The Toyota Vios marks the spot

With six trims to choose from, it isn’t hard to see why so many Filipinos have gravitated to the Toyota Vios and made it one of the best-selling models in the country.

But prior to the arrival of both the Vios XE (January 2019) and the Vios XLE (November 2019), there were only four trims available – the Vios 1.3 Base, Vios 1.3 J, Vios 1.3 E, and the Vios 1.5 G (which includes the G Prime).

The aim of the Vios XE was to make Filipinos experience the wonders of the CVT (continuously variable transmission) in the Vios by pricing it affordably while the Vios XLE’s target are buyers who wish to modify and customize their Vios to suit their needs and preferences.

Looking at the whole picture, it’s hard not to appreciate the effort of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) to ensure that whatever your budget may be, there’s a Vios that’s just right for you.

So, without further ado, we take a look at features, specs, and amenities of the latest Vios trims to join the stable, the XE and the XLE.

First off, the Vios now comes with a leveled-up look that adds sophistication and style courtesy of the “keen look” of the facade. It now uses a grille similar to the Corolla Altis – slim V-shape that connects to the headlamps on either side and the wide air intake at the bottom.

It measures 4,425mm long, 1,730mm wide, 1,475mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2,550mm.

Both the Vios XE and Vios XLE share the same 1NR-FE inline-four engine with a few features including Stop & Start technology, EFI (electronic fuel injection), and Dual VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence).

Stop-and-start technology functions by automatically shutting down and restarting the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time it spends idling for reduced fuel consumption and emissions

EFI is a system that allows for very precise control over how much fuel is sprayed into the cylinders by taking cues from the mass airflow sensor (MAF) that determines how much air is entering the engine at any given time. This improves cold and hot starting performance, provides optimum air/fuel mixture for starting, and allows for superior atomization that results from injection of the fuel as compared to fuel delivery from a carburetor.

Dual VVT-i works by adjusting timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts to allow engine start and stop to occur almost unnoticeably at minimum compression. It also rapidly heats up the catalytic converter, sending it to its light-off temperature to be able to significantly reduce hydrocarbon emissions.

The engine uses an aluminum block with streamlined intake channels for less turbulence and smaller and lighter pistons with carbon ceramide (an advanced material commonly used in Formula One engineering) to reduce friction.

Power output is 98hp and 123Nm of torque sent to a CVT for the Vios XE and a CVT or a five-speed manual transmission (MT) for the Vios XLE.

Exterior features include four-beam halogen headlamps, LED front fog lamps (for the Vios XLE only), black outer mirrors for the Vios XE and color-keyed outer mirrors for the Vios XLE, side turn signal lamp on the fenders, black door outside handles for the Vios XE and color-keyed door outside handles for the Vios XLE, pole-type antenna on the Vios XE and fine-type antenna for the Vios XLE, bulb-type rear combination lamps, and 14-inch steel wheels with full cap on the Vios XE and 15-inch alloy wheels on the XLE.

The meter gauge on the Vios XE is an analog system, while Vios XLE uses Optitron, which is a colored LED system that backlights the instrument cluster to make it easy on the eyes.

Climate controls are manual for both the Vios XE and XLE.

One of the great cabin features of both trims is the upgraded infotainment system that is standard on both trims. It uses a seven-inch touchscreen display with CD + MP3 + Weblink for iOS and Android + Bluetooth + USB + Aux-in. Audio is sent to two speakers in the Vios XE while the Vios XLE gets four speakers.

Steering wheel is a plain three-spoke urethane without audio controls in the Vios XE but the Vios XLE already gets audio switches.

Steering column is tilt-adjustable and comes with EPS (electric power steering), which is more fuel efficient compared to hydraulic systems as it doesn’t use power from the engine to turn the vehicle.

As these are still entry-level units, the shift lever and knob are of urethane material and it uses a rotary or mechanical ignition system.

Modern “power” features including power windows with jam protection on the driver’s side window and power door locks on the driver’s side as well. Side mirrors on the Vios XLE are power-adjustable already.

Safety features include driver and passenger airbags, knee airbags (driver’s side only), side and curtain shield airbags are available as indent order, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, two three-point ELR (emergency locking retractor) seatbelts with pretensioner and force limiter in front and three three-point ELR seatbelts in the second row, child lock protection on second row doors, and a high-mount stop lamp.

The Vios XLE also comes with TVSS (Toyota Vehicle Security System) and a wireless door locking system.

For the P40,000 worth of accessory options, customers can choose to modify their Vios units with an array of exciting interior and exterior add-ons. They can mix-and-match the Vios accessory packages, including but not limited to: Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED fog lamps, Back Camera, aero kits, and select TRD pieces with 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Vios XE comes in White, Thermalyte, Red Mica Metallic, and Alumina Jade Metallic. Starting price is P747,000.

The Vios XLE comes in Thermalyte, Red Mica Metallic, Blackish Red Mica, Grayish Blue Mica Metallic, Alumina Jade Metallic, and Black. Starting price is P791,000.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines