Vios G AT, Honda City VX, Altis G MT and Elantra E MT

[JayPi.23]

Hi! I will be replacing my SUV with either a subcompact / compact car. I'm getting tired of using my Fort and I am already decided in replacing it with a smaller one. Also maintenance wise, I think it is cheaper with smaller vehicles. My budget should not exceed 900k so I'm considering the following: Vios G AT, Honda City VX, Altis G MT and Elantra E MT plus other suggestion??? I would like to stick with the segment above and must have a decent FC (atleast 8KMS/L in light to moderate traffic) and no major issue/s so far. Thanks

[Kestana]

Neither the Altis or Elantra even in MT will do real 8 km/l in moderate traffic. As for the Elantra, casa maintenance is really expensive from experience. My old i10's PMS costs were consistently more expensive than our Altis. It was ridiculous. If you want Korean but cheap maintenance, get a Kia. My Soul's maintenance has been very cheap so far. About as cheap or even cheaper than our Toyotas. Never went over 5 digits. My 22.5K km PMS was P6.6K and my 30K km PMS last week was P7.8K which already includes a bearing replacement (scheduled for 30K km). As for the Altis, can't really go wrong with it. However, you should remember that both the Altis and Elantra are actually wider than the Fortuner. May not be much different from the Fortuner if you want something that's easier to weave around traffic.

As for the Vios/Yaris, you'd still have trouble getting 8 km/l in moderate traffic with its 1.5 engine and archaic 4 speed AT. The City/Jazz should be able to do 8 km/l in moderate traffic since they use a CVT for the AT.

If you really want something fairly new, under P900K, very fuel efficient and easy to maintain, only Mitsubishi and Suzuki have what you're looking for. The Mirage G4 1.2 CVT and Ertiga 1.4 AT can do 9 to 10 km/l in moderate traffic. The Mirage G4 offers almost the same space and nearly as much tech as the City, but isn't as classy for obvious reasons. Much cheaper to buy and maintain too. The Ertiga is basically a compact MPV. Very comfy and easy to drive because its dimensions are deceptively small. Also, the K14B engine on the Ertiga is magically fuel efficient despite the 4 speed AT.

If you can stretch your budget further, the Mazda 3 1.5 Skyactiv at around P965K is very fuel efficient. Best in class. Arguably looks prettier than the Altis and Elantra too. But Mazda's casa maintenance isn't cheap. There's also the Kia Soul LX CRDi and I believe they're still offering a P50K discount at most branches which should take the price down to P970K. It's very fuel efficient and more spacious than either the Altis and Elantra. About as wide as the Altis and Elantra too, but not as long. And it's cheap to maintain.

[Stigg ma]

accent crdi add mo sa list?

[1D4LV]

my altis G M/T averages around 8 kpl in heavy traffic, 9.8 in moderate traffic, 10.5 in mixed city/highway traffic and around 11.5 in highway traffic....

best i got is 15 kpl in pure highway driving, minimum speed is 60 kph, maximum is 110 kph.... depends on how you shift and how you maximize the 6 speed manual tranny.

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my altis G M/T averages around 8 kpl in heavy traffic, 9.8 in moderate traffic, 10.5 in mixed city/highway traffic and around 11.5 in highway traffic....

best i got is 15 kpl in pure highway driving, minimum speed is 60 kph, maximum is 110 kph.... depends on how you shift and how you maximize the 6 speed manual tranny.

[JayPi.23]

my altis G M/T averages around 8 kpl in heavy traffic, 9.8 in moderate traffic, 10.5 in mixed city/highway traffic and around 11.5 in highway traffic....

best i got is 15 kpl in pure highway driving, minimum speed is 60 kph, maximum is 110 kph.... depends on how you shift and how you maximize the 6 speed manual tranny.

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my altis G M/T averages around 8 kpl in heavy traffic, 9.8 in moderate traffic, 10.5 in mixed city/highway traffic and around 11.5 in highway traffic....

best i got is 15 kpl in pure highway driving, minimum speed is 60 kph, maximum is 110 kph.... depends on how you shift and how you maximize the 6 speed manual tranny.

Good figures for the Altis! Would you also share if there are known issue/s for the current model? Or perhaps what are the "cons" of your ride? Thanks!

[jut703]

Neither the Altis or Elantra even in MT will do real 8 km/l in moderate traffic. As for the Elantra, casa maintenance is really expensive from experience. My old i10's PMS costs were consistently more expensive than our Altis. It was ridiculous. If you want Korean but cheap maintenance, get a Kia. My Soul's maintenance has been very cheap so far. About as cheap or even cheaper than our Toyotas. Never went over 5 digits. My 22.5K km PMS was P6.6K and my 30K km PMS last week was P7.8K which already includes a bearing replacement (scheduled for 30K km). As for the Altis, can't really go wrong with it. However, you should remember that both the Altis and Elantra are actually wider than the Fortuner. May not be much different from the Fortuner if you want something that's easier to weave around traffic.

