IF you look at the Isuzu Sportivo, one might see that it hasn’t changed much. But what people don’t know about it is that the unit has undergone upgrades that are suited more for executive cars or premium brand sedans than multipurpose vehicles.

Outside, the Sportivo retains the basic outline of its 2008 immediate predecessor, but with subtle changes that give it less “bling” and more of a utilitarian approach. The turn signals on the side mirror housings and in the headlamps have a more pronounced amber color, the grille now has a honeycomb backing (instead of multiple horizontal chrome slats), there’s a silver lower middle underguard, and the taillights now carry more red color.

THE 41st Tokyo Motor Show may not have been as packed as in previous years but the motorcycles display was quite impressive. Auto manufacturers with motorcycle components like Honda got the best displays when it decided to combine both their passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles in one huge booth. But Suzuki, Yamaha and even Harley-Davidson were present and so were their beautiful bikes.

The biggest interest for motorcycles in the Honda booth was the CB1100, a production-ready version of the concept displayed in 2007. The bike had a tube-steel frame and air-cooled, four-cylinder engine, much like the old CB750 but with modern retro styling. A “Customized Concept” version with black-finish exhaust and bikini fairings was also on display. Honda says this bike is ready for production but did not mention when and where.

There is also the EVE-neo, an electric scooter that was designed for city riding. This was a production-ready design that will most probably not go very fast but is capable of taking its rider citywide all of the time. And to complement this concept, Honda decided to come out with an electric version of the Honda Cub with hub-mounted electric motors.

ALTHOUGH it was not the first time that this writer has ridden a Mazda vehicle, her encounter with the CX-9 was her first test-drive and the experience was unforgettable. The 2009 Mazda CX-9 is a large crossover SUV that looks like a high, sporty sedan. Although the vehicle received an engine upgrade last year, the CX-9 isn’t much different from when it debuted two model years ago. The design has a new body style that could have been based on the Mazda 6 but on SUV chassis using 10-spoke, 20-inch rims and twin exhausts that give the vehicle a sportier look.      

The CX-9 is so spacious it can easily sit seven people comfortably. For those who find themselves being cramped or pinned inside their sporty sedan and want to scream out to a roomier vehicle, the Mazda CX-9 is the answer.