6 Safest Cars in the Philippines for under ₱600k

It may sound unbelievable, but it is possible to get a safer car for under ₱600,000 in the Philippines. Despite knowing that expensive cars (like top-of-the-line luxury sedans and SUVS) with hi-tech safety features are considered the safest cars on the road, it’s possible to spend less without skimping on advanced safety features.

Automart.Ph has compiled a list of the 6 safest cars you can buy and rounded up the ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) scores of vehicles in our used car lots all over the Philippines. The ASEAN NCAP ratings program offers two assessment levels in determining the safety merits of a particular vehicle: Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (CPO).

The average AOP score represents the star rating, while the COP score is a percentage-based rating. After which, we came up with a list of six practical cars that offer better overall safety without breaking the elusive ₱600k price barrier.

Without further ado, here are 6 of the safest cars in the Philippines you can buy for under ₱600,000.

The 6 Safest Cars that Won’t Break the Bank

1. Toyota Vios

The Toyota Vios needs no introduction. It’s safe to say you can find a Vios on every street corner in Metro Manila, but that would be a terrible understatement. The Toyota Vios has taken the entire country by storm, and it’s easy to see why.

First off, it’s a Toyota, so spare parts are reasonable and abundant. The Vios has also inherited Toyota’s penchant for durability and reliability, proven by many first-gen and second-gen Vios models still on the road today.

As it turns out, the third-gen Toyota Vios is one of the safest compact sedans on the road, and you can get it for under ₱600,000 at Automart.ph! The Toyota Vios has a five-star rating in Adult Occupant Protection and 21.66-percent in Child Occupant Protection.

The latest Vios initially arrived in 2018 with seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, and a hill-start assist feature. Toyota unveiled the Vios XLE in 2019 with three airbags and a lower price.

2. MG ZS

Just in time for our top 6 safest cars list, ASEAN NCAP completed testing the MG ZS in December of 2020, and it got a five-star AOP safety rating and 20.90-percent in COP. Manufactured by Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor under the Morris Garages (MG) name, the ZS crossover first debuted in China in 2017.

The MG ZS slowly became a hit with Pinoy buyers by offering good looks, adequate space, and an affordable price. The 2021 MG ZS starts at ₱818,000 and tops out at under ₱1M for the top-tier AT Alpha variant.

However, you can get a used or repossessed MG ZS with low mileage and a fresh interior for under ₱600,000 if you shop at Automart.ph. The MG ZS has up to six airbags, traction control, cornering brake control, and anti-lock brakes in its array of top-class safety features.

3. Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mitsubishi Mirage is also a popular choice for Pinoys who want a fuel-sipping, affordable, spacious, and reliable city car. I’m currently driving an early model 2014 Mirage G4 GLX with manual rear windows and 180,000 kilometers (and counting) on the odometer, and it’s a surprisingly reliable and comfy daily driver.

I also test drove the restyled Mirage Hatchback in 2017. The Mirage G4 and Hatchback models are mechanically identical, but I found the hatch to be a nimbler handler than the G4. And despite its affordable price tag, I find it impressive the Mirage got four out of five stars in AOP and 43-percent in COP from ASEAN NCAP.

Whether you prefer the Mirage G4 sedan or Mirage Hatchback, both body styles have a reinforced chassis and dual front airbags for added peace of mind. The Mirage is one of Automart’s best selling practicars, and you can get one for less than ₱600,000 or even lower!

4. Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift is a stylish and peppy hatchback. It’s also one of the best-handling compact cars for the money. The third-generation Suzuki Swift arrived in the Philippines in 2017, but the first-gen model made a more significant impact after debuting in 2005.

The Swift got four stars in AOP and an impressive 77-percent in COP in ASEAN NCAP testing. The Swift has two airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and three-point seatbelts for all five passengers.

5. Nissan Almera

The Nissan Almera is a slightly bigger subcompact with impressive levels of interior space and cargo room. The Almera is also a popular choice for repossessed car buyers at Automart.ph, and it’s easy to see why.

The Nissan Almera’s pricing will make you think twice about purchasing a Toyota Vios or Mitsubishi Mirage, and you get a marginally bigger vehicle in return. As a bonus, the Almera got four out of five stars in AOP and 52-percent in COP from ASEAN NCAP. The Almera has two airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with EBD, and seatbelts all around for added safety.

6. Suzuki Ciaz

Rounding up our list of the 6 safest cars for under ₱600,000 is the Suzuki Ciaz. The Ciaz is a supersized subcompact sedan like the Nissan Almera, and it offers more interior room and 510-liters of cargo space in the trunk, all while costing under ₱600,000 or lower if you shop at Automart.ph.

The Suzuki Ciaz got four out of five stars in AOP and 37-percent COP in ASEAN NCAP testing. The Ciaz has dual airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with EBD, and front seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters for an added dose of safety.

Wrapping Up

Safety should be one of your top priorities in choosing an affordable car.  It pays to do your own research before commiting to buy one. Whether it’s a Mitsubishi Mirage, Toyota Vios, or Suzuki Ciaz, you should choose a car that matches your needs and one that gets the highest possible marks for safety. At Automart.ph, there are many safe vehicles to choose from.