As for the Vios/Yaris, you'd still have trouble getting 8 km/l in moderate traffic with its 1.5 engine and archaic 4 speed AT. The City/Jazz should be able to do 8 km/l in moderate traffic since they use a CVT for the AT.

If you really want something fairly new, under P900K, very fuel efficient and easy to maintain, only Mitsubishi and Suzuki have what you're looking for. The Mirage G4 1.2 CVT and Ertiga 1.4 AT can do 9 to 10 km/l in moderate traffic. The Mirage G4 offers almost the same space and nearly as much tech as the City, but isn't as classy for obvious reasons. Much cheaper to buy and maintain too. The Ertiga is basically a compact MPV. Very comfy and easy to drive because its dimensions are deceptively small. Also, the K14B engine on the Ertiga is magically fuel efficient despite the 4 speed AT.

If you can stretch your budget further, the Mazda 3 1.5 Skyactiv at around P965K is very fuel efficient. Best in class. Arguably looks prettier than the Altis and Elantra too. But Mazda's casa maintenance isn't cheap. There's also the Kia Soul LX CRDi and I believe they're still offering a P50K discount at most branches which should take the price down to P970K. It's very fuel efficient and more spacious than either the Altis and Elantra. About as wide as the Altis and Elantra too, but not as long. And it's cheap to maintain.

I don't know what Altis you own, but my Altis G MT does over 8 km/L in heavy city traffic (BGC rush hour). I have also done 20 km/L on the highway (maintaining 80 kph), and 16 km/L at 100 kph. That's with 18" rims and wider tires, if completely stock, you could do better in city driving.



One of our co-forumers here drives a City VX CVT and we pass similar routes daily. He gets roughly the same mileage as my Altis (8-ish km/L).

My officemate who has a Mz3 1.5 also gets just 8 km/L in the same C5 rush hour traffic I go through.

Also, from experience, the Altis is much, much easier to drive in the city than a Fortuner. Not as slim as a subcompact, but definitely has a better turning radius for parking, and being a sedan, is easier to point and shoot in traffic.

[Egan101]

If you're Ok driving an MT car, the Altis G M/T is a very good choice and best value for money for an all-round family car.

If you want a fun to drive car for 900k, the Fiesta Ecoboost is like a daily go kart. Unless you're too aggressive on acceleration and braking, FC will be around 9-10 km/L on city driving. It can do 20 km/L on the highway assuming you cruise at 80kmh doing less than 2000rpm. I have achieved 15 km/L averaging between 100-120 kmh. It is not as spacious as the City or Jazz or Vios but its driving dynamics and performance are much more than the rest of the competition.

[JayPi.23]

If you're Ok driving an MT car, the Altis G M/T is a very good choice and best value for money for an all-round family car.

If you want a fun to drive car for 900k, the Fiesta Ecoboost is like a daily go kart. Unless you're too aggressive on acceleration and braking, FC will be around 9-10 km/L on city driving. It can do 20 km/L on the highway assuming you cruise at 80kmh doing less than 2000rpm. I have achieved 15 km/L averaging between 100-120 kmh. It is not as spacious as the City or Jazz or Vios but its driving dynamics and performance are much more than the rest of the competition.

Thanks for the response. I also want the Fiesta Ecoboost but I guess it might not be suitable nor would look good for my age. If I'm at the mid 20's to early 30's will be getting this one or the Jazz.

[Kestana]

I don't know what Altis you own, but my Altis G MT does over 8 km/L in heavy city traffic (BGC rush hour). I have also done 20 km/L on the highway (maintaining 80 kph), and 16 km/L at 100 kph. That's with 18" rims and wider tires, if completely stock, you could do better in city driving.



One of our co-forumers here drives a City VX CVT and we pass similar routes daily. He gets roughly the same mileage as my Altis (8-ish km/L).

My officemate who has a Mz3 1.5 also gets just 8 km/L in the same C5 rush hour traffic I go through.

Also, from experience, the Altis is much, much easier to drive in the city than a Fortuner. Not as slim as a subcompact, but definitely has a better turning radius for parking, and being a sedan, is easier to point and shoot in traffic.

Had the 2009 Altis MT. Realistically never reaches 8 km/l per liter in moderate to heavy traffic. I manually compute my FC because the on-board FC reading is usually flat out wrong. Sure, the FC reading will read over 8 km/l, but after the trip after and spending 2 to 3 hours in traffic that day my FC computation figures in the 6 to 7 km/l range depending on how bad the traffic actually is. Not the first time I had an issue with a less than accurate FC reading by the on-board computer. Been suffering the same with my Soul and Swift, although it's a bit more opposite with these two as actual fuel consumption is usually better than the on-board FC meter would indicate.

