekends or errands, various ways to place your stuff, whatever stuff you can do inside the C-HR before you leave.

2017 Toyota C-HR

There is a well known theory that the C-HR's development took place in the Nurburgring to further demonstrate its sportscar-like handling for a compact crossover of that size but in general, this is basically a Prius underneath it because the C-HR uses the same TNGA platform as the latest Prius. Yeah, the TNGA platform is about as earful as a Tenga toy on a night market in Hong Kong but for the C-HR, it's a different experience that is still as earful as the platform it uses. Apart from the platform, the C-HR features brand new MacPherson struts in the front and double wishbones in the back, featuring Toyota's first urethane upper supports on the shock absorbers.. Couple that with the aluminum-cast upper support housing and the way the C-HR handles is not too shabby at all, although it could be better when its Nurburgring-honed dynamics aren't meant to be taken very seriously.

Two variants are offered on the C-HR such as the one with the turbocharged 1.2L petrol engine with four-wheel drive and the other, and obviously the odd one out, a 1.8L hybrid with front-wheel drive. The one with the turbocharged 8NR-FTS engine produces a modest 116PS of power and 185Nm of torque while the one with the same powerplant as the Toyota Prius promises 30.2km/L of fuel efficiency based on JC08 Mode standards. That's a lot more compared to the Kia Niro and the hybrid variant of the Honda Vezel but even though its efficiency is the deciding factor for the C-HR, both the Vezel and the Niro can left the C-HR out in the cold due to its CVT gearbox that upsets the C-HR. Sure, the turbocharged one also has a CVT but it's a Super CVT-i with seven-speed manual mode that makes it even more complicating and noticeable when you try.

No matter which variant, the C-HR comes with Toyota Safety Sense P, which features active safety tech such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection function and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist function. There are a lot of safety tech offered in the C-HR but there's one feature that will upset anyone looking at your car from their rear view mirror and that's the Sequential Turn Lamp. That's about as hideous as the sequential rear turn lamps on the Ford Mustang, which remains one of the scariest cars to look on the road because of its back and because it's the front that will panic oncoming drivers, there are many reasons why putting sequential turn lamps are downright terrifying.

Now, should you buy one? The C-HR starts from 2,516,400 to 2,905,200 Japanese Yen but even if your're rushing to buy one, you will get hampered by the extremely long waitlist because of the crossover's extreme demand. No wonder the C-HR is a strong seller even in Japan. For a strong-selling newcomer, the C-HR wants to be the center of this category with its efficiency, styling, and tech that will edge out any competitor in the segment, although its Nurburgring-honed dynamics are extremely questionable from the performance it offers.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Metal Stream Metallic, Black Mica, Sensual Red Mica, Dark Brown Mica Metallic, Yellow, Radiant Green Metallic, and Blue Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation