VinFast VF 5 gives first-time buyers a car that can also earn

For many Filipinos, buying a first car is no longer only about reaching a personal milestone. It can also become the starting point for a small transport business or an additional source of income.

The VinFast VF 5 makes a case for both roles by combining compact dimensions, an electric powertrain and enough space for everyday family use. Its size helps drivers navigate crowded streets and tight parking areas, while the raised SUV seating position provides a clearer view of surrounding traffic.

The cabin accommodates five passengers and can handle regular commutes, grocery trips and weekend drives. A digital cockpit and practical convenience features also give first-time owners the equipment expected from a modern vehicle.

Those same qualities allow the VF 5 to serve beyond personal transportation. Owners may use it for ride-hailing, shuttle services, tourism transport or other mobility-based work as more Filipinos turn to flexible income opportunities.

Around 9.9 million Filipinos participate in some form of gig work, according to data cited in the 2025 Ipsos “Gig Life PH” study. About 61 percent do it part-time to supplement earnings from a regular job or an existing business.

The VF 5’s electric powertrain can help operators reduce spending on fuel and routine maintenance compared with a conventional gasoline vehicle. It offers a driving range of up to 326 kilometers under the NEDC standard, while DC fast charging can bring the battery from 10 to 70 percent in about 33 minutes.

Its ability to handle commercial use is already being tested at scale in Vietnam, where the model serves as the primary vehicle of Green GSM, an all-electric ride-hailing service.

Electric vehicle adoption is also gaining ground in the Philippines. EV registrations reached 29,715 units during the first seven months of 2025, exceeding the 24,000 units recorded for the whole of 2024, based on Land Transportation Office figures cited by VinFast.

The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act has helped support that growth. Zero-tariff rates on EVs and their components have been extended through 2028, giving individual buyers and fleet operators another reason to consider switching to electric mobility.

VinFast is also supporting VF 5 ownership through battery subscription options, a resale value guarantee and free charging on the V-Green network until March 31, 2029. Its local EV ecosystem includes vehicles, charging stations, dealerships and aftersales services.

For a first-time buyer, the decision often comes down to choosing between a vehicle for personal needs and one that can support future income. The VF 5 offers a way to cover both, serving as a daily car when needed and a working asset when an opportunity comes along.

Toyota Motor Philippines has started retail sales of the ninth-generation Hilux, introducing a redesigned diesel lineup alongside the nameplate’s first battery-electric 4×4 variant.

The all-new pickup adopts Toyota’s “Cyber Sumo” design, combining the Hilux’s familiar muscular proportions with sharper details. C-shaped LED headlamps frame a wider honeycomb grille, while the rear receives updated lighting and a deck-side step for easier access to the cargo bed.

Each grade carries its own styling. The Conquest gets a rugged front bumper aimed at buyers who use their pickups for outdoor trips and overlanding, while the Hilux BEV uses an enclosed grille to improve aerodynamics and distinguish it from the diesel models.

All internal combustion engine variants retain Toyota’s 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel engine. It produces 204 PS, with torque rated at 420 Nm for manual versions and up to 500 Nm for automatic models.

Toyota continues to use independent double wishbones at the front and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs. Higher variants gain ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels, while the entry-level versions pair front discs with rear drums.

The V and Conquest grades now use electric power steering to reduce effort during parking and other low-speed maneuvers. The G and E variants retain hydraulic steering, which suits their more work-focused character.

At the top of the diesel range, the Conquest adds Multi-Terrain Select with settings for Dirt, Rock, Sand, Mogul and Mud. It also comes with an electronic parking brake, Auto Hold, a Panoramic View Monitor, seven airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.

The cabin receives a more modern dashboard and updated technology. Conquest and V models feature a 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while G and E variants use an 8-inch unit with wired smartphone connectivity.

Synthetic leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat give the Conquest a more SUV-like cabin. Similar equipment appears in the BEV, which also gets wireless charging and a Panoramic View Monitor.

The electric Hilux uses a dedicated ladder-frame chassis with added protection for its high-voltage battery and electric axle. A dual-motor system delivers a combined 196 PS, with 200 Nm from the front motor and 269 Nm from the rear.

Permanent electric all-wheel drive distributes power between the axles, while a 59.2-kWh lithium-ion battery provides up to 315 kilometers of range under the NEDC standard.

Owners receive a complimentary wall charger with home installation. The pickup supports AC Type 2 and DC CCS2 charging and can also use Toyota dealerships equipped with EV charging facilities in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Laguna, La Union, Batangas and Cebu.

Ground clearance reaches as much as 312 mm for the diesel variants and 287 mm for the BEV. Both powertrain choices are designed to preserve the Hilux’s ability to handle work, recreational driving and rough terrain.

Prices start at ₱1.772 million for the Hilux 2.8 4×2 E automatic and rise to ₱2.631 million for the 4×4 Conquest automatic with premium color. The sole Hilux BEV variant costs ₱2.990 million.

The expanded range gives buyers a choice between the long-distance flexibility and towing capability of diesel power and the quieter operation and immediate response of a fully electric drivetrain.

Kia Philippines has brought the Sportage back to the local market, giving the compact SUV a turbo hybrid powertrain, updated styling and a broader set of comfort and safety features.

Now in its fifth generation, the Sportage returns as one of two available variants, the EX and SX. Both use a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid system paired with a 1.49-kWh lithium-ion battery, producing a combined 235 PS and 367 Nm of torque.

The setup gives Kia a hybrid entry in the compact SUV segment while retaining the performance expected from the Sportage nameplate.

Prices start at an introductory P1.898 million for the EX, down from its regular P1.978-million price until the end of July. The SX is priced at P2.098 million, while a version with an optional two-tone interior costs P2.128 million.

Kia has fitted both variants with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting and its signature Tiger Nose grille. Star-Map Signature LED headlights and projector foglights give the front a sharper look, while a smart power tailgate adds convenience at the rear.

The cabin features a 12.3-inch LCD infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless phone charging and leather seats are also included, while the audio system depends on the chosen variant. Buyers get either a six-speaker setup or an eight-speaker Harman Kardon system.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, cruise control and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The higher-spec SX adds Kia DriveWise features such as Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist.

“The Kia Sportage has occupied a special place in the hearts of Filipino motorists as a pioneer of the compact SUV segment,” Kia Philippines Managing Director Jay Lopez said.

Lopez added that the new generation respects the model’s history while meeting current demand for hybrid performance, comfort and bolder styling.

Four exterior colors are available: Heritage Blue, Wolf Grey, Snow White Pearl and Gravity Grey. The SX may be ordered in all four shades, while the EX is available in Wolf Grey, Snow White Pearl and Gravity Grey.

Both versions come with a five-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer battery warranty.

The new Sportage is available through Kia dealerships nationwide. Kia Philippines operates under ACMobility and has 38 dealerships across the country.