Btw, I made a mistake with the width of the Fortuner. It's actually wider than an Altis still (72 in vs 70 in), but I've never really felt that the Altis was easier to drive around compared to our 2014 Sorento (and the many times I've driven a Montero and Fortuner) except when parking because of the length. Probably because it's a lot lower and I see less of the road.

If you want a fun to drive car for 900k, the Fiesta Ecoboost is like a daily go kart. Unless you're too aggressive on acceleration and braking, FC will be around 9-10 km/L on city driving. It can do 20 km/L on the highway assuming you cruise at 80kmh doing less than 2000rpm. I have achieved 15 km/L averaging between 100-120 kmh. It is not as spacious as the City or Jazz or Vios but its driving dynamics and performance are much more than the rest of the competition.

I've read more than a few cases of the Fiesta's EcoBoost engine having major issues down the line, mostly due to the turbo. Also, Ford's casa maintenance is extremely expensive and the Fiesta is quite cramped. Imo it's a hard sell at 900K unless a hot hatch for driving pleasure is specifically what the buyer is looking for. Btw in terms of driving dynamics and fun the Swift is more than a match for the non-EcoBoost Fiesta for less money. Was also considering the Fiesta before I got a Swift last month. Actually didn't mind the difference in sticker price, but was turned off by the cost of casa maintenance and heavier weight makes it less nimble and offsets the additional power by the larger 1.5 engine.

[jut703]

Had the 2009 Altis MT. Realistically never reaches 8 km/l per liter in moderate to heavy traffic. I manually compute my FC because the on-board FC reading is usually flat out wrong. Sure, the FC reading will read over 8 km/l, but after the trip after and spending 2 to 3 hours in traffic that day my FC computation figures in the 6 to 7 km/l range depending on how bad the traffic actually is. Not the first time I had an issue with a less than accurate FC reading by the on-board computer. Been suffering the same with my Soul and Swift, although it's a bit more opposite with these two as actual fuel consumption is usually better than the on-board FC meter would indicate.

Btw, I made a mistake with the width of the Fortuner. It's actually wider than an Altis still (72 in vs 70 in), but I've never really felt that the Altis was easier to drive around compared to our 2014 Sorento (and the many times I've driven a Montero and Fortuner) except when parking because of the length. Probably because it's a lot lower and I see less of the road.

The '09 Altis has the older 3ZZ engine, as well as the older 5MT. We had an '09 Altis as well, but the 2.0 with the 4AT. That was able to do 7 km/L in moderate city traffic, so 8 km/L with the 1.6 MT isn't extraordinary.

All my FC claims on this forum are also based on manual computations (hence the screenshot from my app). And I consistently get better than 8 km/L in city driving. All my measurements are over several hundred km, so variance vs MID is just around 2%.

[Egan101]

I've read more than a few cases of the Fiesta's EcoBoost engine having major issues down the line, mostly due to the turbo. Also, Ford's casa maintenance is extremely expensive and the Fiesta is quite cramped. Imo it's a hard sell at 900K unless a hot hatch for driving pleasure is specifically what the buyer is looking for. Btw in terms of driving dynamics and fun the Swift is more than a match for the non-EcoBoost Fiesta for less money. Was also considering the Fiesta before I got a Swift last month. Actually didn't mind the difference in sticker price, but was turned off by the cost of casa maintenance and heavier weight makes it less nimble and offsets the additional power by the larger 1.5 engine.

Ford's maintenance cost is just about the same as Honda so it is still acceptable. Not sure about issues with the Ecoboost turbo but so far no such things were discussed in FCP unlike the tranny issues of some 2011-2012 Fiestas. Not sure if it's a hard sell but most TOTL subcompacts are already priced about the same. Honda City/Jazz VX+ models are just insane in terms of pricing. However, for a 30k difference over the TOTL Fiesta 1.5L models, the Fiesta Ecoboost is a good upgrade as 30k will not buy you an engine mod to achieve similar torque figures.


*JayPi.23 - a budget of 1M will give you better options. Unless you're paying cash, a price difference of 100k thru Financing will not be that big of a difference in monthly loan payments. A compact is still a wise choice and most compacts are now within the 1M price.

[Kestana]

Ford's maintenance cost is just about the same as Honda so it is still acceptable.

Really? All I hear about from friends who bought Fords in the past few years is how expensive the casa is. P20K+ for the Ranger's PMS at 30K km is very expensive. Workmate also complained a few weeks back that his 2013 Focus cost P18K on his recent PMS. We've also had Civics before and they were pricey (especially because of the frequent suspension bushing replacements), but they cost nowhere near this much even if prices were adjusted for today's value.

