Proper commuter: Toyota Wigo G

Car buyers in the market for a commuter vehicle typically look for a ride that’s easy to own and easy to drive. And one nameplate has checked those two boxes — and more — for some 10 years.

The Toyota Wigo is a compact hatchback that has become a perennial choice for many Filipino families who want a respectable daily driver. Zigwheels Philippines got to spend some time with the G variant of the entry-level vehicle, and here are our thoughts after a few days behind the wheel.

City-friendly dimensions

The G trim of the current-generation Toyota Wigo is a bit larger than its predecessor. It has an overall length of 3,760 millimeters (mm), an overall width of 1,665 mm, and an overall height of 1,515 mm.

Despite its size, it offers owners a decent ground clearance at 160 mm. Its wheelbase measures 2,525 mm.

Overall, the dimensions of the Toyota Wigo G allowed for easy driving within the city.

Passing through tight thoroughfares — which could pose a challenge to drivers aboard a beefy sport utility vehicle — was made relatively simple. Slotting into parking spots also felt like a breeze. Likewise, going over speed bumps inside subdivisions or populated areas proved to be no problem.

Decent looks

The range-topping variant of the Toyota Wigo now wears more aggressive styling that follows the current design language of the brand.

At the fore, it wears a large grille with horizontal slats. Above the latticework is a chrome strip with the Toyota emblem in the middle. At the same level are split-type LED headlamps. Located below — right at the hatchback’s cheeks — are LED fog lamps.

Short is its bonnet and complements the angular chin, which overall gives it a sharp and snappy appeal.

The side profile of the Toyota Wigo G is highlighted by a sculpted flank, which appears to rise from the fringes and swell to the vehicle’s rear. It creates a sleek — almost athletic — look that somewhat gives the small hatch broad hips.

Notable too are its power-adjust, power-folding, body-colored side mirrors with repeaters; its body-tone door handles; blacked-out window surrounds; and its set of 14-inch monotone wheels wrapped in 175/65 series tires.

The backside of the Toyota Wigo G is adorned by a roof-mounted spoiler, a large rear glass, combination lamps with halogen bulbs, and a hydraulically-assisted hatch, which now has its own handle.

In general, the Toyota Wigo G offers growing Filipino families and young professionals a cool-looking commuter.

Packed with necessary features

Inside the Toyota Wigo G, the driver and the passengers will find that the compact car has been endowed with the necessary features for one’s daily driving needs.

Welcoming occupants are comfortably cushioned seats swathed in fabric upholstery. The crisscrossing pattern on the well-bolstered chairs looks decent, although I prefer the 90s-like motif used by one of its rivals, the Honda Brio.

The steering wheel lacks leather wrappings but comes with controls for calls and audio, which makes up for it. It is also embellished with a chrome Toyota badge as well as silver plastic appliques on its three spokes.

Past it is an analog instrument panel with a digital gauge on the side. Here, the numbers are quite legible and the information fed to the driver is easy to understand. It is complemented by an eight-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto.

The said connectivity features are helpful whether one wants to listen to music and podcasts or to look up one’s destination through navigation apps. For those commuting daily, music can be an important company and online map solutions can help plan journeys accordingly.

I love that the Toyota Wigo G is fitted with a digital climate control unit, which sits right below the air conditioning vents (where one can find the hazard lights button) on the dashboard and just above the center console (where one can locate the gear shifter with a faux leather boot). Beside it is the push-start ignition system.

Passengers at the back are provided with bench-type seats. And while it misses a pull-down armrest, it does offer ample cushioning to make both short and long trips comfortable.

The boot area of the Toyota Wigo G can carry decent luggage such as school bags or laptop pouches — making it ideal for moms and dads who squeeze in work at cafeterias while waiting for their little ones to finish school. With the seats folded down, it can accommodate a week’s worth of laundry or several bags full of groceries.

Engine, performance

Under the hood, the Toyota Wigo G packs a 998-cubic centimeter engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. Within the city, the powertrain setup offers decent performance and ease of driving since one wouldn’t have to constantly use the clutch and manually shift the stick when in stop-and-go traffic.

It makes 66 horsepower with 89 Newton-meters of torque.

Some “oomph” is wanted when taking the Toyota Wigo G to the expressways. It does take time to build up some speed and one may feel like every ounce of “grunt” has been squeezed from the small gasoline mill as it matches the pace of other vehicles on the open highway.

Further, driving the Toyota Wigo G on the freeway could feel like walking on concrete with thin slippers on. Road vibration feels more pronounced and the sound of the engine penetrates the cabin.

Stopping power comes from ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear, which facilitate decent deceleration and halts. It is fitted with MacPherson struts at the fore and uses a torsion beam setup at the back.

Safety

Toyota gave the top-of-the-line Toyota Wigo notable safety technologies. These include a slew of seatbelts and airbags, anti-lock braking, vehicle stability control, hill-climb assist, as well as an alarm and an immobilizer.

It also gets a rear camera out of the factory, two parking sensors at the back, and a digital video recorder.

Pricing

• Toyota Wigo G: P729,000

Here is where the Toyota Wigo G shines the brightest. For a little under P730,000 car buyers can drive home a top-tier model that comes with the reliability and dependability that the brand is known for.

Final thoughts

After spending a week with the Toyota Wigo G, we’re not surprised why many Filipino car buyers have stuck to this segment staple. It performs well in a city setting and provides commuters with an affordable solution to their daily driving needs.

It’s a proper commuter that will not break the bank.

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