Have you ever wondered what riding a PhP 25-million car feels like? Obviously, only a scant handful of people would ever dream about (or, much less, own) such a car. And, if you’re one of the few who have one, you would probably treat it like a baby. Well, that’s not what the Land Rover Defender OCTA, which is a PhP 25-million car itself, wants you to do.

I learned this firsthand when I spent a day with the Defender and the Defender OCTA. Far more than a simple driving test, the day showed off what the car can do under more extreme circumstances.

Under more controlled conditions

As much as I would have loved to find the Defender’s limit myself, the multi-million-peso price tag was just too much to swallow. So, I went with Land Rover’s more controlled tracks and experience to check out the capabilities of the offroad-focused vehicle.

First up were a series of artificial slopes and an elevating ramp. Now, going on offroad trails is fun; actual emergencies, however, are not. While Land Rover is naturally unable to manufacture an emergency, a series of humps that tilt the car 20 to 30 degrees to its side is a close enough estimate. Another, a series of alternating humps, lift one or two wheels of the ground. Finally, the ramp lifts the entire car up by its rear.

Though a mere blip in Land Rover’s extensive suite of offroad modes, the Mud Ruts mode is an essential part of the Defender’s toolkit to guide the car through uneven, slippery terrain. For other situations, the Defender also has Grass/Gravel/Snow Mode, Sand Mode, Rock Crawl Mode, Wade Mode, and Auto Mode.

But enough of the technicals for now. The Defender thrives on doing the work for you. All you have to do is point it in the right direction and apply a bit of power. The car pushes by itself. While us humans fear the unnatural feeling of having wheels off the ground, the Defender does this with ease. It was the face of stoicism.

Much of the same happened with the admittedly frightening ramp. Though we were suspended at a perilous angle, the Defender looked like an adrenaline junkie who can just ride a roller coaster with a straight face. Its powerful Hill Descent Control kept its wheels stuck to the ramp.

Now on the trail

Artificial circumstances are all well and good, but how about real-life situations? For that, we took the Defender to an offroad track made especially for the car.

Now, to be fair, yes, it was a customized trail that had little risk of unexpected incidents. But it was rugged enough to be a representation of what you might encounter in the real world. We went through rough roads, more realistic descents, and the occasional stream of water.

We also had a qualified instructor with us, but getting what you need from the car is as easy as flipping a switch. Just as in the artificial obstacle course, the offroad trail was something that the car can handle on its own.

In the likelier event that you don’t have an instructor with you, the Defender can offer all the information you might need to get past an obstacle. As I’ve said, the car can do the work for you, but it’s not an unseen force that does the talking. Among all the cars that I’ve tried with similar features, the Defender has the most comprehensive assortment of displays, including pitch, roll, and bank angle. It also has an impressive series of cameras to ensure that your prized possession escapes a situation relatively unscathed.

Interlude: All about that BASS

If it was built purely for offroad trails, the Defender will have a hard time justifying its high price tag. Thankfully, it’s not just a prize for the great outdoors. The car also has a luxurious suite of comfort and convenience features baked inside.

It’s easy to name the standard array of features, like the infotainment panel or the air conditioning, but the real pièce de résistance is what Land Rover calls the Body and Soul Seats (or BASS, for short).

Available only on the OCTA models of the Defender, the BASS offers immersive sound technology embedded inside the seats themselves. It vibrates according to the song you’re listening to. It’s very immersive and much like strapping a subwoofer to your back.

Alternatively, it also comes with a wellness mode that has six presets designed to keep you calm in tough traffic. As opposed to the immersive mode that can keep your blood pumping for exhilarating drives, wellness mode is more relaxing.

How to turn your Defender into a rally car

I’m not going to pretend that I have any sort of rally experience. So, when the final leg of my day with the Defender was announced as a high-speed, loose-gravel trail, I was frankly frightened… and a little bit excited.