* thread starter

Have you considered the Nissan Sylphy? The base MT model at P812K is fairly well equipped (ABS, EBD, dual airbags, stabilizers, etc). There's also a CVT-equipped model at P915K. It's the most spacious in its class afaik, although the interior and dashboard is very plain. The rear seats are very posh and have rear AC vents too. Don't know anyone who owns one though, but reviews say the CVT variant is very fuel efficient.

Edit: Just read the hilarious comments section of the Sylphy review at CarguidePh. They're labeling the Sylphy as the DOM's car of choice because "it's a compact with the amenities of a mid-sized sedan".

[JayPi.23]

Ford's maintenance cost is just about the same as Honda so it is still acceptable. Not sure about issues with the Ecoboost turbo but so far no such things were discussed in FCP unlike the tranny issues of some 2011-2012 Fiestas. Not sure if it's a hard sell but most TOTL subcompacts are already priced about the same. Honda City/Jazz VX+ models are just insane in terms of pricing. However, for a 30k difference over the TOTL Fiesta 1.5L models, the Fiesta Ecoboost is a good upgrade as 30k will not buy you an engine mod to achieve similar torque figures.


*JayPi.23 - a budget of 1M will give you better options. Unless you're paying cash, a price difference of 100k thru Financing will not be that big of a difference in monthly loan payments. A compact is still a wise choice and most compacts are now within the 1M price.

Will be paying it in cash since I'm going to sell my current vehicle and I believe that it is valued from 800 to 900K. I can extend it to 1M if it's really worth it. Do you have other suggestion?

[jut703]

Hi! I will be replacing my SUV with either a subcompact / compact car. I'm getting tired of using my Fort and I am already decided in replacing it with a smaller one. Also maintenance wise, I think it is cheaper with smaller vehicles. My budget should not exceed 900k so I'm considering the following: Vios G AT, Honda City VX, Altis G MT and Elantra E MT plus other suggestion??? I would like to stick with the segment above and must have a decent FC (atleast 8KMS/L in light to moderate traffic) and no major issue/s so far. Thanks

I was in a similar situation a few months back, and ended up with an Altis G MT.

My thoughts on your choices:

Vios G - at 880k (840k net of discounts), it's not really good value for money, especially if you consider that the City VX is priced the same but is a much better car. If you want a Vios, the 1.3E is the best value variant as it has almost everything the G has at just a little over 700k for the MT (after discounts). I did 7.5-10 km/L in city driving for my Vios E AT, and the manual should fare better.

City VX - at 890k (with occasional discounts of up to 30k), it's an expensive subcompact, but definitely the best all-rounder among all subcompacts. It's got impressive space - legroom is as good as the Altis, but elbow room is still lacking. It also has fancy features like push-button ignition, bluetooth connectivity, touch screen HU, an abundance of 12V sockets front and back, etc. But of course, at the end of the day, it's still a subcompact, and I'd rather get a compact for the same price.

Elantra E MT - gone are the days when Hyundais were good value for money. At 888k, the Elantra E is so bare - no foglamps, 15" rims, no aux/USB/iPod connectivity, no steering wheel controls, just 1 airbag, no ABS/EBD, manual airconditioning, no telescopic steering adjustment, no keyless entry, no 60/40 split rear seats, and so on. Heck, the base Altis E has more features. It's got a good engine, but a good engine alone isn't enough to make the Elantra E a good buy.

Altis G MT - gone are the days when the Altis was merely a safe and boring choice. It's actually really good value for money, and for most people, it's quite a looker. It has all the basic features that the Elantra doesn't have, though the City still has more fancy toys. However, what the City doesn't have is a larger cabin and a better ride. And of course, the Altis looks classier and is a notch above, as it's a compact vs the subcompact City. Maintenance is very cheap, as with most Toyotas. The Dual VVTi engine is quite a surprise too - good fuel economy but at the same time can get to 200 kph and has great power delivery throughout the rev range. The suspension is the same as before, but has been retuned to have less understeer and body roll.

Other cars I considered were the ff:

Mz3 1.5V - objectively, this is actually a great car. It looks wonderful, and has all the features of the Altis 1.6V at 50k less (Bluetooth, push-button, etc). Then there's free maintenance too. Handling and steering was great and this is really a fun car to drive. However, I really wasn't impressed with the power from the 1.5 Skyactiv. It's got good top-end power, but at under 4000 rpm it's pretty ho-hum, much like the older Hondas. Also, the 16" rims are too tiny for the body, and you'll really need to upgrade to the 18" OEM 2.0 rims to look decent, which adds to the cost. And though it seems really minor, I hate the digital tachometer. Digital speedos are fine, but I want my tach to have a needle instead of bars. Overall, the 1.5V feels like a shortchanged version of the 2.0, unlike in the Altis which feels like it was first designed as a 1.6, and the 2.0 was just added to have a big-engined range-topper. The Mz3 was at 965k, while the Altis was just 840k after discounts. I couldn't justify spending over 120k for the Mz3 when I could just get an Altis and spend a little for mods to make mine stand out.

Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost - it's got the best engine for any car under 1M (as good as the 2.0 compacts), and great handling to match. Has all the features that the City has too (push-button, Bluetooth, etc) plus voice control. This for me is the best subcompact actually. But at the end of the day, still a subcompact priced more expensive than a compact. If you're really after a small car, get this, but if you just want the best all-rounder sedan for your money, there are other options.

[JayPi.23]

I was in a similar situation a few months back, and ended up with an Altis G MT.

My thoughts on your choices:

Vios G - at 880k (840k net of discounts), it's not really good value for money, especially if you consider that the City VX is priced the same but is a much better car. If you want a Vios, the 1.3E is the best value variant as it has almost everything the G has at just a little over 700k for the MT (after discounts). I did 7.5-10 km/L in city driving for my Vios E AT, and the manual should fare better.

City VX - at 890k (with occasional discounts of up to 30k), it's an expensive subcompact, but definitely the best all-rounder among all subcompacts. It's got impressive space - legroom is as good as the Altis, but elbow room is still lacking. It also has fancy features like push-button ignition, bluetooth connectivity, touch screen HU, an abundance of 12V sockets front and back, etc. But of course, at the end of the day, it's still a subcompact, and I'd rather get a compact for the same price.

Elantra E MT - gone are the days when Hyundais were good value for money. At 888k, the Elantra E is so bare - no foglamps, 15" rims, no aux/USB/iPod connectivity, no steering wheel controls, just 1 airbag, no ABS/EBD, manual airconditioning, no telescopic steering adjustment, no keyless entry, no 60/40 split rear seats, and so on. Heck, the base Altis E has more features. It's got a good engine, but a good engine alone isn't enough to make the Elantra E a good buy.

Altis G MT - gone are the days when the Altis was merely a safe and boring choice. It's actually really good value for money, and for most people, it's quite a looker. It has all the basic features that the Elantra doesn't have, though the City still has more fancy toys. However, what the City doesn't have is a larger cabin and a better ride. And of course, the Altis looks classier and is a notch above, as it's a compact vs the subcompact City. Maintenance is very cheap, as with most Toyotas. The Dual VVTi engine is quite a surprise too - good fuel economy but at the same time can get to 200 kph and has great power delivery throughout the rev range. The suspension is the same as before, but has been retuned to have less understeer and body roll.

Other cars I considered were the ff:

Mz3 1.5V - objectively, this is actually a great car. It looks wonderful, and has all the features of the Altis 1.6V at 50k less (Bluetooth, push-button, etc). Then there's free maintenance too. Handling and steering was great and this is really a fun car to drive. However, I really wasn't impressed with the power from the 1.5 Skyactiv. It's got good top-end power, but at under 4000 rpm it's pretty ho-hum, much like the older Hondas. Also, the 16" rims are too tiny for the body, and you'll really need to upgrade to the 18" OEM 2.0 rims to look decent, which adds to the cost. And though it seems really minor, I hate the digital tachometer. Digital speedos are fine, but I want my tach to have a needle instead of bars. Overall, the 1.5V feels like a shortchanged version of the 2.0, unlike in the Altis which feels like it was first designed as a 1.6, and the 2.0 was just added to have a big-engined range-topper. The Mz3 was at 965k, while the Altis was just 840k after discounts. I couldn't justify spending over 120k for the Mz3 when I could just get an Altis and spend a little for mods to make mine stand out.

Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost - it's got the best engine for any car under 1M (as good as the 2.0 compacts), and great handling to match. Has all the features that the City has too (push-button, Bluetooth, etc) plus voice control. This for me is the best subcompact actually. But at the end of the day, still a subcompact priced more expensive than a compact. If you're really after a small car, get this, but if you just want the best all-rounder sedan for your money, there are other options.

Well explained. Might remove the Vios G AT in my list. For the City VX, it looks respectable to me plus as you've mentioned, lot's of other advanced features. For the space, I don't have passengers in my daily trip so not a big issue at all.
The Elantra, I liked it before, looks sporty and decent to me but when I've read about the expensive PMS, might remove this as well.
With the Altis, i liked the FC figures posted plus I'm sure that the maintenance cost wouldn't be a burden. So it might be between the Altis and City. Are there other factors to consider? I don't drive fast and maybe I would also like to hear on the comfort side between the two. Appreciate your response.

