2019 Toyota Vios: Variants explained

Launched in January of this year, the 2019 Toyota Vios has been one of the most anticipated new cars in Malaysia. The B-segment Vios is the sedan form of the Yaris hatchback, which made its debut far more recently. And just like its hatchback sibling, the third-generation Toyota Vios also benefitted hugely from a facelift. It now looks a whole lot more modern and sporty, something that was sorely lacking in the pre-facelift model. In terms of its on-road pricing, the new Toyota Vios costs between RM 77,200 and RM 87,300. This makes the Vios a little bit more expensive than the Yaris which, for comparison, starts from RM 70,888.

In Malaysia, the 2019 Toyota Vios is available in three different trim levels, namely the J, E, and G. All three share the same powertrain and front-wheel drive layout, and make use of Toyota’s newly-developed 7-step CVT gearbox. As far as who the Vios is aimed at, its target audience is likely those who want an extremely reliable, safe, and frugal compact sedan, with the added advantage of a fresh new design, decent equipment levels, and hassle-free ownership experience.

Toyota Vios 1.5 J

Kicking things off at RM 77,200 is the base variant of the new Toyota Vios – the J trim. Up front, the Vios J gets a pretty basic front bumper design and standard halogen headlights. The former still features integrated LED daytime running lights but misses out on foglights. Along the sides, you get body-colored door hands, shark-fin radio antenna on the roof, and 15-inch alloy wheels shod with 185-section tyres. Meanwhile, the rear houses regular bulb taillight units and bumper-integrated foglights.

On the features and conveniences front, the J trim of the new Vios comes with keyless-entry with push-button start, automatic climate control, illuminated scuff plates, power-adjustable door mirrors, fabric upholstery, drive mode selector, a single-din audio system with support for Bluetooth, AUX, USB, and CD, and brings with it four speakers. However, Toyota Malaysia allows you to pay extra for some fancy additions. This includes a 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD-AVX head unit which supports USB mirroring, HDMI, and voice dialling. You can also opt for the aero kit, which will help jazz up the Vios with sporty bits of exterior trim such as front & rear bumper spoiler, side skirts, and a rear trunk lid spoiler. While the former costs RM 2,160, the latter option is priced at RM 2,800. Also available are premium window tint and solar protection for RM 2,120.

Fortunately, Toyota doesn’t skimp much when it comes to the safety tech. This means, as standard, you get seven airbags, ABS with EBD and braking assist, electronic vehicle stability control, traction control assist, hill-start assist, speed-sensitive door locks, ISOFIX anchor points, and rear parking sensors.

Power for the 2019 Toyota Vios comes from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The 2NR-FE unit pumps out 106 hp at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of peak torque at 4,200 rpm. The Vios can achieve a top speed of 175 kmph, while the run from zero to 100 kmph takes around 11 seconds.

Toyota Vios 1.5 E

The mid-range E variant of the 2019 Toyota Vios starts at RM 81,200. You can tell the E trim apart from the base J variant by its front halogen foglights, acoustic front windshield, integrated turn indicators for the wing mirrors, and partial LED taillights. One of the more noteworthy changes in the interior is the inclusion of split-folding rear seats and rear armrest with integrated cup holders. The E trim also features power-retractable and auto-folding door mirrors, audio controls on the steering wheel, and a surround-view camera system for aid during parking.

Additionally, the 6.8-inch touch-multimedia head unit and the premium window tinting now come as standard equipment. Furthermore, this mid-variant also ropes in extra safety measures such as a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.

Toyota Vios 1.5 G

Coming in at RM 87,300, the top-of-the-range G variant of the 2019 Vios isn’t too dissimilar to the mid-trim E model. However, the Vios G can be distinguished from the latter by its front fascia which now wears additional garnish on its bumper and grille. Additionally, you now also get a more modern projector setup for the halogen headlights. Along the sides, the G trim wears larger, 16-inch alloy wheels and the door handles are now chrome-plated. The interior of the Vios G includes leather seats, paddle shifters, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and gear lever, all-around parking sensors, a 4.2-inch digital driver’s display, and six speakers instead of just four. The only additional safety equipment here is the rear disc brakes.