TOYOTA has gone all out with redesigning the Vios, its premier B-segment sedan, with the fourth-generation model looking miles apart from its predecessors.
The only resemblance is a returning engine that itself has also undergone a re-tune.
There are now adjustable levelling LED headlamps at the front with daytime running lights. It also has the Follow-Me-Home feature as well as spats in certain areas to guide airflow and air vents to enhance cooling performance of the brakes.
The rear air spats control and suppress airflow on the tyres and accelerates underside flow to balance with the upper side for improved stability. The aeroblades for the windscreen wipers are also specially designed for less wind resistance.
The 2023 Vios is built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform, which has a longer wheelbase of 2,620 mm (+70 mm), large-diameter wheels with suspension comprising MacPherson struts at the front and a rear torsion beam.
The dimensions have marginally increased due to the shortening of the front and rear overhangs, with the overall length now at 4,425mm (+5mm), and width at 1,740mm (+10mm).
The new Vios is 110kg lighter than its predecessor, with the 1.5G variant weighing only 1,035kg compared to 1,145kg for the 3rd-generation's G variant.
To achieve this, Toyota decided to forego the rear folding seats and spare tyre (in its place is a tyre repair kit), on top of some redesigning, most noticeably in the cabin.
The new Vios comes in two variants: 1.5G with advanced features and 1.5E.
Both use a retuned 1.5-litre 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine that's paired to a new seven-speed Sequential Shiftmatic continuously variable transmission.
The setup delivers a maximum power rated at 106PS at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 138Nm at 4,200rpm. It has three drive modes: Power, Eco and Normal.
The 1.5G gets paddle shifters, disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, electronic parking brake, auto brake hold and the auto rain sensing wiper system.
Both run on newly designed alloy wheels, although the 1.5G has the larger 17-inch 205/60 tyres while the 1.5E has 16-inch with 195/60 tyres.
For the interior, the 1.5G gains a host of added features, such as leather seat upholstery and a 3D yarn structure, 64-colour ambient lighting accompanied by illuminated scuff plates on each door sill and front footwell lighting, and steering wheel telescopic adjustment.
It also has a customisable seven-inch digital multi-information display (MID) instrument panel.
On the other hand, the 1.5E is fitted with a 4.2-inch MID with Optitron meters.
The central nine-inch touchscreen display panel used for the audio and infotainment systems has wireless connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Both variants come with a front digital video recorder (DVR) with smartphone connectivity, smart entry and a push-start system.
Boot space is at 475 litres with a depth of 1,060mm.
The Toyota Safety Sense suite is present, offering pre-collision braking, pre-collision system, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention system, and front departure alert, among others.
A new safety feature is Pedal Misoperation Control that suppresses engine output if an obstacle like a wall is detected ahead when the pedal is depressed, with brakes applied if necessary.
The Vehicle Telematics System is available at no charge for the first three years of ownership.
The locally assembled fourth-generation Vios is available in five colour options of Platinum White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Attitude Black and the new Spicy Scarlet.
The 1.5E is priced at RM89,600 on-the-road without insurance while the 1.5G is priced at RM95,500.