Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Practically the same car, different target market

Updated Nov 15, 2022

A comparison between the Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris. Mechanically the same cars but a bit different. And no, it's more than just the Yaris being a hatch.

In this article...

  1. 1. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Introduction
  2. 2. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Exterior
  3. 3. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Interior
  4. 4. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris Philippines: Engine & Performance
  5. 5. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Safety
  6. 6. Toyota Yaris vs Toyota Vios: Price and Variants
  7. 7. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris Philippines: Verdict

1. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Introduction

As most of you already know, the Toyota Yaris subcompact hatchback, at least here in the Philippines, is based on the Vios subcompact sedan; after all, they’re virtually riding on the same chassis, powered by the same engine and transmission choices. There are, however, some significant differences.

While usually, we pit two models against each other in terms of specs to see which is better, this Toyota Yaris vs Toyota Vios comparison might be a little different in that these two models are virtually the same car. Despite that, they’re actually priced and marketed differently; as such, they seldom eat into each other’s chunk of the sales pie.

This is more of a guide on which model might be better for you: the Toyota Yaris 1.5 S, or the Toyota Vios 1.5 G Prime.

Toyota Vios 2019 on the road

The King in the market: Vios

Toyota Yaris 2019 design

Or its twin hatchback: Yaris?

Before getting deeper into our full-scale comparison, let's check out the in-depth review for each model:

2. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Exterior

Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Dimensions
Toyota Vios Prime CVT
Toyota Yaris 1.5 S CVT
Length (mm)
4,425
4,145
Width (mm)
1,730
1,730
Height (mm)
1,475
1,500
Wheelbase (mm)
2,550
2,550
Ground Clearance
140
140
Number of Seats
5
5

A picture of the 2019 Toyota Vios parked in the city

The Toyota Vios is sleeker than the model it replaces

A picture of the Toyota Yaris focusing on the front

The Asian Yaris shares the same front fascia with the Vios

Being a hatchback, the Toyota Yaris has a shorter wheelbase than the Toyota Vios. While that may be the case, the rear storage area of the Yaris can actually fit a decent amount of cargo, especially with the rear seats folded down. The Vios’ trunk though is cavernous, able to take on up to 478 liters of cargo.

A picture of the rear of the Toyota Vios

The Vios has a trunk and an edgy-looking rear end

A picture of the rear of the 2019 Toyota Yaris

Whereas the Yaris has a rear hatch that opens wide for ease of access

3. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Interior

Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Interior Features
Feature
Toyota Vios Prime CVT
Toyota Yaris 1.5 S CVT
Air Conditioning System
Automatic Climate Control
Automatic Climate Control
Entertainment System
7-inch touchscreen display, Voice control w/ weblink, 6 Speakers, CD, MP3
7-inch touchscreen display, Voice control w/ weblink, 6speakers, CD, MP3
Connectivity
USB, Bluetooth, Aux
Aux, USB, Bluetooth
Keyless Entry
With
With
Power Steering
With
With
With
With
Power Outlet
With
With
Steering Wheel Audio Control
With
With
Push to start
With
With

If compared with the Prime, the Toyota Yaris is essentially the same vehicle even on the inside. Even the design of the dashboard, the steering wheel, and the seats are the same. Note though that both of these vehicles, despite one being a hatch, provide really good leg-room and headroom.

Another key difference is that the Yaris actually has suede-like seats and synthetic leather on some parts of the doors. The Vios on the other-hand has cloth though it still has faux leather covering the steering wheel and the dash.

>>> Related: 2021 Toyota Yaris: Expectations and what we know so far

The Toyota Yaris' front cabin

The front cabin of the Toyota Vios

Guess which one's which?

