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Toyota’s all-new Vios

Toyota has debuted its all-new Vios at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show, which is a crucial model for the brand in the region.



The debut has caused a huge stir on Malaysian motoring Internet sites with most devoting several entries to the family favourite. You can understand their excitement though as the Vios is far and away the best selling non-national car in Malaysia.

So what can we expect from an all-new Vios? Externally at least, it looks like quite a lot as there have been massive style changes over its predecessor.

Toyota’s designers have taken their styling cues from the current Corolla Altis and Camry so the Vios sports a much tougher ‘face’. Projector headlamps now reside under the plastic light covers though only for the G and S variants. Opt for the cheaper E or J model and you have to make do with reflectors.

A large front bumper opening with an integrated black styling bar dominates the front end along with neatly integrated fog lamps. There are now two feature lines running along the body sides to form convex and concave surfaces and they both end in a rear end that also sports an all-new look.

Complex jewel effect rear lamps create a distinctive look at the rear and on higher spec models; there is a large horizontal chrome bar above the number plate housing. Lower bumper reflectors break up the mass of plastic at the back and the rear deck appears to be a bit longer for a more pronounced three-box shape.

Inside, there is more good news as Toyota has given the Vios an all-new interior. The centrally mounted instrument display has been ditched for a more traditional arrangement with brightly lit meter faces. The radio is mounted high, above the centre air vents, while high-spec cars get auto air conditioning. The Thai spec-sheet however says you can only get two airbags in a Vios and there is no ESP available regardless of which variant you choose.

Unfortunately, underneath all the shiny new exterior and interior is an unchanged mechanical package. The 1NZ-FE engine soldiers on with 109hp at 6000r-m and 141Nm at 4200rpm. There is a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed auto gearboxes (also carried over) and even the wheelbase is unchanged at 2550mm.

Without having driven the car yet, it’s difficult to say if Toyota’s ‘if it ain’t broke’ approach is the correct one to take, but with the Honda City now playing in a higher price bracket and the Nissan Almera cleaning up in the lower-end of the market with its combination of space and frugality, the all-new Vios may not dominate as thoroughly as its predecessors.

Or, it may just continue to occupy its position as the best selling non-national car in Malaysia. Toyota will certainly be hoping for the latter scenario and with their track record for success, you’d have to brave to bet against them succeeding.