Toyota Avanza 2018 Philippines: Extra dimensions, advanced features & upscale look

Born in 2003 and walked in the Philippine market 3 years later, the Toyota Avanza forthwith received a great favor from car enthusiasts. Having passed through over 14 years on the global market and 11 years in our country, but still, the Toyota Avanza remains its dominant position in the MPV segment.

With the most recent refreshment in terms of design, interior and powertrain in 2015, the current-generation Avanza owns extra dimensions, more advanced features plus an upscale look, which altogether makes it even more outstanding than its predecessor.

Also being made as a high-end MPV like all of its brothers, the Toyota Avanza 2018 model boasts to be one of the most affordable MPV on the local market with a full package of essential and advanced features.

Today, Philkotse.com will choose the Toyota Avanza 1.5 G AT 2018 to bring our readers a more detailed insight into this budget-friendly MPV.

For the second gen - 2012 model, the car originally carries a handsome exterior design which has grown from its predecessor. However, the Japanese manufacturer decided to give it more fondness with a bump in design in 2015.

Hence, the Avanza 2018 now comes adorned with a bigger trapezoidal grille, sleeker trapezoidal headlights and deeply sculpted front bumpers, providing the seven-seater a bolder and stronger look.

Current-gen Toyota Avanza vs. 1st-gen Toyota Avanza

The Avanza 2018 owns sleeker trapezoidal headlights

For this updated version, the car body is carved strongly with lines deriving from the front bumper and running seamlessly rearwards.

The car body is carved strongly with lines deriving from the front bumper and running seamlessly rearwards

Moving to the rear, the Avanza 2018 gets redesigned taillights which are armed with aero fins in order to ease the airflow and reduce noises of wind.

The Avanza 2018 gets redesigned taillights

What’s more, Toyota Motor Philippines has recently revealed the luxury version of the Avanza dubbed as the Toyota Avanza Veloz 2018. The appearance of this all-new variant is made even more premium, dynamic and sporty than the regular counterpart.

>>> Latest update: 2021 Toyota Avanza: Expectations and what we know so far

Stepping inside, 2018 Toyota Avanza interior also gets a handful of change. Now the car will have no beige interior, instead of that is a brown and dark gray scheme. Meanwhile, the door panels and the dashboard still retain their faux aluminum frames.

The instrument cluster has also been redone, with silver covers around the three gauges, and white lighting for better brightness at night. What’s more, an additional green Eco indicator functions to notice whether the vehicle is being driven in a way that saves fuel or not by gleaming.

However, it is said that the indicator only lights up when drivers exceed 20kph and it will turn off when speed gets slower.

Now the car will have no beige interior, instead of that is a brown and dark gray scheme

In addition, in the facelift Avanza, a touchscreen infotainment system has replaced the double-DIN single-scroll-screen multimedia system in the predecessor. The new one provides all of the essential ports including AUX and USB, and a new 12V socket, allowing you to connect your music player and other devices.

A Bluetooth function is also available for use, but it only serves hands-free calls.

In the facelift Avanza, a touchscreen infotainment system has replaced the double-DIN single-scroll-screen multimedia system

While there is an overhead air conditioning system for occupants at second- and third row, the main AC system still needs to be set to at least third level so that rear passengers can enjoy enough cool air.

The alarm system of the Toyota Avanza 2018 model, however, feels inconvenient and useless as it fails to notify surrounding vehicles while you are backing up. It is not even equipped with proximity sensors and thus, unable to alert you if you are about to hit something. This might pose as a big disadvantage for drivers who do not have the habit of regularly checking their mirrors when backing up.

Seating capacity

The most considerable change in the Avanza 2018 interior lies in the third-row seats which are replaced by a new split 50:50 pair. The new ones are foldable and also able to tumble forward distinctively, releasing more room to carry luggage.

This change is especially useful for family trips. The right seat of the third row can fit two kids comfortably while with the left one folded flat and forward, the Avanza can house up some toys and other bulky stuff.

With the left one folded flat and forward, the Avanza can house up some toys and other bulky stuff

The Toyota Avanza 2018 is powered by a 1.5 L Dual VVT-i gasoline engine which is capable of cranking out 103 hp and 136 Nm of torque, works in a conjunction with a 4-speed automatic transmission. As claimed by Toyota in 2012, the engine was enhanced its capability of fuel economy to 16km/L.

The Toyota Avanza 2018 model is powered by a 1.5 L Dual VVT-i gasoline engine

Performance

With the 1.5 L Dual VVT-i engine, when the car is fully loaded with luggage and passengers, it still brings a comfortable and stable ride. The front MacPherson struts equipped with stabilizers, the rear 4-way link with sidebar control and coil springs can easily conquer harsh and rough terrains.

However, if you drive a Toyota Avanza alone or with one occupant sitting in the front seat, the ride is quite bumpy and rough.

>>> View all Toyota Avanza for sale in the Philippines

Although the all new Avanza may have its own shortcomings, still, it is a perfect car for those who expect a bigger Toyota Innova with a better cargo capacity yet can’t afford one. Click here to read our review for the Toyota Innova 2018 to make better comparison for yourself.

Surely, there may be some models  of other brands that are probably better equipped and more affordable out there. However, you can’t deny the attraction of made-by-Toyota vehicles. When it comes to reliability and quality, no rivals can beat the dominant position of Toyota in our country.

All things considered, it's time to take a look at the latest price list of Toyota Avanza in the local market:

As can be seen from the table, the Toyota Avanza Veloz 2018, priced at P1,025,000, boasts to be the most expensive model of the Avanza lineup, being the only variant over P1 million in the range. Curious to know what this new comer has to offer to deserve its high price tag? Click here to get full information regarding price and detailed specs of the new Avanza Veloz.

Philkotse.com hopes that our Toyota Avanza 2018 review can be some help to your car research.