FOR a time, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’ knocks against its performance, ergonomics and cabin space made buyers look past it. However, with the launch of the W212 (chassis code for the current E-Class or E), pundits and (motoring) public alike hailed it as the return of the said segment’s staple.

I TRAVERSE Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City almost daily.

It began in 1994, when I moved to a modest village situated just a spitting distance away from Commonwealth Avenue. My new abode is also “par-3” away from the famed Saint Peter’s Parish near Ever-Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue.

I endured bumper-to-bumper traffic there for years until the U-Turn slot in front of Saint Peter’s Parish was installed.  Perfect, as that eliminated the traffic light at Ever-Gotesco/Don Antonio Heights, which had caused pesky jams from morning ’til evening.

CARMAKERS typically would like to make the most media mileage when launching their new models. They squeeze this event so tight that it is very seldom that you will see two variants being introduced at the same time.

But Mazda Philippines had enough confidence in its product that it had the guts to introduce the new CX-7 and CX-9 at the same time. Mazda is more popularly known for its roadsters, so coming out with two sport crossovers is really quite a feat.