DRIVING THOUGHTS

Not so very long ago when I was still motoring editor, I’d choose to be the first driver in a test drive event. I’d grip the wheel, tune into the engine’s rhythm, and write about every curve and climb of a test route. But these days, test drives have taken a quieter, more reflective turn.

Now, as executive editor, I often find myself not in the driver’s seat, but in the rear—literally.

My “test rides” are measured less by horsepower and more by how efficiently I can work from the back seat. As motoring journalists, vloggers, and content creators power through the twists and straights of our country’s scenic roads, oftentimes live streaming to tell their followers about the experience, I sit silently behind them — reading drafts, editing editorials, circling misplaced commas, and untangling implied meanings – all from my phone.

Now, the question I ask of any vehicle is simple: Can I edit my pages from the back seat, while the car is running 80 to 100 kph, or crawling stop-and-go at 30 to 40 kph? During the recent Isuzu mu-X test drive in Palawan, the answer was a resounding yes.

Driving — or riding – through 270 kilometers from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, this scenic test drive — hosted by Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) — offered a chance to experience the latest 2025 mu-X across one of the most breathtaking routes in the country. Lush rainforests, well-paved and wide winding roads passing sleepy towns, and the glimmer of sea and sun—Palawan was the perfect stage to showcase what this SUV could do. And the weather seemed to have put on a show to test the mu-X’s handling – from drizzles to downpour, from full visibility to foggy rain shower.

From the backseat, I had a front-row view of how the mu-X handled the diverse terrain and fickle weather. Its 4JJ3 TCX engine — delivering 190 PS and 450 N-m of torque — allowed smooth, steady acceleration through both the highway straights and the tight bends of the mountain curves. Even from the rear, I could feel the control. The suspension softened bumps in the road while the refined ride ensured I never lost my focus in mid-sentence. Plus, the calm and consistent driving style of Ferds Vinzon from Turbo Zone, insulated my vertigo from the jarring motions of sudden braking, or sweeping acceleration at a curve.

The mu-X worked for someone like me — on the go, always working to meet a deadline, but still observing. The seven-seater layout — we kept the third row folded to accommodate our bags — was spacious, with generous legroom and a calm cabin environment. I opened my phone, checked my roaming Wi-Fi for a good signal, and went to work. I may have been far from the newsroom, but the work didn’t stop.

The mu-X delivered smart connectivity — an essential for today’s remote multitaskers. The 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowed our team to stay linked and entertained. The wireless charging pad stood by for when our phones would need to be powered through the long stretches.

Safety, a quiet but crucial presence in the vehicle, was reason to take a break from work. I was still fascinated by the Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), the Gen4 SMART Duo Camera, and a 360-degree Around View Monitor. The gentle beep when the car strayed the lane, the images from the cameras when the reverse gear was engaged, or when the driver pushes the right or left signal light — all these invited me to trust the vehicle. And trust allowed the driver to focus on the road ahead, and for me, on the paragraph I was editing to trim down.

Of course, every test drive today is also a kind of media circus. Around me was a new generation of motoring storytellers: vloggers shooting GoPro and 360-footage, influencers capturing transitions for reels, and motoring journalists just sitting quietly, absorbing the scenes of hopeful storytellers and the Isuzu mu-X silhouette while waiting for the storytellers to board. Their enthusiasm was infectious, their stories personal. We experienced the same road, but we each took different stories home.

For me, this wasn’t just about reviewing a vehicle. It was about rethinking how we live and work in motion. The 2025 Isuzu mu-X is more than just an SUV — it’s a space of transition. For the family road tripper, it’s a safe and spacious haven. For the adventure-seeker, it’s a reliable companion. And for the multitasking editor wedged in the rear seat, it’s a smooth, mobile workspace.

As a cloudy sunset came and El Nido drew closer, I closed my phone and looked out. Sometimes, it takes a quiet, comfortable backseat to truly take in the view — and to catch up on anecdotes, gadgets on sale, and of course, gossip with old friends —Robert Carlos, sales division head of IPC, Mika David, Manila Times and Ignition PH, and of course my dear friend Ferds, who drove the whole 270 kilometers!

The 2025 mu-X made space for the kind of drive — and reflection and friendships — that we didn’t know we needed. And that needs only a comma, not a period. We shall meet in another new car soon.