A surprisingly thorough update of a segment favourite. The previous Vios was launched in 2013 and received a powertrain update in 2017. This new model is still based on the predecessor’s platform, but we are just surprised to receive such an extensive improvement this quickly.

As before, the Vios is a no brainer buy if you are shopping with an RM80k budget. Not the most exciting, but the improvements to the new model are substantial and praiseworthy. The choice to make if you are looking for a safe bet.

Narrow cabin

Drive this back-to-back against a Honda City, and the tightness of Toyota’s cabin really shows. Simply put, driver and front passenger shoulders are a lot closer in the Vios.

Poor storage solutions

We know Honda is the master of internal packaging, but the Vios’ centre console is very poorly laid out. Good luck finding a spot to chuck away your keys and mobile phone.

Fussy front end
Toyota gave the new Vios a heavily revised front end, but local distributors UMW Toyota saw fit to further add some plastic adornments to the grille. Our suggestion – take them off.

185/60 R15, 195/50 R16

Front - Ventilated Disc

Rear - Drum/ Solid Disc

Front - MacPherson Strut

Rear - Torsion Beam

1.5L, inline-4

FWD

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

1,730mm

Honda City: 1,694mm (-36)

Mazda 2: 1,695mm (-35)

TOYOTA VIOS

42L, Petrol

1,110 – 1,145kg

506L

1.5L

What's Good

What's Not

To Buy or

Not To Buy

?

What’s this?

- 2019 -

Assembled in Bukit Raja, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.

4,425mm

Honda City: 4,442mm (+17)

Mazda 2: 4,320mm (-105)

2,550mm

Honda City: 2,600mm (+50)

Mazda 2: 2,570mm (+20)

Mazda 2 - 115/6,000

7

Airbags

Brake Assist (BA)

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Hill-start Assist Control (HSA)

Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with RCTA*

Panoramic View Monitor*

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Traction Control (TRC)

Refinement

Toyota paid a lot of attention in this area, and the results of their efforts show, particularly on the highway. It is just so quiet on the move. Toyota may have built this new Vios on an existing platform, but it feels like they have thoroughly finetuned every little component.

Renowned reliability

Toyota cars are a byword for painless fuss-free motoring. Put petrol and go, says the adage. This is a car that will serve you faithfully.

360 degree camera

Not something you need in this segment, but doesn’t negate its usefulness. The Vios’ 360 cam is a locally-developed accessory and we are impressed at its rather seamless integration into the car.

Improved dynamics

The engineers put in a shift on the chassis tuning too. The new Vios steers more enthusiastically whilst retaining a useful degree of comfort.

1,475mm

Honda City: 1,477mm (+2)

Mazda 2: 1,495mm (+20)

PS/RPM

Toyota Vios - 107/6,000

Nm/RPM

Mazda 2 - 148/4,000

Toyota Vios - 140/4,200

Honda City 120/6,600

Honda City 145/4,600

1.5J: RM77,200

1.5E: RM81,200

1.5G: RM87,300

*1.5G & 1.5E variants only

RM908.99 / month

RM837.26 / month

1.5G

1.5E

1.5J

RM790.22 / month

RM118.77