The King of Bestsellers: The Toyota Vios

 

A White Pearl-colored Vios "G" Trim
(courtesy of Toyota)

         You might see them everywhere. They swarm in the streets almost everyday. You may also see them as government or police vehicles. You may ride them as taxi cabs. If you're lucky enough to enroll at a nice driving school, you might drive one of these. Toyota's offer of true reliability, great quality plus the relaxation of everyday driving makes this the bestselling sub-compact sedan in the Asian markets.

"Trivia: The name 'Vios' is latin for 'To move forward'. One of Toyota's slogan in Asia."

Interior comparison, "Base" to "G" Trims

(courtesy of Toyota)

Interior quality? Well do you think it's enough? You got a very generous interior space for you, your cups or bottles, comfy seats, a USB port for MP3s, a center console along with a sophisticated feel-at-home design. This car clearly shows Toyota's "fun-to-drive" factor at it's best. Even the base model of the car looks decent with an option to add an aftermarket radio later (a touchscreen would be cool).

There are slight changes with the dashboard design which was a departure from both the first and second generation models. The criticized "center-dash cluster" no longer exists on the third generation models. It returns to a conventional location. You might wonder where is that. On the driver's seat of course. The dashboard design looks like it took some design cues from the Toyota Avalon (Toyota USA's flagship sedan) and the Toyota Auris (Toyota Japan's Sports Liftback). 

"Though I wish they retained the central instrument panel for more visibility on the road. That way, drivers can learn to maintain speed and acceleration without looking at the speedometer and tachometer most of the time. That is something unique from Toyota."



Third generation Instrument panel
(courtesy of Toyota)

As I said about the instrument cluster, it no longer has that cool fading optitron but it does have a bright LED lights on the meters and the needles for easy reading at night. The cluster design is neat and sporty.

With the bluish color and lighting, it feels cool when you take a peak at night. Glad to see the dashboard design the same for all trims. Even if you drive one of the base models, I assure you it won't make you feel boring when you check your mileage or fuel gauge.

"S" trim Instrument panel
(courtesy of Toyota)

There is however the "S" trim only exclusive to Thailand since the Vios originally was designed in Thailand alongside Japanese collaborators. The "S" trim has a reddish hue with a darker blue on the edges. Aside from that, both gauge designs are similar. And the "S" trim offer automatic climate control as an added bonus.

I just wished they added a temperature meter. The fuel meter is already readable. But it's alright. I know Toyota's commitment of safety and quality they put in their most reliable cars. These Toyota's last forever if you take good care of them. It may last an eternity if you do. I own a second generation "G" trim and it still runs smooth like it was fresh from the factory.

 

Trunk space that fits even the biggest of bags
(courtesy of Toyota)

Worry about Trunk space? Will it fit even golf clubs for golfers? If the first and second generation of the Vios can, the third generation surely can. Trunk space is decent.

There is more space you can put in. You can even fold the seats at the back if you have to. Just make sure you know your weight limits. Don't expect a sub-compact sedan to act like a pick-up truck or you'll strain it's nicely tuned suspensions faster than you expect.



Bottles fit like a glove!

(courtesy of Toyota)



"I ain't gonna lie to you. Even the second generation of Vios has the one of the best trunk space for a sub-compact sedan in the market so far."



A Brief History of the Toyota Vios

Toyota Platz
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

The Toyota Vios was based on a small sub-compact sedan called the Toyota Platz. It was known for its fuel economy. A true gas saver. However its main roots traces back to the sub-compact Toyota Tercel which was the first front-wheel driven car ever produced by Toyota.

Just like the Vios, the Tercel and it's later successors, the Platz, the Soluna and the Echo/Yaris were designed to produced lesser emissions for a eco-friendly environment. 




Known as the Soluna Vios in Thailand. Soluna being the Tercel.

I was able to test drive the first of the Vios generation both in automatic and manual gearboxes. I have to say it felt sporty at the same time comfortable. I love how the digital dash is viewed despite some adjusting times I had to make. It was a fun drive in the end.
 

 

Known as the Belta in Japan. Yaris/Yaris Sedan in US/Canada and Australia

This generation of the Vios is the one I came to know and love. The Belta in Japan. This generation also improved it's interior design and space bearing more than the previous generation has to offer. A really nice touch I have to say.



The Vios reliable "NZ" engine
(courtesy of fastmotoring)

When talking about engines, people want the fast and the furious. The Vios doesn't need high horsepower but a reliable engine built by Toyota, the NZ engine. This engine originated from the roots of the Prius, a hybrid car that utilizes both petrol and electric.

No wonder why the Vios is one of the most fuel efficient cars until now. The Vios comes with both the 1.5 liter and 1.3 liter petrol engines. Since the car is mostly lightweight, this car takes off quite fast no matter what trims you're in. You will feel the rush of speed once you get the car working some speed. You won't get disappointed at all. Handling-wise, it takes corners nicely and more responsive as compared to its earlier generations. The comfortable trips and driving experience will always be memorable.

Final Verdicts

"G" Trim logo with chrome panel treatment
(taken from a local Toyota Showroom)

After test driving one of the third gens out on the road, I'd say Toyota did a great job with handling and acceleration. The guys from Toyota Thailand kept their promise by improving the Vios even further. Though one thing that bothers me is the radio position. It should have been on the bottom of the middle A/C vents. That is one note I have to point out. Hope they will release a fading optitron effect on the instrument clusters next time. All I can think of is the letter "G" for Greatastic!

Lonely Driver feels: Very Impressed
My Ratings:4.8 out of 5 stars.

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*For more information about Toyota products and services. Visit Toyota Global