Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios

When the first Toyota Vios was launched more than 10 years ago, it was a cute but basic compact sedan.
Still, it was much nicer than its predecessor, the Soluna, which was practically prehistoric. Targeted at the Asean region as an Asean-made car, the Vios was manufactured in Thailand a smaller, more affordable alternative to the established Toyota Corolla. Now, the fourth-generation Vios has taken another step towards refinement and transformed itself into a glitzier model.It looks bigger and swankier than the car it replaces, even though it retains the same platform. Gone are the rounded front and rear ends, replaced with more defined bodywork and shinier lamps. The front end is bolder and wears the latest Toyota family look. The restyle may not be to everyone’s taste, but it does make the Vios more distinctive. What is interesting is that the roof features two domes which Toyota calls a “catamaran” design. Apart from aesthetics, they actually contribute to aerodynamic efficiency and hence, better fuel consumption and emission figures.While the 4.4-metre-long car is slightly longer because of the new bumpers, the 2,550 mm wheelbase remains the same. Despite the unchanged dimensions, the cabin feels a bit roomier because it has been optimised with so-called concave door panels carving out a bit more elbow space, as well as improved rear legroom courtesy of slimmer front seatbacks.But the biggest change is to the dashboard. The centrally located instrument cluster has been replaced by a conventionally positioned three-ring set of meters in a brand new and surprisingly attractive fascia. The dashboard top may not have a soft-touch surface, but it is textured to look like it does.More importantly, the trim and materials look convincingly upscale. Much thought seems to have gone into it, for example, the dimpled frame around the centre touchscreen that looks like piano black but without the unwanted reflectiveness.

Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios

Only the meters’ bluish dials are a bit tacky. At the back, the boot is only marginally bigger, but because it has been redesigned with smaller wheel arch intrusions, a wider opening and lower loading height, it is now much more useable.The drivetrain has been carried over, with its trusty four-cylinder 1.5-litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission.One improvement is that better insulation and an acoustic front windscreen mean the engine is less boomy under hard acceleration. Another is that the improved aerodynamics not only result in better fuel economy, but also a CEVS rebate of $5,000. The electric power steering is also supposed to be optimised for greater precision, but it does not feel more direct. It is also height-adjustable only, and not for reach.There are two versions, the Vios E and the Vios G. The G costs $4,000 extra but packs a lot more equipment, such as halogen projection headlamps, automatic climate control, 60:40 split rear seats that include a centre armrest with cupholders and a bit more chrome and leather around the car. More significantly, it has rear brake discs versus rear drum brakes, as well as bigger front brake discs. For either variant though, the new Toyota Vios has not only raised the bar in terms of refinement but also in value for money.

Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios