THE Toyota Vios made its first appearance in Malaysia in 2003 and since then it has been a best seller for UMW Toyota, generation after generation.
The current Vios was launched in Malaysia in January 2019 and this new model was designed to keep customers coming back as the Nissan Almera 2nd generation was on its way and the previous segment leader, the Honda City was getting a brand new model.
Now comes news that UMW Toyota is giving the current Vios more safety features and some visual enhancements to give middle class customers a headache on which showroom to visit.
Yes, they have to choose between the new Nissan Almera, Honda City or this refreshed Vios.
This sub-compact 1.5-litre Vios has established itself as a popular-selling entry-level sedan, enjoying a good record in safety, reliability, practicality and has the distinction of being a value for money proposition.
This means, UMW Toyota has to be careful in its new pricing structure as this Vios’ current pricing starts at RM77,200 for the 1.5J, RM81,200 for the 1.5E and RM87,300 for the 1.5G. Therefore, it is already side by side with the selling prices of the new Almera and City.
Now sporting a more chiseled front bumper, the car’s makeover includes a new grille design, an Aero kit which comes fitted with a front lip, and defined by new triple bezel fully LED Headlights with built-in Daytime Running Light (DRL).
The new headlights are also wired with follow-me-home function for greater safety and convenience. This feature is extended throughout the introductory, intermediate and top of the range J, E and G variants, respectively.
The first in its segment to have been awarded with a 5-star Asean NCAP safety rating, this refreshed Vios now comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) features that incorporates a pre-collision system (PCS) and a lane departure alert (LDA).
PCS is activated from 15km/h to reduce the risk of colliding with a preceding car, alerting the driver once it detects a vehicle within the colliding distance, and assists to reduce vehicle speed as additional support to the driver.
LDA meanwhile, is activated from a speed of 50km/h and above, and alerts drivers to an unintended lane change by giving a visual alert on the car’s Multi-Info Display and a beeping sound. This system can also be turned off at the discretion of the driver.
These are in addition to existing safety features built into the car in the form of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Front as well as Rear Digital Video Recorders (DVRs).
It is also the only car in its segment to be fitted with seven SRS airbags (dual front, side, curtains and driver’s knee protection).
The enhanced Vios also features an all-new 3D 360-degree panoramic view monitor, giving the driver a surround and unobstructed front, rear, top, sides and three dimensional virtual views of the vehicle.
To ensure that customers enjoy the best of navigation applications, connectivity and infotainment, the enhanced Vios is now topped with a 7 inch Android Auto-Ready & Apple CarPlay (AACP).
Vehicle Telematics System is also made as a standard feature for the Vios (G&E variants) in line with the company’s direction to enhance Connectivity under its 360-T Plus brand experience.
Offered with a choice of two new colours, Orange Metallic and Platinum White Pearl, customers can also opt from existing colours available that include Dark Blue Metallic, Red Mica Metallic and Silver Metallic.
Available for online bookings and also at all authorized Toyota showrooms nationwide immediately, the Vios is backed by a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage. – The Vibes, November 17, 2020
Toyota Vios 1.5 Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line, 16-valve, DOHC with VVT-i
Displacement: 1,496cc
Transmission: CVT with 7-Speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic
Max power: 107hp at 6,000hp
Max torque: 140Nm at 4200rpm
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