Esquire Recommends: Our Favorite Cars - 2011 to 2021

In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we at Esquire Philippines have rounded up our favorite products of the year, from cars to cocktails. As part of our annual Man at His Best (MAHB) event, we’re putting the spotlight on the brands and products that caught our eye. 

We present our favorite cars from 2011 to 2021.

It’s never easy to choose the best of anything, especially cars. This is by no means a hardcore scientific analysis of the best cars available in the country since 2011, the year Esquire launched in the Philippines. Rather, these are cars that made our hearts skip a beat or two. On Esquire Philippines’ 10th anniversary, we look back and pick our favorite cars of the last 10 years.  

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2011 

Ford Explorer

The practical executive SUV

The fifth generation Ford Explorer had about a decade of production run and was a popular choice for SUV buyers who didn’t want a full-sized SUV but expected a certain level of luxury, especially above the pickup-based diesel engine-powered seven-seater SUVs that were popular in the market. With better ride comfort and an attractive price point, it addressed a targeted premium SUV market for owners who were willing to spare a few hundred thousand pesos extra. The gorgeous new sheetmetal and smooth V6 engine made this model a very good choice.

When it was introduced, many pointed out a subtle but uncanny resemblance to the Land Rover SUVs at that time because of its elegant silhouette and blacked out A, B and D pillars and cantilevered “floating roof” that made it look like its European cousin, which, probably not coincidentally, was also owned by Ford at the time. The Explorer also had a number of cool segment-first features like power folding third row seats and powered tailgates. Facelifted versions introduced in later years made sure the model transitioned well, ensuring that the nameplate is still a popular choice 10 years on. 

2012 

Lexus LFA 

The ultimate Lexus

 

When Lexus was a relatively young luxury car brand and barely out of its teens, it introduced its halo car—the LFA. Lexus only built 500 units and its rarity is pushing the car’s value towards the million-dollar mark in car auctions today. The LFA was parent company Toyota Motor Corp. CEO Akio Toyoda’s idea of the ultimate Lexus. Taking almost 10 years to develop, the LFA used a lot of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, developed by Toyota when it was still into Formula One racing.

The 553hp V-10 engine was tuned and developed in collaboration with Yamaha to come up with one of the best-ever sounding engines. Being an expert in acoustics, Yamaha also made sure that the car’s cabin was perfectly tuned for the driver and passenger to enjoy the most exhilarating symphony of exhaust notes money can buy. This car was also one of the most expensive Japanese cars ever built. (Personally, this car was one of my most memorable track rides ever as I got to experience the LFA driven flat out when Japanese racecar driver Yoshihiro Kataoka came to the country and I rode shotgun at Clark International Speedway).

2013

Mini John Cooper Works GP 

The fastest Mini

 

John Cooper was a 1960s racing legend and his Formula One race cars revolutionized the way F1 cars were designed and driven by some of the best drivers of his time. Together with the creator of the original Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis, Cooper created a high-performance variant that saw the birth of the Mini Cooper nameplate in 1961. Some 40 years later, U.K. tuner shop John Cooper Works was founded by Cooper’s son, Michael, in 2002 and was acquired by Mini in 2008. Since then, the brand has come up with three generations of the highly collectible and performance Mini John Cooper Works GP variants, with the latest third generation JCW GP launched in Manila in 2020.

With production limited to only 2,000 units, the second-generation JCW Mini GP was the fastest Mini at the time. It has a 218hp 1.6 liter turbocharged engine with a six-speed manual transmission and is a blast to drive, whether on open roads or on the race track. Only a few units were brought in due to limited allocation so don’t expect these cars to turn up in the marketplace anytime soon.

2014 (and facelifted 2015) 

Toyota Land Cruiser

Japan’s King of the Hill (and the road)

 

Since 1951, the Land Cruiser has always been synonymous with reliability, off-roading prowess and more recently, practical luxury. Seventy years and 10 million units later, it has grown in size over the years from a small and Spartan soft-top military personnel carrier to becoming a full-sized luxury SUV and the go-to nameplate for businessmen, politicians, and celebrities as their dependable daily transport. From scorching deserts to polar regions, the Land Cruiser can tackle almost any landscape and the Land Cruiser 200 model was no different. The 2014 200 Series model was a year shy of the facelifted model, and still continues to have a strong resale value in the pre-owned car market.

