It’s no big secret if you ask me, the whole world knows that Toyota has launched their latest third generation Vios in most parts of the world - eg. Singapore and Thailand. But in Malaysia sadly, it has yet to arrive.
For the benefit of all our Malaysian readers, here’s a sneak preview. Starting with the specifications for this new Toyota vehicle, I would say that it’s a much, much better looking car. The all-new Vios is based on the Yaris hatchback’s platform, but has a 90mm longer wheelbase. It’s also 50mm up on the current Vios’ wheelbase.
From it’s exterior appearance, it resembles a scaled down version of the Japanese domestic market’s Camry. Looks wise, it has a cheery face and nicely sculpted lines making the current Vios suddenly look very dowdy indeed. Overall the new Vios has all the ‘anything and everything‘ that a compact saloon car should have.
One thing I noticed from the pictures here are that the nose is practically all front bumper. Loaded with plenty of squishy, impact absorbing plastic coverings. Where the engine is concerned, there’s no change here, as the 109bhp 1.5-litre VVT-i engine has been carried over from the current model.
The new Vios is longer than the Yaris, so you would expect an improvement in comfort. One aspect where the new Vios really scores is in the interior. Considering the car’s compact size, you would never guess that there’d be quite so much room on the inside. Helped by a completely flat floor at the back, being relegated to the back is no hardship at all.
A passing resemblance of a Yaris interior, the new Vios still finds room to have a standalone feel overall. The inverted triangle arrangements of the centre console gives out a high quality look to the cabin. Another plus point on this new Vios is the availability of a split-folding rear seats on the G variant.
It is without doubt that the current Vios has been immovably perched at the top of the compact saloon sales charts virtually since the very first day it was launched. This new third generation Vios is immeasurably better in all respects, definitely doesn’t look to change the status quo one bit.
So if you’re wondering when will this launch take place in Malaysia? I would safely think it to be towards the end of the year, maybe in the months of October or November.
