Cars
Hyundai PH Launches Next-Gen Palisade Hybrid
Hyundai Motor Philippines has introduced a new flagship SUV, and it’s bringing electrified power to the table. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade HEV Calligraphy AWD is now officially available in the country—offering a luxurious three-row layout, bold styling, and an impressive hybrid powertrain.
Inside, the Palisade makes a strong impression with premium Nappa leather upholstery, captain seats in the second row, and ambient lighting that sets the mood across all three rows. The layout combines comfort and function, with soft-touch surfaces, silver accents, and wood panel trim throughout. Power-adjustable seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a power tailgate complete the upscale experience.
Hyundai didn’t hold back when it came to tech. The dashboard features a large 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 14-speaker Bose sound system handles entertainment duties. A digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, and a head-up display add to the futuristic feel.
Under the hood is a hybrid setup composed of a 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and a 1.65 kWh battery pack. The combined system delivers up to 334 PS and 422 Nm of torque, all managed by a six-speed automatic gearbox with all-wheel drive. Despite its size, the SUV delivers a responsive and refined driving experience.
Only one fully loaded variant is offered in the country—the HEV Calligraphy AWD—priced at PHP 3.98 million. Each purchase comes with a five-year or 200,000-kilometer warranty, while the hybrid battery gets separate coverage for eight years or 160,000 kilometers.
The Palisade Hybrid stands out on the road with its squared-off silhouette, striking vertical LED headlights, bold grille, and massive 21-inch alloy wheels. It measures 5,080 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, and 1,805 mm tall, with a 2,970 mm wheelbase and 187 mm of ground clearance—offering both presence and practicality.
As expected from Hyundai, the new Palisade comes packed with a full suite of advanced driver assistance features. These include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind spot monitoring and avoidance, lane keeping and lane following assist, rear occupant alert, 360-degree surround-view cameras, and reverse parking collision avoidance.
For added convenience and driver focus, Hyundai also included electrochromic mirrors, a column-mounted gear selector, paddle shifters, push-start ignition, a smart key system, and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering column. All of these work together to create a refined driving environment.
Safety remains a top priority. The SUV includes seven airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer sway assist, ISOFIX anchors, a multi-collision braking system, and tire pressure monitoring—all standard on the Philippine-spec model.
Available colors include Abyss Black Pearl, Ecotronic Gray Pearl, Creamy White Pearl, and Robust Emerald Pearl. With its powerful hybrid drivetrain, next-level tech, and family-first design, the new Palisade Hybrid aims to redefine what a luxury 7-seater SUV can be for Filipino buyers.
Pasay City is bringing back free shuttle rides, and this time, the service gets a tech boost. Starting August 12, 2025, residents can hop on Toyota Lite Ace community shuttles for another year at no cost, with routes and seats managed through Toyota’s mobility apps. The move aims to cut commute stress, make trips more predictable, and move Pasay closer to its “smart city” goals.
Instead of the usual “ride wherever there’s a vacant seat,” passengers can plan trips and reserve seats via the myTOYOTA Shuttle PH app, while city administrators get real-time vehicle data and driver behavior insights through Toyota Fleet Connected Service. It’s a small fleet of five Toyota Lite Ace units donated in March 2025, but a big step toward cleaner, safer, and more efficient city mobility. Think barangay-to-City Hall errands, school runs, or quick hospital trips made smoother with digital tools.
Free rides cushion households from rising transportation costs, and app-based booking reduces “come what may” commutes. If the system works in Pasay, other local governments could copy the model, especially for first- and last-mile routes where jeepneys or buses aren’t practical. It’s also a test of public trust: will commuters actually use the app? Can the city keep the shuttles on schedule and the data secure?
The program builds on the Toyota Community Shuttle pilot that ran from December 2023 to January 2025, which proved that connected, shared transport can improve access without needing major new infrastructure. The relaunch, led by Pasay City officials with Toyota executives, signals tighter public–private teamwork to modernize mobility at the city level.
Headed to the mall this weekend? You might bump into Ford’s newest electrified duo—one for practical daily drives, the other a head‑turning EV pony. Which one fits your Manila traffic life better?
