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Toyota Vios, still proudly made in PH, gets an update

The new version has just made its global premiere in our market

Squint your eyes and you’ll see Lexus’s spindle grille. PHOTO FROM TOYOTA

With nearly 320,000 units sold through three generations, the Toyota Vios is clearly the Japanese automaker’s hottest product in our market. Which makes it only fitting that the Philippines gets first dibs on the latest (read: refreshed) version of the popular subcompact sedan.

Today, Toyota Motor Philippines officially introduced the new Vios online in keeping with social-distancing protocols. Filipino customers are the first to receive this iteration, ahead of all other territories where the model is distributed. Best of all, the new Vios will still be assembled at TMP’s manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna. “Made by Filipinos for Filipinos,” TMP senior vice president Jing Atienza said during the press conference.

The new Vios looks more refined and classier than the outgoing version. Many will be happy. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

This update is mostly cosmetic. The top-of-the-line G variant (shown here) gets all the goodies: glossy black grille, three-tier LED headlights, daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, and LED rear combination lamps “with line guide.” Inside, the G variant has smart entry, push-start button, and paddle shifters and two drive modes (Eco and Sport) for CVT-equipped units—features that were already available on the outgoing version.

The current 1.5-liter 2NR-FE Dual VVT-i and 1.3-liter 1NR-FE Dual VVT-i gasoline engines soldier on under the hood of the new Vios. For the complete list of specs across all variants, see the spec sheet at the bottom.

Get the range-topping G variant if you want all these interior features. Just be ready to spend. PHOTOS FROM TOYOTA

One thing that’s new with the restyled Vios is the number of standard airbags. While the previous version had seven standard airbags across all variants (save for the belatedly released XLE), the new one gives buyers the option to choose between three and seven, depending on the variant. Thankfully, all variants still have antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control and hill-start assist. The G variant you see here adds a rear parking camera for enhanced safety.

Some variants have seven airbags; some have three. PHOTO FROM TOYOTA

The prices?

  • 1.5 G CVT (White Pearl) – P1,071,000
  • 1.5 G CVT – P1,056,000
  • 1.5 G MT (White Pearl) – P1,012,000
  • 1.5 G MT – P997,000
  • 1.3 E CVT – P891,000
  • 1.3 E MT – P841,000
  • 1.3 XLE CVT – P841,000
  • 1.3 XLE MT – P791,000
  • 1.3 XE CVT (7AB) – P753,000
  • 1.3 XE CVT – P747,000
  • 1.3 J MT (7AB) – P707,000
  • 1.3 J MT – P697,000
  • 1.3 Base MT (7AB) – P681,000
  • 1.3 Base MT – P671,000

Available exterior colors are: White Pearl, Super Red V, Grayish Blue Mica Metallic, Alumina Jade Metallic and Black for the G variant; Thermalyte, Red Mica Metallic, Blackish Red Mica, Grayish Blue Metallic, Alumina Jade Metallic and Black for the E and XLE variants; Freedom White, Thermalyte, Red Mica Metallic and Alumina Jade Metallic for the XE and J variants; and Freedom White and Thermalyte for the Base variant.

The new Toyota Vios will formally commence sales on Monday, July 27. If you’ve been eyeing this car, you know what to do.



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist since July 1995. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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