So Which Toyota Vios is For You?

By Gerard
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January 22, 2018

For quite some time now, the Toyota Vios has been the best-selling vehicle in the country. One doesn’t need to check the sales charts to see that this erstwhile Toyota sedan is all over the place. Simply hail a taxicab or Uber, for instance, and chances are, a Vios will pull up.

Of course, the Toyota Vios isn’t just meant for the fleet accounts.  While a large slice of the sales pie belongs to the taxi fleets, even ordinary folk like youg professionals and people with small families looking for a no-nonsense mode of transport still opt for the Toyota sedan. But with so many variants being offered by Toyota, one wonders which one they should get.

Toyota Motor Philippines offers no less than 6 variants of the Vios. Beginning with the Vios 1.3 Base, one gets what the name implies—basic transportation. Sure, it’s got power steering but doesn’t have power windows and door locks. One has to lock each door manually and roll down the windows using a winder. It’s for those taxi fleets and folks that simply want to get from point A to B without the frills.

Powering the Vios Base is the 1NR-FE 1,329cc DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder motor with Toyota’s dual VVT-I or variable valve timing technology. It is good for 98hp at 6,000rpm and 123Nm at 4,400rpm. It is mated to 5-speed manual gearbox.

Those that want a bit more modern stuff, such as power windows and door locks, and a CD/MP3 sound system can go for the Vios 1.3J. Still powered by the same 1.3-liter mill and 5-speed row-it-yourself gearbox, this one sits in the middle of the range.

Photos below of the 2018 Toyota Vios by: Sabina Cruz, taken at the Singapore Motor Show

And those that want a modern form of transport but don’t exactly want or need all those electronic doodads found on today’s cars can opt for either the 1.3 E or the top-spec 1.5G. The former has all the power features found on today’s cars—windows, door locks, outer mirrors, as well as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with CD/MP3, Bluetooth, and Voice Control.  It is motivated by the 1.3-liter lump but has the option of a Continuously Variable Transmission with Sequential Control.

The latter offering, on the other hand, gets all the trimmings that one expects of a modern-day subcompact. Apart from the aforementioned modcons, the 1.5G receives a 2NR-FE 1.5-liter DOHC, 16-valve inline-4 with dual VVT-I, dishing out 106hp at 6,000rpm and 140Nm at 4,2000 revs. Buyers only get the CVT.

Of course, this top-spec model also gets a load of safety gear. Dual SRS airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, as well as Toyota Vehicle Security System. It does, however, omit stuff like pshbutton start.

In the end, the Toyota Vios you choose depends on your priorities. If you simply need basic transport, then go for one of the lower spec variants. But if you want something extra yet don’t really want to embrace all the tech in today’s rides, then the top-of-the-line model should do just fine.

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About the Author

Mr. Gerard Jude Castillo
Gerard has been a self-confessed car nut ever since he was a little boy. As a grown-up, he indulges in his passion by collecting toy cars (which he started since childhood) and reading up on the latest cars out there.  As Associate Editor, he will ensure that you get your fill of the latest cars in the market, as well as a load of automotive features.