Toyota Vios

Overview

Twelve years ago, Toyota Vios made its debut in the Malaysian markets alongside Honda City. Together they brought Japanese manufacturing back for the consideration of masses. Right after the launch of the two cars, both the companies were receiving bookings at a rate faster than their rate of manufacturing. From then to this date, Toyota Vios has maintained a special status in Malaysian B-Segment market. The exterior of Toyota Vios may not seem too appealing, too innovative, it is its practicality and performance which attracts the users. The Vios has undergone a number of changes and the current version is the third-generation of the sedan, which is due for its next major update.

Interior & Features

Toyota Vios achieves unbounding sportiness with the red and black leather seats available on its 1.5 TRD Sportivo variant. Step down to the lower variants and the only loss will be in the aesthetic eye-appealing features, comfort is not compromised. Rear seats are available with a 60:40 split folding options in the top three variants which increases your trunk space. There are no bumps for rear passengers, a flat floor is made available for their comfort. The integrated Audio System with steering control (1.5 TRD Sportivo and 1.5G) only adds to your comfort manyfold.

There is enough provision for leg room and head room, a very important aspect of comfortable driving, this feature alone makes it a standout vehicle in its class. Toyota Vios comes with a huge boot space of 506-litre, whereas, you can increase more space inside the car with 60:40 split folding rear seats available only for 1.5 TRD Sportivo, 1.5G, and 1.5E variants.

Nothing too fancy, being a budget-friendly car the inbuilt audio system of Toyota Vios is a simple Dashboard Integrated CD Player (1.5 TRD Sportivo (AT) and 1.5G (AT) and 1.5E(AT)) and primitive 2-DIN Head Unit CD player for lower variants. Both audio players are packed with a tuner, USB, AUX Jack and MP3. Toyota has provided its customer base with optional features to increment their entertainment quotient, these are DVD-AVN (2 DIN Head Unit DVD player which comes with 7 inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, Wi-Fi, Internet Browser, Voice recognition, Navigation system, USB, HDMI and reverse camera) and DVD-AVX (2 DIN Head Unit DVD with 6.1-inch touch screen, touch screen, tuner, AUX-Jack, USB, SD card slot, Bluetooth, MP3 and reverse camera).

Exterior

The styling clearly indicates that the sedan is designed while keeping the practicality quotient high over any other aspect.  From the looks, Toyota Vios seems like any other car in the entry-level sedan range, there is nothing too dynamic about it. The front grille extends to the headlamps giving you a "Honda" like exposure with an aggressive front bumper design. The older, broad pillar lines are replaced by a sleek straight line running throughout the body which makes the car look broad and curvier around the edges. High-end variants 1.5 TRD Sportivo and 1.5G have additional privileges like projector headlamps with manual leveling function. The most significant upgrade in terms of the exterior is received by the top end all sport variant which offers 5 new modification options - Trunk Lid Spoiler, Side Skirts, Rear Bumper Spoiler, Daytime running lights, and front bumper called the TRD Sportivo aero kit. These additions are enough to make your experience exceptional.

Toyota Vios has a tremendously spacious interior credit to the 2550mm wheelbase, one of the features which exceeds expectations. The overall dimensions of Toyota Vios measure 4410mm x 1700mm x 1475mm (L X W X H) with a ground clearance of 147mm.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Despite the fact that engine has not changed and is now comparatively old, the 4 cylinder, 16 stroke DOHC 1.5-litre engine with VVT-i provides the driver with modest pull with the smoother 4 speed Auto transmission variants (1.5J MT gets 5-speed manual transmission). It is a totally befitting option for a daily office commuter, but it is really doubtful if this engine appeals to the speedsters. The maximum output power is 109 PS at 6000 rpm while the maximum drawn torque is 141 Nm at 4,200 rpm.

Braking & Safety

When you have a safety package like Toyota offers, confidence is bound to go up while driving. Toyota Vios is embedded with all the standard features to increment your safety. ABS braking and SRS airbags packed in a steel structure with a high tensile strength give way to incremented protection against any mishap. There are dual airbags, 3-point ELR seatbelts have been appointed which retract in case of emergency. WIL (Whiplash Injury lessening) front seats aid in reducing the possibility of a serious head and neck injury by aiding support in case of a rear collision. Auto Jam Protection Window for driver detects any kind of resistance offered when the window is raised to protect driver from any sort of injury. ISOFIX mounting points are available for child safety. Handling on the other hand has never really been Vios forte from the time of its launch itself and it still isn’t. The grip over the steering isn't really bad but the steering itself is dull at times and at times it is too tight. Low suspension induces a possibility of body roll if the roads twist.