passad jeepney of
Iloilo City -based derivative jeepney called
multicab Body designs of jeepneys vary by region. Some are plainly colored, while others can use massive variety. Some jeepneys can be decorated with stickers or spray paint, with designs consisting of caricatures, illustrations, or pictures inspired by popular cultures, such as actors and actresses, cartoons,
animes, comics, games, or movie characters, abstract designs and lines, religious icons, and others. In the central island of
Cebu, the bulk of jeepneys are built from second-hand Japanese trucks, originally intended for cargo. These are euphemistically known as "surplus trucks". Popular jeepney manufacturers in Cebu are Chariot and RDAK, known for its "flat-nosed" jeepneys made from surplus
Suzuki Carry (also known as
multicab) and
Isuzu Elf trucks, which are no longer in use in Japan owing to
road tax and obsolescence in their country of origin. These are equipped with high-powered sound systems, and racing themes, and are said to be bigger and taller than those in Manila. In Bulacan, particularly in the city of Malolos, shorter extended "owner" jeeps called "Karatig" are used for short-distance, inter-city transportation. The size varies, with approximately of passenger space which is longer than and can seat at least twice as many passengers as private-use "owner" jeeps. The "Karatigs" are less ergonomic and fuel-efficient compared to the more standard-size public utility jeeps dominating the rest of the country. Despite this awkward size, "Karatig" jeeps' unique and even "cute" size has become an icon contributing to the culture and experience of Bulacan public transportation. Nelson-type jeepneys are manufactured in
Davao City and are known there as "uso-uso". The designs of these jeepneys are very different from the traditional style. These jeepneys feature modern front grille and body designs, lowered ride height, and industrial-quality paint jobs. Newer models of Nelson-type jeepneys feature chrome wheels, equipped with radial tubeless tires. They are almost always equipped with a powerful stereo system, so they are often referred to as "mobile discos." Many manufacturers are moving to build modern-looking jeepneys such as
Hummer and
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon lookalikes and oversized van-style passenger jeepneys with headlights, hoods, bumpers and other components salvaged from AUVs and
sport utility vehicles like the
Honda CR-V or the
Toyota Tamaraw. In
Iloilo City, jeepneys called
passad are known for bearing a resemblance to
sedans or
pickup trucks, with the front fascia taken off an existing SUV or AUV. The vehicle's body has a much lower profile which resembles more of a
sedan chassis with an elongated body. In the
Cordillera Administrative Region, especially in Baguio City and Benguet province, they have jeeps fitted with truck wheels, or jeeps based on a
heavy truck platform, frame, and engine. The same goes for other parts of the Philippines with unpaved roads. The launching of the jeepney modernization program raised concerns that the jeepney's iconic look would be erased by other designs that would make them look like buses. Several lawmakers have pushed to retain the jeepney's iconic design in modern jeepneys.
2nd-generation jeepneys Fully assembled with refurbished engines, some also have
air-conditioning units, which are popular in
Makati. Most of these jeepneys have radically expanded passenger capacities, and are often flamboyant and noisy. Many jeepneys from this generation run on
diesel fuel, though very rarely with gasoline and
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Passenger jeepneys from this generation and beyond may employ tailgates especially if they traverse expressways. These are usually rigged mechanically to be controlled from the driver's side in lieu of electronic locking systems. File:Jeepney Interior.jpg|The interior of a second-generation jeepney File:202403 A jeepney in Makati, Manila.jpg|An air-conditioned jeepney in
Makati File:Fairview Cubao Jeepney (cropped).jpg|A jeepney with a side door in
Quezon City 3rd-generation jeepneys has been a popular choice among entrepreneurs. Two kinds of 3rd-generation jeepneys have surfaced over the years: Modernized jeepneys and truck-and-van-based jeepneys. Modernized jeepneys are manufactured using new engine components and are built with air-conditioning, particularly with recent Euro 4 engine standards imposed in the country. Though some keep the traditional body of the contemporary jeepney, many of these closely resemble a
minibus. Their doors may be situated at the side, or at the front, with doors functioning like that of an actual bus.
Cab/chassis variants of jeepneys are based on
pick-up trucks and
van platforms wherein local coachbuilders assemble rear bodies for passenger and cargo hauling purposes. Their doors are situated at the back as a tailgate and usually have parallel bench seats that can be lifted for more cargo space and air conditioning that may be standard or optional to some car manufacturers. These kind of vehicles are referred to as FB-type vans. Early examples of the modern type of jeepney include the
Toyota Tamaraw, Ford Fiera, and the Mitsubishi Cimmaron (Which predates the Tamaraw and Fiera by a whole decade, introduced as far back as 1961) which had parallel benches offered standard by their respective manufacturers. They were introduced back in the 1970s and were an alternative to the aging jeepney. Modern examples include the pick-up based
Toyota Hilux,
ISUZU IPV and
Mitsubishi L200 to the van-based
Hyundai H100,
Mitsubishi L300,
Kia K-2500 Karga,
Isuzu Traviz and even truck-based
Mitsubishi Fuso Canter,
Hino Dutro and
Isuzu N-Series to name a few. Although they are often seen as
commercial van rather than actual jeepneys, they are popularly used as school buses, delivery vehicles, and other modes of
public transportation, mainly
UV Express, though used sparingly in comparison to actual commercial vans such as the
Toyota HiAce or the
Nissan Urvan.
Modern jeepneys Class 1 jeepney Modern jeepneys are an updated version of the third-generation models, featuring additional regulatory standards. These include standardized seating, increased vehicle height, CCTV, fare collection systems (both traditional and
Beep), speed limiters, GPS, and
Wi-Fi. Typically, brand-new jeepneys of this generation are issued to transport cooperatives and are manufactured by major vehicle producers. However, some modern jeepneys are also built by coachbuilders, provided they adhere to the specified standards. Many modern jeepneys resemble truck vans in design and aesthetics, often featuring a hoodless front due to their industrial manufacturing process. This design choice makes them look more like buses than traditional jeepneys. There are at least 3 classifications categorized by manufacturers, Class 1 is based on vans or
microvans chassis cabs. Like 3rd-generation jeepneys, they have rear bodies made by coachbuilders, but the only difference is that they are taller in height and their passenger doors are now situated on the side. Classes 2 and 3 are based on
medium-duty trucks (Often converted to a bus) or an actual minibus. Class 1 and 2 PUVs have their seating configuration facing sidewards while Class 3 are front-facing seat configuration. For truck vans and minibuses, vehicle manufacturers/coachbuilders can sometimes offer both Class 2 and Class 3 configurations on their models.
E-jeepneys PUV coachbuilt by
Almazora Local
automobile parts manufacturers are now planning the production of electric jeepneys. Electric jeepneys are now widely deployed in several parts of Metro Manila and in some provinces, either as a staple transportation that completely replaces conventional jeepneys or as a service vehicle. The deployments were in response to calls for reduced
greenhouse gas emissions and the fluctuations in oil prices. E-jeepneys have come into the economic question as the average cost per kWh of electricity in the Philippines is unsustainable for owner-operators. However, considering the uncertainty in diesel prices, e-jeepneys seem more economical in the long run compared to diesel-fueled jeepneys. In early 2023, the
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board assured the public that the modernization program could retain the traditional jeepney's iconic look. Amid the proliferation of air-conditioned minibuses, often called "modern jeepneys", local companies such as Francisco Motor Corp. plan to modernize jeepneys while keeping the jeepney's traditional design intact. == Advantages and disadvantages ==