If you’re buying a new car, we bet you will want to know what people consider to be the very best in the Philippine automotive market right now. Specifically, you may want to find out what motoring journalists think about new models—assuming, of course, you still believe mainstream media. We say this because, well, it seems many individuals have bought the claims of murderous demagogues that the press cannot be trusted.

Whatever it is that you put your faith in as far as car-buying advice is concerned, we’re here to share with you the results of the 2004-2025 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards, an annual tribute to the market’s best vehicles according to car journalists gathered by the TV show.

Vehicles are basically divided into two groups: Premium/Luxury and Standard. They are judged in four categories: Design, Engine Performance, Safety Features, and Value for Money.

Here are the awardees:

PREMIUM/LUXURY

Best Design

• Audi RS e-Tron GT (Large Sedan)
• Lexus LBX (Mini/Subcompact SUV/Crossover)
• Audi Q8 e-Tron (Large SUV/Crossover)
• Toyota Alphard (Van)

Best Engine Performance

• Audi RS3 (Subcompact Sedan)
• BMW 5-Series (Midsize Sedan)
• Porsche 911 (Sports Car)
• Lexus LBX (Mini/Subcompact SUV/Crossover)
• BMW iX (Midsize SUV/Crossover)
• Toyota Alphard (Van)

Best Safety Features

• BMW 5-Series (Midsize Sedan)
• Volvo S90 (Large Sedan)
• Lexus LBX (Mini/Subcompact SUV/Crossover)
• Toyota Alphard (Van)

Best Value for Money

• Lexus ES/ESh (Midsize Sedan)
• Hyundai Ioniq 6 (Large Sedan)
• Lexus LBX (Mini/Subcompact SUV/Crossover)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Compact SUV/Crossover)
• Lexus GX (Midsize SUV/Crossover)
• Toyota Alphard (Van)

STANDARD

Best Design

• JAC Ytterby (Mini Hatchback)
• Honda Civic (Compact Sedan)
• Mazda 6 Sports Wagon (Midsize Sedan)
• Nissan Z (Sports Car)
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Large SUV/Crossover)
• Hyundai Staria (Van)
• Mitsubishi Triton (Pickup)

Best Engine Performance

• Honda Brio (Mini Hatchback)
• Honda Civic (Compact Sedan)
• Toyota Camry (Midsize Sedan)
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Large SUV/Crossover)
• Hyundai Staria (Van)
• Isuzu D-Max (Pickup)

Best Safety Features

• Honda Brio (Mini Hatchback)
• Honda Civic (Compact Sedan)
• BYD Han (Midsize Sedan)
• Honda Civic Type R (Sports Car)
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (Large SUV/Crossover)
• Hyundai Staria (Van)

Best Value for Money

• Honda Brio (Mini Hatchback)
• GAC Empow (Compact Sedan)
• BYD Han (Midsize Sedan)
• Honda Civic Type R (Sports Car)
• Hyundai Staria/Toyota Hiace (Van)
• Isuzu D-Max (Pickup)

“How the car industry has significantly evolved over the past two years has been truly amazing,” says Sunshine TV (Auto Focus producer) 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 features that provide online connectivity and key vehicle and travel information. With such numerous choices and options available, we believe the learned selection of the motoring media, as reflected in the AFMCA results, can serve as a useful guide for the car-buying public to make wiser and well-informed decisions.”

Do these choices match yours? Feel free to share your own picks in the comments section.