Photos by SS KANESAN
The new fourth-generation Toyota Vios is impressively kitted and stands out in its segment with a dazzling array of comfort and smart features, safety technology and lightweight, fuel-efficient yet solid packaging.
Compared with its predecessor, the new B-segment four-door family sedan is bigger and roomier, yet 110kg lighter (with a 1,035kg kerb weight for Vios G grade) which translates into better fuel economy.
Toyota claims the new Vios, fitted with a 40-litre fuel tank, can deliver fuel consumption of 5.2 litres per 100km or 19.2km per litre.
Of course, to get results closer to that fuel economy figure in daily driving, one would need to be very gentle on the accelerator pedal, not load the car with heavy stuff, and drive in a highly energy-efficient manner.
With our typical impatient manner of driving, we recorded 12.2km per litre during our four days and 293km with the Vios (G Grade).
It should be noted that we drove in Normal mode most of the time, and fuel economy recorded would have been much better had we kept the car in Eco mode and drove in a less heavy-footed style.
Sometimes, we made use of the Power mode (eager throttle response and higher-revving driving) when we were rushing to our destination.
Built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, the new Vios is powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC dual VVTi engine with a tad lower output at 106PS (-1PS) and maximum torque of 138Nm (-2Nm), mated to a seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT ) with Sequential Shiftmatic.
It’s a perky powertrain and responds eagerly when we want to pick up speed in a spirited manner and step harder on the accelerator pedal, which results in engine noise getting a bit loud as the digital tachometer approaches 4,000rpm.
Once we got up to the desired smooth cruising speed, and the CVT shifts to higher virtual gears, powertrain noise drops to low levels and the cabin becomes a relatively quiet place to enjoy the six-speaker audio system.
The front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension set-up is comfort oriented, and when driven at some speed over uneven roads with bumps and surface irregularities, ride quality was never jarring or uncomfortably bouncy.
Our Vios G grade test drive unit was shod with Continental PremiumContact C tyres sized 205/50 R17 which are designed for quieter, smooth and low-impact rides.
The electric power steering (EPS) is light and accurate, although as expected with many EPS, it feels numb and vague.
In terms of handling, the Vios felt composed and quite decently planted when tackling road corners at speed.
An all-round disc brake set-up on the Vios G grade provides ample stopping power.
Exterior-wise, the new Vios has a sleek and stylish, high-end fastback-like design, with a bold and prominent front grille as well as a sporty aerokit that stand out on the road.
The Vios G grade’s interior looks well designed for practicality and comfort - durable, hard-wearing plastics are well balanced by lots of soft touch materials on the doors and a padded front centre armrest as well as nice leather upholstery, and smooth and glossy plastic surfaces.
We also like the Vios G grade’s leather-clad seats, which were nicely supportive and comfortable.
Front cup holders are integrated on the corners of the dashboard – pull-out (left side) and push-down (right side) to use.
There’s a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support that is convenient as our Samsung smartphone easily and automatically connects to the system.
Rear occupants get air conditioning vents, built-in door cup holders and storage bins, and two USB ports (type-A and C).
Another USB-A port is on the infotainment head unit/touchscreen.
A minor niggle, spotted by the wife, was the lack of a vanity mirror for the front passenger.
Meanwhile, the front and rear parking sensors as well as a 3D Panoramic View Monitor system makes parking nearly effortless, especially in tighter spaces.
The roomy cabin translates into ample head, leg and shoulder room although the sporty, fastback-like design means rear headroom is just adequate for 1.7-metre people.
Boot space is still huge at 475 litres (compared with 509 litres on its predecessor).
Another nice touch is a luggage tray that covers the entire floor area of the boot - very useful when we store our sweaty workout shirts and wet market groceries.
There’s no spare tyre here, which also helps in weight reduction, and instead, under the boot floor, there’s a three-compartment storage space where the tyre repair kit is kept and other small items can be stored.
The new Vios is priced at RM89,600 (E Grade) and RM95,500 (G Grade) on-the-road without insurance.
Paying the RM5,900 extra for the Vios G Grade means extra features like rear disc brakes, sequential turn signal for rear LED lights, rain sensing wipers, 17-inch rims (instead of 16-inch), leather-clad steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, paddle shifters, 7-inch TFT multi-information display (instead of 4.2-inch), 64-colour ambient light illumination, automatic air-conditioning, interior LED lights, soft padding for door arm rest and centre console box, electric parking brake with Auto Brake Hold, extra two audio speakers (total of six speakers), leather-clad seats and gear lever (instead of fabric seats), as well as safety features like Lane Keeping Control (LKC), Auto High Beam (AHB) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Meanwhile, the Vios E Grade comes very well appointed with nice kit such as front and rear stabiliser bars, automatic LED headlights with Follow Me Home function, LED daytime running light (DRL), powered wing mirrors, acoustic windshield glass, rear air-conditioning vents, Smart Entry and push-start system, wireless charger, illuminated scuff plate, the 9-inch touchscreen audio with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB-A and one USB-C ports, and the luggage tray for boot floor.
Standard items also include six airbags, 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PDM), Pedal Mis-operation Control, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), front digital video recorder with smartphone connectivity, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, front and rear parking sensors, Premium security and solar film, and three-year free subscription for Vehicle Telematics System.
The Vios E Grade also has Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) features consisting of Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) and Front Departure Alert (FDA).
UMW Toyota Motor has done a good job of fitting the new Vios with nice appointments, and the car’s total package of a well-crafted interior, sleek body styling, fuel-efficient design and a fairly responsive powertrain result in a good deal of motoring comfort and driving ease.
SPECIFICATIONS
Toyota Vios 1.5G
Engine: 1,496cc 4-cylinder, in-line, 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Maximum power: 106PS at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 138Nm at 4,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Sequential Shiftmatic
Suspension: MacPherson struts (front); torsion beam (rear)
Features: All-round disc brakes, stabilizer bar (front and rear), electric power steering (EPS), automatic LED headlamps with Follow Me Home function, LED daytime running light, rear combination LED with Sequential Turn Signal, rain sensing wipers, powered wing mirrors with auto fold, signal lamps, Blind Spot Monitor, 17-inch alloy wheels, tyre repair kit, aerokits, RFID, leather steering, tilt and telescopic steering, paddle shifter, 7-inch TFT Multi Information Display (MID), automatic air-conditioning, smart entry and push start, wireless charger, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold, 9-inch display audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six audio speakers, 3 USB ports
Safety features: Six airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), brake assist, traction control, Hill-Start Assist (HSA), parking sensors (2 front, 4 rear), child seat ISOFIX, front digital video recorder (DVR) with Smartphone connectivity, premium security and solar film, Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) with 3-year free subscription, rear DVR (optional, costs RM380)
Advanced safety features: Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) - Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Front Departure Alert (FDA), Lane Keeping Control (LKC), Auto High Beam (AHB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC), 3D Panoramic View Monitor (3D PVM), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Warranty: Five years unlimited mileage, 24SEVEN Road Assist, three-year free subscription for Vehicle Telematics System
Price: RM95,500 on-the-road without insurance