>>> Helpful information for Toyota car buyers:

4. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris Philippines: Engine & Performance

Toyota Yaris vs Toyota Vios: Engine
Toyota Vios Prime CVT
Toyota Yaris 1.5 S CVT
Displacement
1,496 cc
1,496 cc
Number of Cylinders
4
4
Number of Valves
16
16
Transmission Type
CVT
CVT
Drivetrain
Front-wheel-drive
Front-wheel-drive
Max Output (HP)
106
106
Max Torque (Nm)
140
140
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Fuel Capacity
42 L
42 L

As you can see from the table above, the top of the line Vios Prime and the Yaris S are very similar vehicles. They make the same amount of power, the same amount of torque, and they even have the same maximum fuel capacity.

The Toyota Yaris parked in a subdivision

A Toyota Vios travelling in the city

While you might think that they'd handle differently, they're actually pretty similar

For more affordable models from Toyota, please check out our Toyota for sale section.

5. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris: Safety

Toyota Yaris vs Toyota Vios: Safety Features
Toyota Vios Prime CVT
Toyota Yaris 1.5 S CVT
Dual Front Airbags
With
With
Knee Airbag
With
With
Side Airbag
With
With
Curtain Airbag
With
With
Electronic Brake Distribution
With
With
Anti-lock Braking
With
With
Immobilizer
With
With
Security Alarm
With
With
Stability Control
With
With
Electronic Door Locks
With
With
ISOFIX
With
With
Hill Start Assist
With
With

As the top of the line variant of one of the most best-selling sedans here in the Philippines, the Toyota Vios 2019 is no slouch when it comes to safety equipment. The same goes for the Yaris. What Toyota can do to improve these two popular models though is the addition of more driver-assist technology for future models.

Yaris vs Vios 2019 - Which to Buy? | YS Khong Driving

Things like a lane departure warning system, automatic emergency braking, etc. Though that might actually cut out the Vios’ target market, those technologies might actually make the Toyota Yaris 2019 more competitive in its market segment.

And speaking of market segment, the Yaris is currently a direct competitor to the Honda Jazz.

6. Toyota Yaris vs Toyota Vios: Price and Variants

Variant
Price
Toyota Yaris 1.5 S CVT
Php 1,055,000
Toyota Yaris 1.3 E MT
Php 890,000
Toyota Yaris 1.3 E CVT
Php 942,000

>>> Get the latest pricing changes of the Toyota Yaris Philippines here

Variant
Price
Toyota Vios Prime 1.5 G CVT
Php 1,098,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 Base MT
Php 662,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 J MT
Php 688,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 XE
Php 738,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 E MT
Php 831,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 E CVT
Php 881,000
Toyota Vios E Prime MT
Php 886,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 E Prime CVT
Php 936,000
Toyota Vios 1.5 G MT
Php 984,000
Toyota Vios 1.5 G CVT
Php 1,058,000

>>> Check the full Toyota Vios price list with estimated downpayment & installment

The Vios has a wider range of variants in its lineup, making it more attractive to a broader range of budgets. In comparison, the Toyota Yaris’ cheapest variant costs Php 890,000 which makes it more premium. While the Vios Prime 1.5 G is as well-equipped as the Yaris 1.5 S, the base model Vios is a bare shell when compared to its equivalent in the Yaris E M/T.

There is also a significant gap between their respective prices, putting the base Vios 1.3 on a whole different ball game.

7. Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris Philippines: Verdict

In its own market segment, it is pretty obvious that the Toyota Vios is King in the Philippines. Its range of variants alone is also very indicative of its versatility; it can be a premium sedan while it can also fill in the role of a cheap reliable vehicle for those who want to go from A to B or for someone who wants to provide that service.

In comparison, the Toyota Yaris is without a doubt a premium hatchback and is more suited to the young professionals living in the city. As such, a Toyota Yaris vs Honda Civic would be a more appropriate comparison. They are after all direct competitors and they are both within the same price range.

Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris

Toyota Yaris vs Vios: Your vote?

For more car comparison articles, please keep reading here on Philkotse.com.

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

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