2019 Toyota Vios: What makes it desirable?

The all-new 2019 Toyota Vios was launched in Malaysia just earlier this year, and since then, it has successfully replaced the older-gen model. For several years, the Vios has been the leader of the B-segment, and with the new one already here, that will likely not change anytime soon.

2019 Toyota Vios price starts from RM 77,200 for the base trim, while the mid-option trim costs RM 81,200. At the very top of the Vios line-up, sits the RM 87,300 top-of-the-range variant. All variants are powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and get a CVT as standard. The Japanese carmaker mentioned that it has made quite a lot of improvements to the way the new Vios was built, placing more emphasis on quality and passenger comfort. However, what really makes this subcompact sedan so desirable? Scroll down for the probable reasons…

Exterior styling

Despite its success, the previous avatar of the Toyota Vios was a little too sedate for most people. However, the replacement is anything but. The 2019 Vios has been styled to turn heads and captivate the masses, even though it’s only a B-segment family sedan. And it accomplishes that really well, especially thanks to its front fascia. It gives this car its true presence on the road, and that’s primarily down to its sporty demeanour. The swooping bonnet has a clamshell design, and features a distinctive power bulge in the middle. At the snout, there’s a large body-coloured trim that incorporates the brand logo and is connected to the headlamps by glossy black plastic trim bits.

The headlamps themselves look smart and have a sweptback shape, and fits neatly into the front of the Vios. The massive bumper incorporates a large central air dam and a smaller slit right above the number plate. There are also sleek LED DRLs and fog lamp housings on the sides of the bumper, along with a wind splitter at the bottom. The side profile gets subtle yet noticeable character lines, trendy alloy wheels, sporty side skirts, classy chrome door handles, along with a rising beltline and sloping roofline. The fashionable rear of the Vios features a boot-lip spoiler, large wrap-around tail lamps with LED elements, well-contoured boot lid, and a soft rear bumper with integrated fog lamps and an air diffuser.

Cabin space

One of the most important factors for a family sedan is decent interior space. And the 2019 Toyota Vios doesn’t disappoint on that front. It surely feels roomier in here compared to its predecessor, but not by a huge margin. The front occupants have no dearth of space at all, as there’s plenty of headroom, shoulder room and space for their legs. The seats, too, offer good amounts of support and are comfortable enough. The rear bench can easily carry two adults without breaking a sweat, though you can seat a third passenger here as well. For most people, the rear bench of the new Vios will offer plenty of space for a car this size. Of course, the 506-litre boot is a great boon. Finally, Toyota has improved the build quality and fit & finish of the interior, especially when compared to its predecessor.

Safety and other features

The 2019 Toyota Vios specs list shows following standard safety features - seven airbags, ABS with EBD and braking assist, electronic Vehicle Stability Control (VSA), Traction Control assist (TC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), speed-sensitive door locks, ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, and rear parking sensors. Meanwhile, higher variants also come with rear disc brakes, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Some of the highlighting features that the 2019 Vios gets includes 16-inch alloy wheels, acoustic front windshield, projector halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs), power-retractable and auto-folding wing mirrors with integrated LED turn indicators, keyless-entry with push-button start, automatic climate control, leather seats, paddle shifters, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and gear lever, all-around parking sensors with surround-view camera system, digital driver’s display, a 6.8-inch touch-multimedia head unit with USB mirroring, HDMI and voice dialling, and a six-speaker sound system.

Frugal engine

The new Vios is equipped with Toyota’s naturally-aspirated 2NR-FE, 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It’s a refined mill, becoming quite vocal in the cabin only high up in the rev band. It produces 106hp at 6,000 rpm and 140Nm of maximum torque at 4,200 rpm, and is mated to a 7-Step continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Vios spins its front wheels and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in around 11 seconds, while top speed is 175 kmph. But the best characteristic of this engine is its fuel economy - driven sedately, you can squeeze over 18 kmpl out of this unit.

Brand value

Undeniably, one of the most desirable things about the 2019 Vios has to be that it’s a Toyota. The Vios by itself has earned an impressive reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction in the past, something the new model will likely carry into the future. Also, the Toyota badge will pay dividends when you want to sell it.