Small cars, big rivalry: 2023 Honda Brio vs. 2023 Toyota Agya/Wigo

The revised 2023 Honda Brio, which underwent some exterior and interior modifications, was recently unveiled in Indonesia. This generated some buzz especially since the small hatchback came hot on the heels of the Toyota Wigo, also known as the 2023 Perodua Axia/Toyota Agya, which is a new model from the ground up. 

Both hatchbacks aren’t available in the market yet, but both the Honda and Toyota models are touted to be direct rivals. As we’ve seen with their predecessors, the Brio and Wigo have been trying to offer more fuel efficiency, interior space, and an easier drive than the other. Buyers seem to prize the cars for these qualities, so it’s little wonder that they regularly appear on our ‘Popular Cars comparison’ tab. 

So as we await the 2023 Honda Brio and 2023 Toyota Wigo to land on our shores, let’s take a look at what they have to offer once they do.

Exterior

The regular Brio Satya and top-of-the-line Brio RS versions of the little subcompact hatchback are available.

The updated Honda Brio RS now stands out even more thanks to its sharper design and a host of additional features. Some of the exterior changes made to the Honda Brio RS include LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, a dark chrome front grille design with the RS emblem, a power retractable black door mirror with LED turn signals, a front bumper design, smoked rear combination lamps, a rear bumper design with diffuser, 15-inch dark chrome sporty alloy wheels, and a new smart entry system.

The 2023 Honda Brio Satya MT and CVT now sport a more enticing and stylish exterior to match daily activities. These versions may be recognized by their larger air dam from the Brio RS, LED headlights, updated chrome grille, two-tone 14-inch alloy wheels, and these features. 

Like its forerunners, the 2023 Toyota Wigo is virtually similar to the 2023 Toyota Agya, Daihatsu Ayla, and Perodua Axia, with the last two brands being under Toyota’s ownership. The trio will be visually distinct, however, and the Toyota versions will see a GR Sport variant. 

The first difference between the normal Agya and the future Axia is in the placement of the LEDs; whereas the Agya's LEDs are positioned above the primary beam units on the Axia, the Axia's are positioned lower within the headlamp assembly. Moving down, the front bumper of the Agya has been given recessed LED daytime running lights that are vertically oriented. The Agya and the 2023 Axia look to have similar silhouettes when viewed in profile. The standard model displayed at the Indonesian premiere appears to be equipped with single-tone, silver-finish alloy wheels that may measure 14 inches in diameter, while the GR Sport model is equipped with dual-tone, machined-finish alloy wheels that appear to be slightly larger and may measure 15 inches.

Interior and Key Features

The Honda Brio RS's interior has undergone a variety of improvements that make commuting easier, more pleasurable, and more comfortable. A push-start ignition system, a multi-information LCD display in the instrument cluster, and a seven-inch sophisticated capacitive touchscreen audio display are some of these enhancements. The dashboard panel pattern is also sporty.

A new auto up/down window with anti-pinch, a new interior color, a new seat pattern design, a new dashboard, and door lining blended with gray on the roof lining, and more are now included in the inside of the 2023 Honda Brio Satya.

With a few small variations like the air conditioning controls and what appears to be a more basic analog driver instrumentation system as compared to the Axia's digital system, the 2023 Wigo interior's dashboard design is nearly identical to that of the 2023 Perodua Axia.

This could be the less advanced equipment in the standard version of the 2023 Toyota Agya because the model lacks an unmistakably sportier appearance. The 2023 Axia's top trim level's more contemporary seven-inch TFT instrument panel might potentially be placed in the GR Sport. The standalone infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay. A 12-volt/120-watt power outlet is situated in front of the gear lever, ahead of the two cup holders.

Powertrain

The rest of the 2023 Honda Brio retains the same specifications as the first 2019 model. It still runs on a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder i-VTEC engine. It remains the most powerful option in its class with 89 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque. The only available transmission options are the five-speed manual or CVT.

The 1.0-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline three gasoline engine that drives the current generation Wigo in the Philippines is still available in lower models of the 2023 Ayla/Wigo. Why was the 1.0-liter engine kept in these cars? Daihatsu/Toyota claims that most of its customers, particularly first-time buyers, liked the 1.0-liter engine because they were searching for a reasonably priced vehicle with good performance. The one-liter is combined with a five-speed manual transmission or CVT, which replaces the old four-speed auto. 

Verdict

Time can only tell whether it’s Honda’s tweaking of a 2019 model or Toyota’s creation of an all-new vehicle that will prove to be the winning formula. However, buyers looking for economical and reliable transport will win either way. 

Photos from Honda, Toyota, Perodua