Driven: The most memorable cars of 2023
ANOTHER year has passed with another set of reviews completed. Safe to say, we've had our fair share of new car launches and media drives this year, alongside the usual week-long test drives. This enabled us to narrate to you, our dear readers, what car you should buy and whether it will fit your needs perfectly. After all, not all cars are created equal, and some vehicles are oriented differently, whether for comfort, sportiness, or everyday usability.
With the many new cars that I've driven in 2023, it's easy to be enamored with the high-end luxury cars and, in rare instances, the sultry high-performance dream cars that we often get to experience once in a while. So, to make this list realistic for most Filipino car buyers, I've personally set a price cap of P5 million. Without further ado, these are the five most memorable cars I've driven this year because of how much they have redefined our expectations or painstakingly kept a solid formula but have improved so much that it puts the vehicle at the top of its class.
Mazda CX-60
For the past decade or so, Mazda has been in pursuit of becoming a premium brand, and that lofty goal has finally been achieved in 2023 — sort of. With a premium rear-wheel-drive (RWD) architecture, a duo of BMW-aping straight-six engines, and a design best described as timelessly sultry, the two-row CX-60 and three-row CX-90 were born.
What I drove the most, in particular, was the CX-60. Available in both gas and diesel versions, the CX-60's straight-six was singlehandedly its main draw. The sound and power delivery are unlike anything in its segment. Yet, thanks to the M Hybrid Boost 48-volt system, it was easily achieving 11 to 12 kilometers per liter (kpl) without even trying. Its sporty orientation also makes it the most satisfying SUV to drive at its price point. However, it's not a perfect crossover SUV, and it will probably attract a certain niche as a result of the cons I'm about to mention.
The sporty orientation means that the CX-60's ride at city speeds is firm (though not as bad as a Fortuner). As you speed up, it improves significantly. Initial reviews also noted the eight-speed multi-plate clutch auto's clunky nature. But
