UMW Toyota has released in Malaysia a brand new Toyota Vios and we take it for a test drive.
This Vios front design comes with a more powerful look with sleek LED headlamps on either side. There is also a ‘Follow-Me-Home’ feature which keeps the lights on for a short while to illuminate the area ahead of the car for the convenience of the driver and passengers.
The turn signal lights have a sequential display, a feature usually found on more expensive cars.
For the Vios 1.5G which is priced at RM95,500, there is the convenience of an Auto Rain Sensing Wiper system which will automatically activate the windscreen wipers when rain begins to fall on the glass.
The Vios 1.5G has disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels. This variant also comes with an Electronic Parking Brake and Auto Brake Hold for more convenient operation.
With the longer wheelbase the rear passengers get more head room, hip room and shoulder room. However, the fastback design takes away some extra rear headroom that basketball players might need.
Providing for the premium cabin environment is 64-colour ambient lighting, usually offered in more expensive models. With the Vios 1.5G, up to 64 colours can be chosen for the ambient lighting to suit different moods or preferences.
The cockpit for the Vios 1.5G has a digital instrument panel which can be customized while the Vios 1.5E is fitted with a Optitron meters that are bright and clear.
The Multi-Information Display (7-inches for the Vios 1.5G, 4.2-inches for the Vios 1.5E) provides the driver with all the necessary information which can be selected using switches on the steering wheel.
The 9-inch touchscreen display panel is used for the audio system and infotainment system as well as the 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM). With wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, smartphone apps (Waze and Spotify) can be easily transferred to the screen and used by the driver.
Under the hood is a 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine. Engine response has been improved compared to the engine used previously, with maximum power rated at 106PS at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 138Nm at 4,200 rpm.
Both variants get a brand new continuously variable transmission (CVT). This is a 7-speed CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic transmission which has a manual mode.
Active Safety has been greatly improved in the new Vios with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), an integrated suite of active safety systems.
Provided in this new Vios is a Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) which can constantly track the car’s location using GPS/GSM signals.
In conclusion, with selling prices rising by just 6 to 7 percent lets not forget the added safety features and comfort equipment. So, this new Vios is priced right and will continue to offer reliable, trouble-free motoring for years to come.
Add to this is the fact that you have an after sales network that is strong and well trained to cope with this new Vios. Let us not forget resale values which have remained strong over the decades and will continue to do so.
