Whether we admit or not, we Filipinos have a love afiar with large vehicles like the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Blame it on colonial mentality or wantting to feel in command out on the road.
But did you know that rather than driving a tall SUV, it may actually be quite cool to get around in a mini-compact? Cars like the Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Wigo, or Kia Picanto come to mind. While many may scoff at the thought of being bullied in a bottom-budget offering, there are a few valid reasons why driving around in a small car isn't so bad.
For one, the size makes it oh-so-easy to get around our cramped city streets. If ever you've been to Europe, you'd probably notice that these little cars are all over the place. That's because the cramped environs neciesitate getting around in a city car.
Apart from getting arond, parking is definitely a breeze. You can pactically stuff this thing into a janitor's closet if you have to. But seriously, it only takes a few turns of the steering whel to slot into a parking space. Les hassle, right?
Then there is fuel efficiency. With gas prices going up every now and then, less frequent trips to the pump sounds rather tempting, don;t you think? The small engine, such as a 1.2-liter three cylinder in the Mirage or a 1.0-liter for the Wigo, as well as an even smaller gas tank equates to really thrifty numbers. You can have more money for other stuff besides gas.
For those concerned about passenger and cargo space, you will be pleasantly surprised that these cars offer rather decent quarters despite their smallish footprint. Sure, they don't exactly serve up as much room as an SUV. But how much room do you actually need. Unless you really need the space, this should be more than enough for the daily commute.
And no, these cars arent the bare-bones misers they used to be. Today;s minis have touchscreen infotainment systems, HID or even LED headlights, and other creature comforts. The Mitsu even gets a pushbutton starter. Pretty neat, huh?
While we have nothing against SUVs, driving a small car isn't such a bad thing these days. In fact, it may even be cool, what with our horrible traffic. Jsut saying. a