[jut703]

Well explained. Might remove the Vios G AT in my list. For the City VX, it looks respectable to me plus as you've mentioned, lot's of other advanced features. For the space, I don't have passengers in my daily trip so not a big issue at all.
The Elantra, I liked it before, looks sporty and decent to me but when I've read about the expensive PMS, might remove this as well.
With the Altis, i liked the FC figures posted plus I'm sure that the maintenance cost wouldn't be a burden. So it might be between the Altis and City. Are there other factors to consider? I don't drive fast and maybe I would also like to hear on the comfort side between the two. Appreciate your response.

Between the Altis and the City, as cast_no_shadow mentioned, the question really is - do you want a fully-loaded subcompact, or a mid-level compact?

Personally, I want the most upscale-looking car for my budget. At this price range, the Altis definitely looks more executive, more commanding, and more appealing than the City.

But more than just looks and presence, going for the Altis also has the following advantages:

* More space - simply put, the bigger car has a more cavernous interior. It also has a bigger trunk, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats if you ever need to haul large/long items.

* Better ride comfort - in city driving, the Altis exhibits better insulation from outside noise, and stays more composed when going through ruts and potholes. The City has improved greatly in terms of its ride comfort compared to the old City, but the Altis is still on a different level. On the highway, the narrow profile of the City combined with its skinny 185/55R16 tires make it less stable and more prone to crosswinds compared to the wider Altis with fatter 205/55R16 tires.

As already discussed, the biggest advantage of the City over the Altis is that the former has more toys. Specifically, it's got the following features that the Altis doesn't have:

- Touch screen audio and aircon controls
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Smartphone mirroring on the head unit
- Push-button ignition
- 3 12V sockets vs just 1 on the Altis
- Backup camera

To be fair, the Altis also has some features that the City doesn't have. Not as fancy, but could be important to you as well:

- 60/40 split rear seats
- Full size spare tire (City only has a donut)
- Larger fuel tank (55L vs 40L) for less fillups during long drives
- 6 speakers (vs 4 on the City)
- An actual temperature gauge (vs just a warning light on the City)
- Rear armrest with 2 cupholders

Aside from features, the City also has the advantage of being easier to squeeze through tight traffic or small parking spaces because it's a narrower car. Then of course, there's the advantage that the City VX is a CVT which is much more comfortable to drive in heavy traffic compared to the MT Altis G.

And while you don't drive fast, you should still note that the engines of these cars are quite different, even if they have roughly the same power output (City has 120 ps, Altis has 122).

The City has very little grunt in the lower rev range (1000-3000 rpm), but still enough to putter around town. If you need brisk acceleration, you'll have to put your foot down and increase the revs to 5000 rpm and up to maximize the power of the car. With just 1,100 kg, the City is actually fast when pushed to its redline.

The Altis, on the other hand, feels much peppier from a standstill, even at lower rpms. It has a flatter powerband; no Jekyll-and-Hyde transformations when transitioning to the higher rev range, just constant torque and power as you floor the pedal. Fuel consumption is roughly the same for the two cars.

Ultimately, you'll have to weigh what criteria matters to you most. But you can't really go wrong with either car as both are good all-rounders.

[JayPi.23]

Between the Altis and the City, as cast_no_shadow mentioned, the question really is - do you want a fully-loaded subcompact, or a mid-level compact?

Personally, I want the most upscale-looking car for my budget. At this price range, the Altis definitely looks more executive, more commanding, and more appealing than the City.

But more than just looks and presence, going for the Altis also has the following advantages:

* More space - simply put, the bigger car has a more cavernous interior. It also has a bigger trunk, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats if you ever need to haul large/long items.

* Better ride comfort - in city driving, the Altis exhibits better insulation from outside noise, and stays more composed when going through ruts and potholes. The City has improved greatly in terms of its ride comfort compared to the old City, but the Altis is still on a different level. On the highway, the narrow profile of the City combined with its skinny 185/55R16 tires make it less stable and more prone to crosswinds compared to the wider Altis with fatter 205/55R16 tires.

As already discussed, the biggest advantage of the City over the Altis is that the former has more toys. Specifically, it's got the following features that the Altis doesn't have:

- Touch screen audio and aircon controls
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Smartphone mirroring on the head unit
- Push-button ignition
- 3 12V sockets vs just 1 on the Altis
- Backup camera

To be fair, the Altis also has some features that the City doesn't have. Not as fancy, but could be important to you as well:

- 60/40 split rear seats
- Full size spare tire (City only has a donut)
- Larger fuel tank (55L vs 40L) for less fillups during long drives
- 6 speakers (vs 4 on the City)
- An actual temperature gauge (vs just a warning light on the City)
- Rear armrest with 2 cupholders

Aside from features, the City also has the advantage of being easier to squeeze through tight traffic or small parking spaces because it's a narrower car. Then of course, there's the advantage that the City VX is a CVT which is much more comfortable to drive in heavy traffic compared to the MT Altis G.