Before we get into the experience, a short introduction to OCTA Mode is necessary. On its own, the Defender is as sporty as it gets. However, OCTA Mode, available only on the eponymous model, is what you might consider a sport mode on steroids, a beast unleashed. As the appointed driver said to me, it’s designed to reduce grip and enable power-sliding, making it perfect for trails like this. Though that sounds unsafe, it makes for a much more exciting experience out on the track.

Imagine telling a 635hp beast to run free. That’s what OCTA is.

And exciting, it was. As scared as I was at first, I learned to trust the car by this point. The experience was without compare.

For one, the Defender OCTA’s 0-60 is just an absurd 3.8 seconds. In no time at all, we were already barreling through the course at blinding speeds. Secondly, braking and cornering were also smooth. At no point did I feel that the car was out of control.

We also tried the mode on paved roads. Though it was less grippy, we still had the feel of the road underneath our tires. We weren’t skating on ice.

How I learned to stop worrying and love the Defender

The beauty of the Defender series is in how it melts fear. When you first see a beast like the Defender, you rarely have any idea of what to expect. However, the car quickly teaches you to let go of your fear.

There is no need to baby the Defender. Yes, it costs upwards of PhP 6 million (and PhP 25 million for the OCTA), but the ability to conquer rough terrain is part of what you’re paying for with the Defender. As they say, “when you’ve got it, flaunt it.” In this case, flaunting it isn’t just about leaving it out in the open; it’s about unleashing the beast and letting it roar.

When the love of my life turned into the loss of my life, driving felt like a chore I couldn’t bring myself to do. Driving wasn’t simply a way to get from Point A to Point B.

Every press on the accelerator once meant I was on my way to see someone I thought I’d build forever with. I could still picture us in traffic jams, singing songs off-key. Those memories made every drive feel alive.

But life doesn’t move according to your route. After that last drive with the Ford Territory Titanium X eight months ago, no other car or trip felt the same.

Everything since felt like errands. Just me, going somewhere, sometimes with people, but never with someone. For months, I stayed busy rebuilding, but healing sometimes feels like a road trip without a destination.

You start over, take turns you didn’t expect, and in the process, you realize others are evolving too. Case in point: the Ford Territory Titanium X, now reborn as a Hybrid.

I first saw it at its launch in Bonifacio Global City, and I didn’t feel any butterflies. But when I finally stepped inside for a drive to Baguio City, it felt… familiar.

It’s like meeting someone you used to know, only this time, they’ve grown softer and wiser. Maybe, I thought, this was my mirror moment. Maybe, I was meeting the better version of myself, too.

Upgraded, inside and out

At first glance, the Territory Hybrid Titanium X looks much like the one I used to know until you look closely.

Aside from the subtle Hybrid badge, it’s longer and wider, and maybe, even grander in presence. There’s a new grille, hood, and fenders, and a coast-to-coast LED light bar that glows (but only for the Titanium X trim).

It reminded me of the small shifts that happen when you heal. You buy new clothes, cut your hair, and even put up boundaries by saying “no” and then one day, someone will say “you look different.”

Inside, it felt like coming home. The cabin welcomed me with its familiar blend of leather. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12-inch infotainment display reminded me of the screen we used to play, but now I’ve used it to stream new songs that I enjoy.

It’s got the same creature comforts I’ve always loved, like the hands-free power tailgate that makes it convenient when you’re carrying loads of bags. Except maybe this time, I learned how to pack light and leave the weight I didn’t need to carry.

The difference now lies within. The hybrid powertrain, combined with the electric motor, kept it quiet that I almost consumed my own thoughts. It was calm that you wouldn’t notice the changes unless you listen closely.

But maybe that’s what growth is: changes that aren’t most visible, but what’s quietly working beneath the surface.

New company on the open road

I shared this drive with Kyle and Gab, fellow creators and journalists I met for the first time. We ditched the driver rotation plan, so we could take on the parts of the route we were best suited for.

