Facelifted Toyota Avanza Arrives in Malaysia - Price Starts from RM68K

Kuala Lumpur: UMW Toyota Motor has unveiled the facelifted Toyota Avanza in Malaysia. The fashionable seven-seater MPV now looks more appealing with additional kits and safety equipment, especially the new engine unit that makes the model high-spec-high-priced than the previous model. The range of facelifted Toyota Avanza now starts with the manual only 1.3E variant, priced at RM68,330 (metallic RM69,072). Next comes the auto-only 1.5E variant retailed at RM75,017 (metallic RM75,787). Notably, both variants are RM3,000 costlier than their pre-facelifted versions. Similarly, the 1.5G now costs RM77,735 (RM2,028 more than previous) while the metallic paint variant has been priced at the RM78,477 - that is RM2,000 higher than its previous price. The top model of the range - 1.5S now costs RM80,040 for solid paint and RM80,810 for metallic paint. For both variants, now you have to pay RM2,000 more than the pre-facelifted version. All prices mentioned above are on road prices that include insurance and a three-year /100,000 km warranty.

The entire front of the facelifted Avanza has been revamped with newly designed bonnet, fenders, headlights, grille and bumper. The front of the standard car looks pretty similar to that of Honda HR-V featuring large trapezoidal upper grille, a thick bar (chrome on 1.5G, silver on 1.5E and 1.3E) housing the slim headlights in addition to a full-width air vent low down in the bumper. The front of range-topper 1.5S looks more distinct by the narrow upper grille and the heavily downturned lower grille connected to the fog lights looks very similar to the Vios. Unlike Indonesia's ranger-topper - Avanza Veloz 1.5 (that features projector halogen headlamps) - all other facelifted variants now gets halogen reflectors as standard. In contrast with the front, the rear portion has got a few revisions in the form of new tail light graphics and slightly upturned indicators and reverse lights. There is no newly designed tailgate with a slimmer rear number plate and revamped tail light strips on top Indonesian variants, all models have managed to score some brownie points with their new alloy wheels measuring 14 inches for 1.5E and 15 inches for 1.5G and 1.5S in diameter.

Also, the interior has been revised decently. Now the re-designed centre console comes with a new matte silver finish that extends all the way to the bezels on the steering wheels audio controls and power window switches on 1.5S and 1.5G variants including the new trim piece above the glovebox. The facelifted version also features a new black fabric upholstery pattern and revised gauges in the instrument cluster. In addition, there is a new distinct 2-DIN head unit and a standard portable tyre inflator. The most significant addition is the inclusion of a 50:50-split third-row seat. The standard front and rear air-conditioning blowers with independent rear controls remain unchanged. The facelifted Toyota Avanza also comes with options like aero kit with LED daytime running lights for 1.3E, 1.5E and 1.5G variants (RM2,332), a DVD-AVN GPS navigation system (RM3,122) or a DVD-AVX infotainment system (RM1,982), both featuring the reverse cameras and an option of choosing Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film (RM1,993) or Toyota Essential Solar Film (RM1,039).

IMAGE COURTESY: PAULTAN.ORG

In terms of safety, all revised Avanzas now features ABS with EBD (even on E variants) in addition to standard dual airbags and Isofix child seat anchors on the outer second-row seats. Also, they come with a front passenger seatbelt reminder, a second-row centre three-point seat belt and the second-row centre headrest as the bench is split 50:50.

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The best thing about facelifted Toyota Avanza is its revised body structure meets Toyota’s Global Body Assessment (GOA) crash standards. The automaker has claimed that the facelifted variant will score a four-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, up from the previous two stars. But the jackpot lies under its bonnet - the new Avanza gives you an option of two new NR naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines, both with Dual VVT-i. The 1.3L engine produces 95hp of power (up from 89 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 121 Nm of torque (up from 117 Nm) at 4,200 rpm (200 rpm lower). The range topper 1.5L engine produces 103hp of power, (up from 101 hp) while the torque remains unchanged at 136 Nm, similarly, at lower revs.

As aforementioned, the base 1.3L engine variant comes with a 5-speed manual transmission while the 1.5L engine variant only comes with a 4 speed automatic - both are rear-wheel drives. Toyota has claimed that the facelifted Avanza comes with a 5-10% better fuel economy, thanks to its new engines and the optimised transmission oil pressure and electronically-controlled throttle. The facelifted Avanza gets revised front MacPherson strut and rear four-link coil-sprung rear suspension (with solid rear axle) for better ride and handling and upgraded steering wheel. Also, the cabin noise has been reduced by heavy use of sound-deadening materials and the lower NVH from the prop shaft and differential. Interestingly, the facelifted Avanza now features ventilated front brake discs instead of old solid rotors but the rear drums still remains unchanged.

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