Ford Philippines is taking the New Territory Hybrid and the all‑electric Mustang Mach‑E on a nationwide show-and-tell through October, bringing them to high‑footfall malls and select dealerships so shoppers can check the tech and the design up close.
Where to see them first:
- Territory Hybrid (Aug 15–17): Over 20 mall spots from SM Southmall, V Mall Greenhills, SM Bicutan, SM Marikina, Robinsons Place Manila to SM City Batangas, SM Sta. Rosa, SM San Pablo, SM Taytay, SM Legazpi, plus North Luzon stops like SM Cabanatuan, SM Rosales, Harbor Point Subic, SM Tarlac, SM Tuguegarao, SM Ilocos Norte, SM Baguio, then SM Seaside Cebu, Island City Mall Bohol, and Mindanao with SM City Davao, Robinsons Place Pagadian. If you reserve at these sites, you get a free 3‑year Scheduled Service Plan (SSP).
- Mustang Mach‑E Roadshow (Dealerships):
Ford Alabang (Aug 13–17), Global City (Aug 20–25), Balintawak (Aug 27–Sep 1), EDSA (Sep 3–8), Libis (Sep 3–8), Marikina (Sep 10–14), Cebu (Sep 30–Oct 5). Retail starts September at those same dealerships.
Hybrid practicality, EV excitement. One aims for lower fuel use in stop‑and‑go EDSA crawls; the other shows what a Filipino EV garage could look like—if your condo or barangay has charging sorted.
Perks that soften ownership costs. The free 3‑year SSP for Territory Hybrid reservations at mall stops is a real saver, especially with rising maintenance costs. Fair deal or marketing fluff? You tell us.
Access, not just hype. This isn’t a one‑city launch. The tour reaches Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao so more families can test cabin space, infotainment, and driver aids without flying to Manila.
Fresh from the public reveal, Ford wants more Filipinos to experience the brand’s electrified push—“from mall displays to dealerships,” says MD Pedro Simoes. Translation: they’re betting you’ll choose with your eyes and a quick sit‑in. Agree? Or do you still want hard data like charging costs vs. gas?
- Would you daily a hybrid for school runs and groceries, or go full‑EV for the torque and quiet rides?
- Which stop is nearest you—Southmall, Greenhills, Cebu, Davao? Planning to drop by?
MANILA | After seven years, Ayala Corporation’s AC Industrials has officially ended its distributorship of Maxus vehicles in the Philippines, closing a chapter that started with the brand’s local launch in 2019. The decision, made jointly with China’s SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, was described as a “strategic step” for both companies to refocus on their core strengths amid shifting market dynamics.
Maxus entered the Philippine market under Ayala with vans like the G10 and V80, later adding the G50 MPV, D60 and D90 SUVs, and the T60 pickup. Some models have since evolved under SAIC’s other brand, MG, such as the G50 morphing into the G50 Plus and the upcoming re-entry of the D90. The T90 pickup is also set for a local debut as the TRQ.
For existing Maxus owners, it’s not the end of the road. Aftersales support will continue, with service bookings available via maxus.ph, and contact channels kept open for customer concerns.
Dana Uson, Head of Strategy at AC Industrials Mobility Group, said the company is proud to have contributed to Maxus’ local growth and reaffirmed its commitment to “innovative and sustainable mobility solutions” in the country. Meanwhile, SAIC’s Frank Wu thanked AC Industrials for laying a “strong foundation” for the brand in the Philippines.
Industry watchers weren’t entirely surprised. SAIC took direct control of MG’s Philippine operations in 2023, hinting that Maxus could eventually follow a similar path. For now, AC Industrials will focus on its other motoring brands, BYD, Kia, and Volkswagen, while SAIC continues to grow MG and possibly, one day, revive Maxus locally.
The announcement is rare in the auto industry, where most distributor shake-ups happen quietly, noticed only through shuttered dealerships and disappearing ads. This time, both parties went public—perhaps signaling a more open and competitive landscape ahead.
