Sure, anyone or any publication for that matter can declare which is the best car money can buy today. But only an entity as prestigious as the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI), which happens to be the country’s premier automotive award-giving body, has the authority to name the Car and Truck of the Year Philippines.
On that note, they’ve named the Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT as the Car of the Year – Philippines (COTY-PH) while the Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4×2 LS AT took the title as the Truck of the Year – Philippines (TOTY-PH) for 2016.
The Honda Civic is no stranger to this award. Exactly 11 years ago, it won the same crown with the 8th gen. Civic proving that this compact sedan is still the best car out there even after a decade. There has also been 4 different winners in 4 years in the truck category. The Mazda BT-50, Ford Ranger Wildtrak, and Nissan Navara have all been called Truck of the Year – Philippines and it’s nice for the Isuzu D-MAX to join this extra-exclusive club.
There were 72 entries in total this year, grouped into 19 individual categories, with a category winner for each one, and an overall Car and Truck of the Year Philippines. These are all the winners in 2016.
| 2016 Car of the Year - Philippines Winners | ||
| Car of the Year - Philippines | ||
| Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT | ||
| Best Subcompact Car | Best Compact Car | Luxury Compact Car |
| Suzuki Ciaz GL 1.4L MT | Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT | Audi S3 Saloon 2.0 TFSI Quattro |
| Best Midsize Car | Best Luxury Midsize Car | Best Wagon |
| Mazda 6 SKYACTIV Diesel Sedan | Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI DSG Business Edition | Mazda 6 Sports Wagon |
| Best Compact Crossover SUV | Best Crossover SUV | Best Luxury Midsize Crossover SUV |
| Mazda CX-3 FWD Sport | Mazda CX-5 SKYACTIV Diesel AWD | Lexus RX 350 Premier |
| Best 2WD SUV | Best 4WD SUV | Best Premium SUV |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4D 2WD AT | Mitsubishi Montero Sport GT 2.4D 4WD AT | Mitsubishi Pajero GLS 3.2 Di-D 4WD AT |
| Best Luxury SUV | Best MPV | Best Premium MPV |
| Maserati Levante Diesel | Haima V70 1.5L+6AT Deluxe | Honda Odyssey EX CVT |
| Best Premium Sports Car | Best Commercial Utility Vehicle | |
| Nissan GT-R Premium | Suzuki Super Carry Utility Van 0.8L DDIS Turbo Diesel | |
| 2016 Truck of the Year - Philippines Winners | ||
| Truck of the Year - Philippines | ||
| Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4x2 LS AT | ||
| Best 2WD Pickup Truck | Best 4WD Pickup Truck | |
| Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L 4x2 LS AT | Mitsubishi Strada 2.4 GT 4x4 AT | |
| Special Awards | ||
| NUVALI Green Car Award | MOTOLITE Class M Award | Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. Best Safety Award |
| Honda Legend 3.5 Sport Hybrid SH-AWD | Hyundai 2.0 Tucson CRDi GLS 6AT 2WD | Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI DSG Business Edition |
| Speedlab Tuner's Choice Award | Manila International Auto Show Best Design Award | |
| Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT | Nissan GT-R Premium |
“The COTY Awards is not simply a show of hands or popularity contest. It’s the only award in the country that is based on instrumented tests to gather evidence of real world acceleration, braking, and handling performance. No other organization employs such stringent testing methods to determine their COTY winners. After the number crunching by KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co., this data driven, unbiased program, ensures an accurate representation of an outstanding vehicle on category and overall basis. We trust that the COTY Awards will guide you in purchasing your next motor vehicle,” said Robby Consunji, President, Car Awards Group, Inc.
Established in 2004, the CAGI is the longest-running organization of motoring journalists in the country today. It’s current membership has media representatives from 35 entities.
The 2016 CAGI Car of the Year Awards is co-presented by Carmudi.com.ph and was made possible by partner KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. Other sponsors include Ayala Land Premier; NUVALI; Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation; Motolite Batteries; El Cielito Hotel – Sta. Rosa; Manila International Auto Show; Worldbex International; and Speedlab. Drinks at the Awards Night was provided by Johnnie Walker. Official media partners include BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, The Philippine Star, Auto Review, Turbo Zone, and JamesDeakin.ph.