Kyle handled the never-ending curves of Kennon and Asin roads. With slippery roads, we relied on the Territory’s electronic stability and traction control, especially during sharp turns. Kyle wasn’t too happy with it, but at least we had his steady hands to bring us back safely.

Gab and I swapped seats for the more monotonous stretches: the long, endless freeways. When Gab took over, the Automatic Emergency Braking kicked in twice. It startled us, especially me, as I sat in the backseat without a seatbelt on.

It was an unexpected jolt, but a much-needed one. Even though it annoyed us, it was comforting to know the car was still looking out for us even when we thought we didn’t need it.

Refilling my own tank

When it was my turn, I found myself recharging the hybrid’s battery along a long stretch of road. It was oddly satisfying, especially since I’d done it before.

As Kyle and Gab fell asleep — which I was proud of, or maybe they were just really tired — I thought of all the times I’d felt drained and how I’d learned to fill my own tank again.

Maybe that’s why I love hybrid cars. They remind me of how great I am at pouring love, keeping myself or others moving forward.

In this case, it was when Kyle took the wheel again, using the energy I restored to catch up with the convoy and speed up.

I’m glad we got our hands on the Titanium X trim. Beyond the shared safety suite such as stability control, traction control, hill assist, and 360-degree cameras, this top variant adds layers of luxury that matter.

For someone like me, who trains and races, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features are a blessing when exhaustion hits.

Meanwhile, the Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert feel like having an extra pair of eyes.

When your body’s too tired to think, all you need is a reminder that even when you can’t see what’s behind or beside you, the car’s got your back.

Where the road ends (and begins again)

It rained the moment we left Baguio City. The convoy blurred into mist ahead, and all I could see were red taillights. The wipers worked tirelessly while I tightened my grip on the wheel.

Thankfully, the Territory Hybrid Titanium X responded.

I trusted it the way you trust yourself after heartbreak. Not because I’m fearless, but because I’ve been through enough to know I’ll make it out.

At 100 km/h on TPLEX, I kept pace with the storm. Taylor Swift may have said “keep it 100” in her latest single “The Fate of Ophelia,” but I meant it differently.

The drive home didn’t feel like the end of this journey. It felt like closure.

The Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X wasn’t the same car I fell in love with, and I wasn’t the same person who drove it then.

Both of us transformed, not because we wanted to be, but because life demanded it.

And maybe that’s what love, in all its forms, is supposed to be. Maybe you don’t need to hold on to what was, but you learn to drive forward in the company of new people and what remains.

By the time I parked, I wasn’t thinking about what I’d lost anymore. I was thinking about where I’d go next.

The Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X starts at PhP 1,599,000 while the Trend variant starts at PhP 1,399,000. Both variants come in Oasis Green, Crystal Pearl White, Star White, Blue Panther, and Panther Black. Get it at dealerships nationwide.

Earlier this year, we named the Kia EV9 as one of the most luxurious vehicles we’ve tried so far. Besides the raw power inside, the car’s interior was a spectacle for the tech-savvy. Today, Kia Philippines is expanding its now-iconic lineup with a smaller version of its behemoth. Presenting: the Kia EV5.

At the 13^th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, Kia Philippines unleashed the EV5. Compared to the gigantic capabilities of the EV9, the EV5 is a five-seater SUV that leverages all the technological capabilities of its all-electric motor.

Under the hood, the car can put out a capable 217 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque. Impressively, the 88.1kWh battery can reportedly last up to 550 kilometers on a single charge.

As expected, the Kia EV5 will feature the brand’s impressive array of tech-filled capabilities. This includes Kia’s ADAS features called DriveWise. It also has, we can assume, a lot of convenience features that straddle the edge of luxury.

Now, we say “assume” because the car hasn’t technically launched yet. Kia Philippines has confirmed that a more formal launch will happen in the first quarter of 2026. This launch will reveal the final price and available features coming to the Philippines.

In the meantime, interested buyers can get a first look at the Kia EV5 during the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit happening until October 25.

SEE ALSO: Starting the newly engaged life with the Kia EV9