2023 Toyota Vios left-hand drive version debuts, coming soon in PH?   

Updated Sep 07, 2022 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The first LHD units have gone to Thailand’s neighboring country, Laos. 

The fourth-generation Toyota Vios has been out for over a month now, having been launched in Thailand as the 2023 Yaris Ativ, in right-hand drive of course. For those of you wondering whether the model will reach our shores, Toyota takes this a step closer toward reality by exporting a left-hand drive (LHD) version.    

Toyota Yaris Ativ

Toyota's RHD Yaris Ativ now has an LHD version for export markets 

No, it isn’t bound for the Philippines, at least not yet. The first market to receive the new Vios with the port side steering wheel is Laos, apart from being the first to retain the Vios moniker. Setting aside the fact that the Southeast Asian country’s name shares two letters with Toyota’s subcompact sedan, it’s Laos’ proximity (sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam) that could have made it a prime candidate for LHD Vios units. 

There are not many differences to expect between the Vios and Yaris Ativ, with both sporting the same fastback-inspired exterior. In terms of aesthetics, the only notable variation on the Vios is the use of slightly redesigned alloy wheels for the Laotian market, while it retains the 16-inch diameter. 

New Toyota Yaris

Laos retains the Vios name for the latest iteration of Toyota's subcompact sedan

The interior from the Thai-spec version has been carried over as well. Taking the revised steering wheel placement aside, the LHD Vios still sports the digital instrument cluster, soft-touch dashboard, and floating-type touchscreen

Perhaps the only real significant difference lies in the engine bay, with the Thai-spec Yaris Ativ running on a 1.2-liter Dual VVT-i gasoline engine rated at 93 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque, mated to a Super CVT-i gearbox. 

Toyota Vios interior

Most features have been carried over from the Thai-spec model

Meanwhile, the power unit on the Laos release is slightly bigger. We’re talking about a 1.3-liter gasoline mill with 97 horsepower and 122 Nm of torque to its name, spinning the front wheels with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT. This is the same powertrain combo found on base and mid-tier variants of the Philippine-spec Vios

Will this mean that it will only be a matter of time before the new-generation Vios is finally seen in Toyota showrooms all over the Philippines? Vios fans are likely crossing their fingers that it comes sooner rather than later. 

Know more about cars that could hit our market soon at Philkotse.com.

Know more about Toyota Vios 2024

Toyota Vios

Competing in the subcompact sedan segment, the Toyota Vios 2024 is the top sales contributor for the Japanese automaker. The price for the Toyota Vios in the Philippines ranges from PHP 732,000 to PHP 1,055,000. A total of 7 Toyota Vios variants are offered, with the top-of-the-line Vios GR-S variant coming with a tag of PHP 1,055,000. Two engine options are available in the range, which can be connected to either a 5-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Dimensions-wise, the subcompact sedan spans 4,425 mm in length, 1,730 mm in width, and 1,475 mm in height. The main rivals of the Toyota vehicle include the Honda City, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, and Nissan Almera.

The Toyota Vios is not only the best-selling model in the Japanese automaker's lineup, but the entire Philippine market. It serves as a reliable subcompact sedan for those who are looking for a daily driver. Also, the Vios is proudly Philippine-assembled which supports Filipino automotive workers. Now, the vehicle is competing in its respective class head high using the refreshed body released by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) in the country in 2020.

Toyota Vios Launch

In 2002, Toyota introduced the first-generation Vios in the Philippines. A few years later in 2007, the second-generation sedan was launched. This version gained the "Batman" nickname due to the shape of its grille. 

Several years onwards In 2013, Toyota brought in the third-gen Toyota Vios. It has grown in size, and it also came with a larger engine. The Toyota-made sedan was given a major update in 2018. It bore a new exterior design, and it also gained the upmarket Prime variants as well.

More recently in 2020, Toyota Motor Philippines launched another refresh of the Toyota Vios model. It's fitted with sportier fascia, a new grille, a new pair of headlamps, a revised foglamp housing, and a new lower grille, among others. 

In March of 2021, TMP then introduced the Toyota Vios GR-S.

Toyota Vios Exterior

Up front, the Toyota Vios for the Philippines comes with a front end that mirrors the current designs of high-end models like the Corolla Altis and the Camry. The said design features a wide-slatted grille, flanked by the angular fog lamp housing. For the high-trim GR-S and G, the headlamps are three-tier LEDs with integrated LED daytime running lamps. The rest of the variants get a pair of four-bulb halogen headlights.

For the side and the rear, not much has changed since the previous version. The GR-S stands out from the rest of the variants with its black-colored exterior pieces, rear spoiler, and rear lower bumper with an integrated diffuser.

Toyota Vios Philippines angular front

The Toyota Vios G 

Apart from those, the Toyota Vios GR-S for the Philippine market also has different-looking side skirts and a set of GR-S 16-inch alloy wheels. The G variant on the other hand still has a piano black grille, but it gets chrome-plated door handles instead of the black-colored ones found on the GR-S.

A picture of the 2021 Toyota Vios GR-S

The all-new 2021 Toyota Vios GR-S

>>> Related: 2021 Toyota Vios GR-S review by Philkotse

Toyota Vios Interior

The Toyota Vios for the Philippine market can offer seating for up to five occupants including the driver. For the top-spec GR-S and G variants, they both come equipped with automatic air-conditioning. For the most part, the Toyota Vios' dashboard are made out of sturdy plastic, combined with silver-colored accents. 

