CarAndDriverManila Vehicle Guide
Choose the vehicle based on passengers and luggage, not the advertised number of seats. A car typically suits one to three light travellers, an SUV offers a small group more comfort and flexibility, and a van is usually the safest choice for larger groups, airport bags, or bulky equipment.
Quick capacity guide
| Vehicle class | Comfortable passenger guide | Luggage guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 3 passengers | 1 large suitcase or 2 cabin carry-ons | Solo travellers, couples, and short city transfers |
| SUV | 3–4 passengers with luggage; 5–6 passengers with light bags only | Several suitcases, depending on whether the third row is used | Families, longer drives, and mixed passenger/luggage needs |
| Van | 13-15 passengers with backpacks only. 10 passengers with lots of luggage | Best option for multiple large cases, boxes, or equipment | Airport groups, corporate teams, and family trips |
Important: These are planning guidelines, not guaranteed limits. Two groups with the same passenger count may need different vehicles because of luggage.
Vehicles in our fleet
| Class | Actual make/model | Passenger and luggage recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Toyota, GAC, BYD | 3 passengers maximum and 2 pieces of smaller luggage |
| SUV | Toyota, Geely, Mitsubishi, Chery | 6 passengers maximum with 2 cabin carry-ons only. With the third-row seats down, the SUV can carry 4 passengers and around 8 cabin carry-ons, or 2 large suitcases and 2 cabin carry-ons |
| Van | Toyota, Foton | 15 passengers maximum with backpacks only. 10 passengers with up to 15 to 20 pieces of luggage |
Airport luggage: count every item
For an airport pickup, please provide the number of large suitcases, cabin bags, balikbayan boxes, and loose items. A seat count alone is not enough. Using every passenger seat can reduce the available luggage space, especially when an SUV’s third row is raised.
| Item | Why we need to know |
|---|---|
| Large suitcases | Hard-shell cases do not compress and may need to lie flat. |
| Balikbayan boxes | Dimensions vary considerably; please share the size or a photo. |
| Golf bags | Long bags may require folding a seat, reducing passenger capacity. |
| Wheelchairs or walkers | Please let us know if the wheelchair folds and if transfer assistance is needed. |
| Strollers and child seats | These use luggage space even when the child occupies a passenger seat. |
| Production or business equipment | Cases, samples, and stands should be measured before vehicle assignment. |
When should you choose the larger vehicle?
- Choose an SUV instead of a car when three passengers also have several large bags.
- Choose a van when airport luggage would otherwise need to occupy passenger seats.
- Choose a van for wheelchairs, golf equipment, balikbayan boxes, or multiple child items unless we confirm a smaller vehicle is suitable.
- For a long Luzon journey, leave extra space rather than filling every advertised seat.
- Always choose the larger vehicle when in doubt.
What to send for an exact recommendation
Send the number of adults and children, the age of each child, and a count of suitcases, cabin bags, boxes, wheelchairs, strollers, golf bags, or other equipment. Photos and approximate dimensions are particularly useful for unusual items.
Send your passenger and luggage details
Last reviewed: September 2026