And while you don't drive fast, you should still note that the engines of these cars are quite different, even if they have roughly the same power output (City has 120 ps, Altis has 122).

The City has very little grunt in the lower rev range (1000-3000 rpm), but still enough to putter around town. If you need brisk acceleration, you'll have to put your foot down and increase the revs to 5000 rpm and up to maximize the power of the car. With just 1,100 kg, the City is actually fast when pushed to its redline.

The Altis, on the other hand, feels much peppier from a standstill, even at lower rpms. It has a flatter powerband; no Jekyll-and-Hyde transformations when transitioning to the higher rev range, just constant torque and power as you floor the pedal. Fuel consumption is roughly the same for the two cars.

Ultimately, you'll have to weigh what criteria matters to you most. But you can't really go wrong with either car as both are good all-rounders.

Thanks Jut! I cannot answer that for now but based on what you've pointed, Altis will be a better pick. I may not be needing those added features that the City has except for the reverse camera which is very helpful in parking at night. This will be my first choice for now. Any known issues with the current Altis? I know that there is this "warranty" but just making sure.

Lastly, your thoughts / insight with the Kia Forte? Vs. the Altis, what I can think of is the resale value later on. I normally buy a new vehicle after 4 to 5 yrs of ownership.

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Between the Altis and the City, as cast_no_shadow mentioned, the question really is - do you want a fully-loaded subcompact, or a mid-level compact?

Personally, I want the most upscale-looking car for my budget. At this price range, the Altis definitely looks more executive, more commanding, and more appealing than the City.

But more than just looks and presence, going for the Altis also has the following advantages:

* More space - simply put, the bigger car has a more cavernous interior. It also has a bigger trunk, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats if you ever need to haul large/long items.

* Better ride comfort - in city driving, the Altis exhibits better insulation from outside noise, and stays more composed when going through ruts and potholes. The City has improved greatly in terms of its ride comfort compared to the old City, but the Altis is still on a different level. On the highway, the narrow profile of the City combined with its skinny 185/55R16 tires make it less stable and more prone to crosswinds compared to the wider Altis with fatter 205/55R16 tires.

As already discussed, the biggest advantage of the City over the Altis is that the former has more toys. Specifically, it's got the following features that the Altis doesn't have:

- Touch screen audio and aircon controls
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Smartphone mirroring on the head unit
- Push-button ignition
- 3 12V sockets vs just 1 on the Altis
- Backup camera

To be fair, the Altis also has some features that the City doesn't have. Not as fancy, but could be important to you as well:

- 60/40 split rear seats
- Full size spare tire (City only has a donut)
- Larger fuel tank (55L vs 40L) for less fillups during long drives
- 6 speakers (vs 4 on the City)
- An actual temperature gauge (vs just a warning light on the City)
- Rear armrest with 2 cupholders

Aside from features, the City also has the advantage of being easier to squeeze through tight traffic or small parking spaces because it's a narrower car. Then of course, there's the advantage that the City VX is a CVT which is much more comfortable to drive in heavy traffic compared to the MT Altis G.

And while you don't drive fast, you should still note that the engines of these cars are quite different, even if they have roughly the same power output (City has 120 ps, Altis has 122).

The City has very little grunt in the lower rev range (1000-3000 rpm), but still enough to putter around town. If you need brisk acceleration, you'll have to put your foot down and increase the revs to 5000 rpm and up to maximize the power of the car. With just 1,100 kg, the City is actually fast when pushed to its redline.

The Altis, on the other hand, feels much peppier from a standstill, even at lower rpms. It has a flatter powerband; no Jekyll-and-Hyde transformations when transitioning to the higher rev range, just constant torque and power as you floor the pedal. Fuel consumption is roughly the same for the two cars.

Ultimately, you'll have to weigh what criteria matters to you most. But you can't really go wrong with either car as both are good all-rounders.

Thanks Jut! I cannot answer that for now but based on what you've pointed, Altis will be a better pick. I may not be needing those added features that the City has except for the reverse camera which is very helpful in parking at night. This will be my first choice for now. Any known issues with the current Altis? I know that there is this "warranty" but just making sure.

Lastly, your thoughts / insight with the Kia Forte? Vs. the Altis, what I can think of is the resale value later on. I normally buy a new vehicle after 4 to 5 yrs of ownership.