Don’t let the plush and cushy leather interior fool you. The robust suspension and 4WD multi-terrain select features of the Land Cruiser makes this SUV the king of the hill, whether or not the situation calls for off-roading. Toyota Land Cruisers have dominated punishing extreme adventure events like the Dakar Rally in its almost production stock form. Even with the all-new 300 Series available in the market, do not expect this king to retire anytime soon, since these vehicles are so well built, they’d easily last for 30 to 40 years.

2015 

Mazda Miata MX-5 

The world’s bestselling sports car

 

Whether on the road or on the racetrack, there is little reason to doubt why the Miata MX-5 is the bestselling two-seater sports car in the world, breaching the one-million-unit mark back in April 2016. Why is it so popular? The secret sauce isn’t just a powerful engine. The current refreshed model puts out 181hp, which isn’t that much compared to today’s sports cars. Simply put, the MX-5 is such a joy to drive. Yet even after four generations and over 30 years, the car’s lightweight, simple, and analog set up is still reminiscent of those British roadsters of the 60s. With electrification just around the corner, this latest generation MX-5 is surely a keeper. Pop the hood and you will see that the engine bay still looks like a traditional engine layout without the large ghastly plastic covers hiding the entire engine.

The Miata Cup is the longest running single make and model race in the country, and the Miata Club Philippines, which was founded in 1997, is also one of the country’s longest-running car clubs. Being a part of this collective adds to a truly enjoyable sports car ownership experience if you choose to get one soon. Regardless of whether it’s a soft-top convertible or the newer RF (Retractable Fastback) coupe, the MX-5 remains to be the most affordable, value-for-money and fun-to-drive engaging sports car available in the market today.

2016 

Nissan GT-R 

The Godzilla of the tracks

 

Although the venerable Nissan GT-R was introduced in other markets much earlier, the Nissan GT-R was officially unveiled at the sixth Philippine International Motor Show in 2016. After a couple of years, Nissan Philippines also brought in the higher spec Nissan GT-R Nismo, which stands for Nissan Motorsport International Ltd., Nissan’s in-house tuning and performance division. Fondly dubbed by car enthusiasts as the “Godzilla,” the moniker for the GT-R came from the Australian motoring press in 1989, when Nissan introduced its third generation R32 Skyline GT-R in 1989. The name stuck even for future generation GT-Rs.

This was also the year that the Nissan GT-R’s exterior was updated, got a bigger air intake of about 20 percent, and updated its ground effects design to compensate for additional downforce. Priced at over P7 million, it was the most expensive Nissan ever sold in the country. The car’s track time in Germany’s Nurburgring can keep up with the likes of the Porsche Carrera GT and Lamborghini Huracan, thanks to its highly tuned suspension and proven Nissan VR38DETT 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine, which is handcrafted by select Nissan engineers and Takumi craftsmen.

2017 

Honda Type R Civic 

The Nurburgring record beater

At the heart of every high-performance car is its engine. From the same company that supplied the engine for leading Formula One driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, the Honda Civic Type R took the record for the fastest lap for a front wheel drive car in Nurburgring in April of 2017, with a lap time of seven minutes and 43.8 seconds. Its 2.0-litre VTEC turbocharged engine packs an incendiary 305 horsepower with a peak torque of 400 Nm that’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission equipped with a rev match control system, enabling the car to sustain maximum power during gearshift. Unveiled at the 2017 Manila International Auto Show, the first 100 units were all sold out the moment Honda Cars Philippines announced its availability. 

Some updates were made for the 2021 model, which now comes with Active Sound Control (ASC), complementing the Type R’s triple exhaust system’s refined note. And further improvements on the suspension and brake systems for more responsive and sharper handling. The Civic Type R’s Adaptive Damper System’s control software has been upgraded to allow faster road condition evaluation, resulting in improved damper reactions for better handling response and ride quality. Today, the Civic Type R still continues to be one of the most sought-after performance sedans in the market.

