It should be clearly obvious by now that the Toyota Vios is the country’s best-selling vehicle. Its sheer numbers make it almost impossible to stand on any street and not see one parked or drive by. But just because it flies off showroom floors as is doesn’t mean it no longer needs a little makeover.

The Vios has a tried-and-tested formula of reliability and unbeatable bang for the buck so the refreshed front fascia, which includes a redesigned front air dam and fog lamp housings, gives the car a sportier look. The headlamp assemblies get a bit of a spruce up as well. The overall update might be subtle, but it is no doubt done very tastefully.

Brighter roads ahead await the Vios owner with the G grade’s three-tiered headlamps with LED line guides which function as daytime running lamps. Not only does this benefit driving safety at night and in bad weather, it gives passers-by a good reason to give the range-topping Vios a second look. The LED treatment also applies to the fog lamps which are equipped on XLE and higher variants.

Doing duty in the Vios are the dependable NR-series engines. The 1.3-liter produces 98hp and 123Nm, and the 1.5-liter is rated at 106hp and 140Nm. Each engine is guaranteed to take everything under the sun, whether its crawling in traffic or cruising on the highway. And what’s not to love about improved fuel economy, thanks to Dual VVT-i technology and smooth five-speed manual and continuously variable transmissions.

The Vios is also the same solid haven for its passengers. While the XLE and lower variants already get three airbags from the factory, E and G grades have a total of seven airbags as standard equipment. This highlights the level of safety engineered into each car. Additionally, all vehicles come with a comprehensive set of driver aids such as antilock brakes, stability control, and hill-start assist.

That’s not to say that the Vios is pure business and no joy. Occupants will not only rest easy from the car’s safety features but they can also expect every trip to be enjoyable and relaxing. All vehicles come with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, with XE and higher grades sporting 7-inch touchscreen infotainment systems with phone mirroring. The G variant even gets luxurious touches such as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, push-to-start button, and power retractable mirrors.

The Toyota Vios is something that will simply keep working, no matter what. It remains a dependable companion on the road, and a worthy member of every household. On account of what it can offer for its price, this car certainly deserves a second look.

This branded article was produced in partnership with Toyota Motor Philippines.