Off-road vehicles offer convenience in these times, especially SUVs that give ample space for your family and cargos whenever you travel. If you want to get an compact crossover through auto loan or direct purchase, better check this list of the best alternative SUVs from smaller brands.

Chery Tiggo 5X

Chery Tiggo 5X is a compact crossover with promising sales. The model boasts heightened security features and design influenced by European style. Its price is suitable for those who want an SUV in a budget-friendly range.

Features of Tiggo 5X

Aside from the signature grille of Chery, Tiggo 5X has the following features:

• Enhanced look with halogen projector headlamps, fog lamps, and DRLs, molds, bulky tailgate, LED taillights, and roof rails
• Chrome-plated decoration and gullwing leather steering wheel complemented with a 9-inch infotainment system and Apple CarPlay
• All variants have a 1.5L gasoline engine with 5-speed manual/CVT, producing 114 horsepower and 141 Newton meter torque
• Suitable for both on- and off-road rides with its dual driving modes

Is Chery Tiggo 5X a good car?

Based on the reviews, the advantages of the car are the following:

• Spacious interior partnered with modern equipment and soft-touch surfaces
• Soft surfaces and comfortable
• Light steering but has great engine performance

On the other hand, here are the cons:

• less appealing look
• heavier causing a slow acceleration
• struggling 1.5-liter engine on the highway

How much does Chery Tiggo 5X cost?

It ranges from ₱818,000 to ₱950,000

 

Geely CoolRay

Geely Coolray is a subcompact crossover popular for its stylish appearance and the comfort that its cabin offers. It also attracts a lot of car buyers because of its affordability, and along its features, it created a niche amid the automotive market in the Philippines.

Features of CoolRay

Here are the highlights of Coolray that you should check out:

• Variants come in three (Comfort, Sport, Premium) and all of these have a single-engine option
• The sporty appearance of the car boasts sharp character, roof-integrated spoiler, grille resembling a diamond, and LED headlights and DRLS.
• 1.5 turbocharged gasoline engine that generates 177 horsepower and 255 Newton-meter (torque)
• A transmission of 7-speed wet dual-clutch
• The cabin offers enough space with equipment such as a 10.25-inch infotainment system and a 7-inch LCD instrument console.
• It also has a 360-degree camera view, brake assist, and a set of airbags (dual front, side, and curtain).

Is Geely CoolRay a good car?

Public reviews have listed these following pros:

• smart design and durable build
• affordable blessed with dynamic performance
• roomy cabin and modernized features
• 5-year warranty

However, cons are the following:

• absence of AC vents in the rear
• moderately bouncy ride
• dull exterior look

How much is Geely CoolRay in the Philippines?

CoolRay ranges from P978,000 to P1,198,000.

 

SsangYong Tivoli

The Korean-made Tivoli is singled out among other similar models due to the simplicity and elegance of the exterior design. Its character lines exude a strong presence when passing through a road.

Features of Tivoli

Let us look at the character of SsangYong’s Tivoli:

• Redesigned car interior for the diesel variant dives into gray theme with leather seats
• Powered by 1.6L engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that produces 136 Ps and 324 Nm torque
• Installed with 3-spoke steering wheel, larger infotainment system, wireless connectivity, 6-speaker audio system, and dual-zone automatic control

Is SsangYong Tivoli a good car?

Car reviews describe this car good through the following factors:

• handsome interior design paired with spacious cabin and cargo
• Easy steering and vigorous performance
• Efficient with fuel, particularly at higher speeds

Some of its cons, however, are the following:

• Too high trunk lip
• Hard plastic as cabin materials
• Priced higher compared with similar models

How much does SsangYong Tivoli cost?

Price ranges between ₱1,130,000 to ₱1,290,000

 

MG ZS

MG ZS is a compact SUV that has earned glowing reviews from independent automotive critics. It is praised with its standard features, despite of affordability, and also its Chinese origins.

Features of MG ZS

• Exceptional interior styling with its spacious cabin and panoramic roof
• Subtle cabin holes, bumps, and imperfections
• Powered by a spritely in-line 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol unit, and 6-speed automatic transmission
• Quiet driving

Is MG ZS a good car?

The good factors of MG ZS according to the reviews are:

• Smooth performance via its agile 3-pot turbo engine
• Reasonably well equipped
• Sharply priced with a 7-year warranty

Meanwhile, the disadvantages pointed are the following:

• Absence of digital speedo
• Noisy aircon compressor

How much does MG ZS cost?

Price ranges from P818,888 to P998,888.  P818,888 and tops off at P998,888

 

BAIC BJ20

BAIC BJ20 is a recent offering from the manufacturer to the compact SUV segment and automotive market. Its distinctive appearance is boxy and rugged with modern interior equipment.

Features of BJ20

• Powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline mill that pushes out 147hp and 210Nm (torque) mated to CVT
• DRLs doubling as turn signal lights, automatic LED headlamps, and puddle lights on the auto-folding mirrors
• 8-inch rim with red brake calipers and 215mm ground clearance
• The cabin has a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the screen doubles as the display of proximity sensors and rearview camera

Is BAIC a good car?

These are the things commendable about BJ20:

• Spacious cabin and offers a comfortable ride
• Exceptional design and styling
• Equipped with standard features
• Good value for its price

On the other hand, these are the drawbacks:

• CVT is a weak point
• Door lock indicators are missing
• No off-road capabilities

How much does BAIC BJ20 cost?

Price ranges from ₱1,148,000 to ₱1,288,000.

Final Thought

There are smaller players in the car manufacturing industry that you should know about. This list are only but a few of the top alternative SUVs that we have gathered from our own research. If you are considering buying one of these SUVs listed above but lack enough cash, GDFI has the right loan product for you.