2018 

Suzuki Jimny

Perfect for roads less traveled

 

The new generation Jimny caused quite a stir at the 2018 Philippine International Motor Show. Demand for the much-anticipated subcompact off-roader was so huge globally, the waiting time was over a year locally for the first few years. Called the Jimny All-Grip Pro, it is the fourth-generation iteration of the nameplate and the brand’s trademark 4x4 continued its simple, purposeful and rugged design ideal for off-road adventures across any terrain and trail. Its ladder frame design with independent long-stroke three-link suspension and rigid full wheel front and rear axles allows strong traction on uneven and rough terrains, ideal for most off-road conditions. It also included modern niceties like a bigger nine-inch multimedia audio unit and off-line GPS navigation system and off-road audio guide. 

But the real charm of the Jimny goes beyond delivering an authentic 4x4 experience. The boxy, stylishly retro-chic off-roader looks just as great trotting the tight streets around the metro. The part-time 4WD system can be switched from 4WD to 2WD to give optimal on or off-road performance and fuel economy and enhanced cornering on paved roads.

2019 

Kia Stinger GT

Effortlessly cool

The Korean carmaker’s performance sedan is the go-to car for those who want a stylish and value driven midsize sedan with fabulous Euro-inspired looks. Best of all, it’s one purchase that doesn’t have to break the bank. Developed under German designer and Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer, it was unveiled at the 2019 Manila International Auto Show, becoming the brand’s centerpiece for that year, clearly showing that Kia meant business. The 3.3-liter V6 twin turbo engine is rated at 365 horsepower that propels it from zero to 100kph in just 4.9 seconds. Driving the car at high speeds is quite effortless, which gives it a very grand touring appeal. This is actually a five-door sedan, so it comes with extra cargo room. Its comfortable and spacious rear seats is a practical performance car alternative for those who want a gorgeous sleeper that’s up to the task as a reliable daily driver as well.  

2020 

Jeep Gladiator 

The ultimate adventure lifestyle pickup

 

Jeep has not produced a pickup truck for about three decades, so the introduction of the Gladiator nameplate was a big thing. The Jeep Gladiator bagged the prestigious 2020 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards in the US as best truck of the year. Besides being the only pickup truck that has a removable roof, its doors can be removed as well. It also has a sizeable truck bed for stowing cargo and can tow as much as 10,000 pounds. 

The Jeep’s rich heritage of dependable, tough utility trucks with very capable off-road abilities, rugged utility, open-air freedom and practical functionality makes the Gladiator a top choice in the premium mid-size pickup truck segment. It is also the most expensive in the local market. 

Built with similar architecture as the Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator comes with a longer wheelbase and makes it one of the most capable mid-sized truck without compromise. It is the only convertible pickup truck in the market, which makes it the ideal work-and-play vehicle delivering a unique open-air driving experience. 

2021 

Porsche Taycan 

Charging to the future

 

Any Porsche-badged car is a bucket list for a car enthusiast. But with the future in mind, the Taycan is a no-brainer. Simply put, there is no other car like it. Besides having the coolest sliding charging port cover (aka gas tank cover for combustion engines), it comes in several variants with so many cool tech features. Go for the Taycan Turbo S with a top speed of 260kph and it will take you a mere 2.8 seconds to go from zero to 100kph. Driving one is an experience on how Porsche cars will be like in the near future.

When the Taycan was introduced as the Mission E concept car, it was designed with a clear purpose in mind: to be an electric car that can provide performance, driving pleasure, and everyday comfort and usability. It seems that all the tick boxes have been checked and this could arguably be one of the best Porsche cars ever. The rest of the world seems to agree; it won the 2020 World Car Awards in both the 2020 World Luxury Car and 2020 World Performance Car categories.

Porsche AG CEO Oliver Blume says that its first production all-electric four-door sports car has been attracting robust demand globally. In fact, its original 2021 production capacity of 20,000 units was sold out in just the first half of the year.

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