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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider Auto Focus announces 2024-2025 Media's Choice Awards winners

Auto Focus announces 2024-2025 Media's Choice Awards winners

Top car picks as determined by the automotive press

Published Mar 5, 2025 02:45 am

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The top vehicles, as voted by the Philippine motoring press, have just been officially revealed. This poll, called the 2024-2025 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards (AFMCA), was released by Sunshine Television (STV), the organizer of this annual merit program for the local automobile industry.

First introduced in 2008, its 17th edition has just recently concluded. The AFMCA aims to further recognize the automobile industry’s continuing efforts to provide car owners and motorists with the best on-board features, styling, performance and overall value. 

A select group of recognized motoring media professionals and practitioners comprised the AFMCA Voters’ Panel who convened for a special poll last December to select qualified winners in the programs four distinct categories: Design, Engine Performance, Safety Features and Value-for-Money. 

In validating the poll tally, the Awards Committee maintained a rationalized majority rule that, as in previous years, set a 1/3rd or 33.3% vote tally requirement for media awardees in 12 Standard and 10 Premium/Luxury model classifications. 

Based on AFMCA selection standards, 45 honorees emerged from the 88 available award categories. 

Seven winners earned the Best Design – Standard Category accolade. These are the JAC Ytterby (Mini Sedan); Honda Civic (Compact Sedan); Mazda 6 Sports Wagon (Midsize Sedan); Nissan Z (Sports Car); Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Large SUV/Crossover); Hyundai Staria (Van); and Mitsubishi Triton (Pickup).

Four winners took home the Best Design – Premium/Luxury Category plum. These are the Audi RS e-Tron GT (Large Sedan); Lexus LBX (Mini/Sub-compact SUV/Crossover); Audi Q8 e-Tron (Large SUV/Crossover); and Toyota Alphard (Van).

Six winners garnered the Best Engine Performance - Standard Category. These are the Honda Brio (Mini Sedan); Honda Civic (Compact Sedan); Toyota Camry (Midsize Sedan); Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Large SUV/Crossover); Hyundai Staria (Van); and Isuzu D-Max (Pickup).

Six winners secured the Best Engine Performance – Premium/Luxury Category award. These are the Audi RS3 (Sub-compact Sedan); BMW 5 Series (Midsize Sedan); Porsche 911 (Sports Car); Lexus LBX (Mini/Sub-compact SUV/Crossover); BMW iX (Midsize SUV/Crossover); and Toyota Alphard (Van).

Six winners earned the Best Safety Features - Standard Category award. These are the Honda Brio (Mini Sedan); Honda Civic (Compact Sedan); BYD Han (Midsize Sedan); Honda Civic Type R (Sports Car); Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Large SUV/Crossover); and Hyundai Staria (Van).

Four winners took home the Best Safety Features - Premium/Luxury Category award. These are the BMW 5 Series (Midsize Sedan); Volvo S90 (Large Sedan); Lexus LBX (Mini/Sub-compact SUV/Crossover); and Toyota Alphard (Van).

Six winners were determined the Best Value for Money - Standard Category. These are the 
Honda Brio (Mini Sedan); GAC Empow (Compact Sedan); BYD Han (Midsize Sedan); Honda Civic Type R (Sports Car); Hyundai Staria & Toyota Hi-Ace (Van); and Isuzu D-Max (Pickup).

Six winners were named Best Value for Money - Premium/Luxury Category. These are the Lexus ES/ESh (Midsize Sedan); Hyundai Ionic 6 (Large Sedan); Lexus LBX (Mini/Sub-compact SUV/Crossover); Hyundai Ionic 5 (Compact SUV/Crossover; Lexus GX (Midsize SUV/Crossover); Toyota Alphard (Van)

“How the car industry has significantly evolved over the past two years has been truly amazing!” noted STV President Ray Louis ‘Wee’ Gamboa. “New industry players, new brands, a very wide range of normally aspirated, hybrid and fully electric models at almost every price point, and various state-of-the-art on-board features that provide on-line connectivity and key vehicle and travel information. With such numerous choices and options available, we believe the learned selections of the motoring media, as reflected in the AFMCA results, can serve as a suitable guide for the car buying public to make wiser and well-informed decisions.”

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