The Toyota Vios isn’t exactly what you’d consider when going on a long road trip. Yes, it’s a decent car with comfort and good fuel economy but these are more suited to city life. But Toyota seems to want to prove a point when it took members of the motoring media on a long Ride and Drive from Metro Manila all the way to the City of Pines, Baguio City.
Starting off one early morning in August, the convoy of fourth-generation Vios, along with several Innovas, RAV4s, Rush, and Fortuners took a leisurely drive to 25 Seas Restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga. After a hearty meal, the group then proceeded to Aureo Hotel in La Union for some rest and relaxation.
The next morning, the participants headed up to Baguio and spent the rest of the day taking in the cold mountain air and the scenic spots. Here, they likewise got to try out the Vios going up and down the Summer Capital. And this was quite a revelation as the Vios, despite having the same 1.5-liter Dual VVT-I motor with 106hp and 140Nm of torque mated to either a CVT or manual gearbox, somehow felt more responsive. This allowed drivers to tackle the steep inclines a lot easier.