[jut703]

Thanks Jut! I cannot answer that for now but based on what you've pointed, Altis will be a better pick. I may not be needing those added features that the City has except for the reverse camera which is very helpful in parking at night. This will be my first choice for now. Any known issues with the current Altis? I know that there is this "warranty" but just making sure.

Lastly, your thoughts / insight with the Kia Forte? Vs. the Altis, what I can think of is the resale value later on. I normally buy a new vehicle after 4 to 5 yrs of ownership.

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Thanks Jut! I cannot answer that for now but based on what you've pointed, Altis will be a better pick. I may not be needing those added features that the City has except for the reverse camera which is very helpful in parking at night. This will be my first choice for now. Any known issues with the current Altis? I know that there is this "warranty" but just making sure.

Lastly, your thoughts / insight with the Kia Forte? Vs. the Altis, what I can think of is the resale value later on. I normally buy a new vehicle after 4 to 5 yrs of ownership.

You can always add front and rear parking sensors as a cheap upgrade for the Altis (mine came free from the dealership, complete with a 1 year warranty).

There aren't any widespread issues with the Altis, despite being out for over a year now, and with tens of thousands of owners.

Personally though, I've had instances wherein my aircon takes a long time (several seconds to a few minutes) before the compressor turns on and pumps out cool air. It happens whenever I leave my car in hot open parking. Not sure if it's a defect, but I've raised it during my 5000 km PMS, and Toyota Global City gladly took note of it and committed that if the problem persists and becomes chronic, they will fix it under warranty, absolutely free of charge. I'm not too worried about it, since 99% of the time the aircon works very well and is actually very chilly.

As for the Forte - it's not actually that old of a car. It was released globally in 2014, and we got it just a year late. I like its styling, and the 965k Forte sedan looks to be at par with the 1.014M Altis 1.6V in terms of features. The engine (shared with the Elantra) is actually good - decent power and fairly efficient. I haven't driven the Forte though so I can't comment on the handling and ride comfort yet.

Of course, the perennial problem is the brand - at the end of the day, most people still see Kia as subpar compared to Toyota. It will definitely have a lower resale value than the Altis. It will also be more difficult to source parts outside the dealership. Ultimately, if you don't mind the brand, the Forte is actually a very attractive left-field choice to the common Altis and Mazda 3.

[GTi]

Not considering the Accent CRDi? If gas mileage is a primary consideration, this is the one to have. It still wins in total fuel cost even if any of the abovementioned models actually manage to match it in terms of km/L. Which Fortuner variant do you have? If it's the 2.5, you may find your daily fuel costs higher if you opt for the 1.5/1.6 gasoline sedans.

Among the choices, I'd go for the Altis. Similar fuel consumption as most 1.5L subcompacts whole having more space and a more upscale look. Resale value is rock solid and you will never have problems with parts and maintenance.

[Egan101]

Thanks for the response. I also want the Fiesta Ecoboost but I guess it might not be suitable nor would look good for my age. If I'm at the mid 20's to early 30's will be getting this one or the Jazz.

I was in my 20s back when grunge bands ruled the airwaves and folks outside of UP just came to appreciate the music of Eraserheads. The music of Red Hot Chili Peppers still get my blood pumped up and it makes my daily ride with my little-engine-that-could less boring. Test drive the Fiesta Ecoboost and you will be surprised how much its small turbo engine can deliver. If you're the type who prefers a responsive car and a sporty drive, no other car priced below 1M can deliver a better package than this neat hatchback from Ford. If only the Fiesta ST is available here, I wonder how much more fun it can deliver with its more powerful 1.6L turbo engine (197hp).

Will be paying it in cash since I'm going to sell my current vehicle and I believe that it is valued from 800 to 900K. I can extend it to 1M if it's really worth it. Do you have other suggestion?

For a 1M budget and a good choice for an all-around family car, it will be a toss-up between the base Mazda3, Altis 1.6V, or the Sylphy 1.8V. Mazda3 for its looks and new technology, Sylphy for its space and creature comforts, while the Altis 1.6V is an all-around performer but neither of them could provide a sport-oriented drive. The Focus 1.6L Trend is a decent choice and it has the goods but it does not offer much for its price (998k) and it is a bit overweight. I'd like to include the Honda Civic 1.8S as it offers a decent power-to-weight ratio (lightest car among the compacts) and acceptable FC but it looks bare inside compared to the initial 3 options. The Civic FB (2012-onwards) has lost its sporty character compared to the older Civic FD (2006-2011). The Lancer GT-A is now sold at less than 1M but it is an old platform (7 years old) but it's a good bargain as it was priced at 1.2M before. The Lancer GT-A has aged well and its looks still has that presence of a sporty compact.

Just go out to the different dealers and check out the models. Take the cars for a test drive and then choose. The right choice will be the one that makes you enjoy driving it everyday.