It doesn’t look like much has changed, but the new Vios packs the right amount of updates to keep showrooms filled with would-be buyers

The Toyota Vios was never the most exciting car in its segment. And it continued to disappoint us at the drive of the “New Toyota Vios”, visually at least. A cosmetic overhaul that only affected the wheels and optional bodykit hardly constitutes a facelift, even by the standards of a company often accused of repackaging the same vehicle for multiple lifecycles. But the new red hue aggressively branded as Crimson Spark Red Metallic is admittedly good looking.

There’s a twist to the story, though. Curiously enough, most of the Vios’s new bits are hidden from the naked eye. We’re not just talking about new bushes and spark plugs. Yes, there are new Iridium numbers, but they’re now hooked up to a completely new powertrain made up of a 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine and a CVT with Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode – a surprising degree of change considering the fact that even some of Toyota’s new models, redesigned beyond recognition, can’t even boast of having new engines.

The curious case continues as the new 2NR-FE engine’s output of 106bhp and 140Nm marks a 2bhp/1Nm reduction from what the outgoing 1NZ-FE unit is capable of. Toyota insists the focus is on efficiency, and the new CVT outdoes the finally retired 4-speed auto with fuel efficiency gains of up to 18 percent, on paper at least. Those who’d rather burn a few extra litres for a more natural drive will be happy to know that the 5-speed manual transmission for the most affordable J variant has been retained.

Even if you opt for cheap thrills – the three-pedalled 1.5 J now starts at RM76,500 with new EEV incentives taken into account – you will still be able to enjoy the added layer of safety provided by VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and Traction Control. Neither of these passive features was available in the Vios before, not even in the range toppers. Pressured by the existence of feature-packed Protons and Kias, Toyota has finally made them standard across the range, so kudos for that.

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Being a media event, our drive only included the bank-busting, belt-driven GX and TRD Sportivo variants, basking in the glory of their love-or-hate bumper garnishes and side skirts. The point was for us to experience the new CVT, which was immediately stressed as the convoy quickly pulled beyond national limits on the North South Expressway as we hustled towards Malacca. The common CVT quandaries show whenever the throttle is more than halfway depressed. And the sense of sluggishness isn’t helped by a new engine whose updates don’t include more horses.

While getting up to speed can be a drag, maintaining momentum is a lot more pleasant. A steady cruise allowed us to appreciate the cabin’s newfound refinement at high speed. The Vios’s NVH has benefited tremendously from the change of transmission, an improvement that’s clearly more apparent than efficiency gains off the bat. There’s also sufficient comfort to complement the quietness, a point validated by the occasional snore from the back seat.

Not content with our snub at the consumption figures of the Vios, Toyota arranged an interesting fuel challenge for us at the Malacca International Motorsport Circuit. The goal was to see how far we could go on a litre of petrol before the car stalled, so the organisers disconnected the engine from the main fuel tank and installed a one-litre fuel tank in the engine bay, under the supervision of a couple of technical experts of course.

Since the sun was lounging in the clouds that day, we decided to give in to the trend of keeping the AC off for maximum mileage. As the occasional bead of sweat formed on our foreheads, we played with the throttle to find the sweet spot, only to be stumped by the flexibility of the CVT in keeping the engine running at circa 1,000rpm from 30-60kph. We decided on 40kph as it was the most we could carry into the corners without hitting the brakes. This strategy got us to 22.3km before we rolled to a halt – an impressive feat we thought, but nowhere near the winning distance of 24.6km.

So it is as fuel efficient as it is quiet. But has Toyota done enough to slingshot the Vios to top spot in the B-segment? Probably not quite. It still looks and feels very dated, especially beside more futuristic-looking competitors like the Honda City and Mazda2. Even the homegrown Proton Persona is mounting an assault on the Japanese status quo with commendable specs and good driving dynamics.

However, revisions to the powertrain keep the Vios relevant enough, preserving its crown as the go-to sedan for non-enthusiasts looking for an A-to-B vehicle that’s cheap to run and virtually bulletproof. The added safety features should draw more buyers too, so expect to see a bunch of these plying our roads very soon. If you can tell it apart from the old one, that is.

Specs

Toyota Vios 1.5
Price: RM76,500-RM96,400
Engine: 1,496cc, 4-cylinder DOHC with Dual VVT-i, 106bhp, 140Nm
Transmission: CVT with 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic
Weight: 1,060-1,115kg

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