Soft touch points for the Vios are also abundant. The Toyota-made sedan's door cards are made out of a combination of plastic, and a soft, fabric-covered material. There's also the presence of a center elbow-rest.

Toyota Vios Philippines interior

The Interior Of The Toyota Vios G

As for the seats, most variants except the GR-S come with fabric seats. The GR-S instead has synthetic leather with red contrast stitching, combined with suede pieces. 

Toyota Vios Philippines cabin

The rear seats of the Toyota Vios

To keep occupants comfortable, both the GR-S and G Vios variants are equipped with automatic air-conditioning systems. The rest of the trim levels on the other hand come with a manual air-conditioning system.

Inside the 2021 Toyota Vios GR-S

Inside the Toyota Vios GR-S

>>> Related: Toyota Vios for sale at good prices on Philkotse.com

Features & Technology

For entertainment, the Toyota Vios GR-S, and the Vios G variants for the Philippine market come standard with a 6.75-inch touchscreen headunit. The said headunit is also capable of connecting via Bluetooth, USB, and Aux jack.

The Vios G's touchscreen headunit

The Vios G's touchscreen headunit

The mid-tier XLE and XE trims also have the aforementioned headunit, but these come with a four-piece speaker set instead. The Vios J on the other hand comes standard with a 2-DIN audio unit linked to two speakers.

Besides the aforementioned touchscreen, the GR-S is also equipped with the Gazoo Racing 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display. Other variants do get an Optitron gauge cluster, as well as a multi-information display. The GR-S and the G also come with a push-to-start button, a leather-clad shift lever, and a drive-mode selector. All Vios variants also come standard with a tilt-adjustable steering wheel column.

Toyota Vios Philippines

The tech and convenience features will vary depending on the variant of the Toyota Vios

For safety, the GR-S and G variants are equipped with dual-front airbags, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, and driver's knee airbags. The rest of the trim levels have dual-front airbags, and the airbag for the driver's knee.

Anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, stability control, traction control, and hill-start assist are available on all Vios trims. Only the GR-S and G come with a rear-view camera, and only the former has a clearance sonar. 

>>> See more: New and used Toyota Vios for sale in the Philippines at the best price

 Reverse Camera None, With Apple CarPlay / Android Auto  Both 
Parking Sensors  # of Airbags  3 , 7
 Immobilizer  None, With  Speed-Sensing Door Locks  None, With

Platform & Chassis

The refreshed Toyota Vios for the Philippine market still uses the same platform as the previous model. As before, higher trim levels have disc brakes all around. 

For suspensions, the Vios uses a MacPherson Strut type for the front and a torsion beam-type suspension for the rear. Moreover, the engine is still positioned transversely, with the power sent to the front wheels.

Front suspension McPherson Strut Front Brakes Disc
Rear breaks    

Engine & Drivetrain

The Toyota Vios for the Philippine market has two engine options. The larger one is a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine capable of making up to 106 hp and 140 Nm of torque. This said engine is available on the GR-S and the G Trim. For the former, it is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) only. The Vios G can either come with a CVT or a five-speed manual transmission.

There Toyota Vios G's 1.5-liter mill

The Toyota Vios G's 1.5-liter mill

The other engine option for the Vios is a 1.3-liter inline-4 engine. At most, this mill can produce up to 98 hp, and 123 Nm of torque. For the XLE, the said engine can be paired with a CVT or a five-speed transmission. The 1.3 XE's sole transmission is a CVT, while the J comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission only. 

A picture of the Toyota Vios GR-S

The gear shift lever of the Vios GR-S

>>> Also check out:

1.3 l, 1.5 l

Toyota Vios 2024 Price List

The price of the Toyota Vios in the Philippines starts at ₱732,000 for the entry-level J 1.3 MT, while the top-of-the-line Toyota Vios 1.5 GR-S CVT is priced at ₱1,055,000. For more details, please refer to our 2024 Toyota Vios price list as follows:

Variants Price
Toyota Vios XLE 1.3 MT ₱862,000    
Toyota Vios XLE 1.3 CVT ₱902,000
Toyota Vios G 1.5 MT ₱979,000
Toyota Vios G 1.5 CVT ₱1,039,000
Toyota Vios 1.5 GR-S CVT ₱1,055,000

Toyota Vios 2024 Specifications

Powertrain

1.3-1.5 L

No

98-106 hp

123-140 Nm

AT (CVT)

FWD

Suspension & Brakes

McPherson Strut

Front brakes

Disc

Disc

Manual (Hand)

   
Dimensions

4,425-4,467

1,730 mm

1,475 mm

133 mm

   
Capacities

5

326 L

 
Exterior

Halogen, LED

14-16 inches

 
Interior

Fabric, Leather

Manual

Auto, Manual

Technology

Push Button, Turnkey

None

None, With

Both

None

With

With

None

None

None, With

None

None

Safety & Security

3-7

With

None

With

None, With

None, With

Speed-Sensing Door Locks

None, With

   

₱ 732,000 - ₱ 1,055,000

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Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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

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