Toyota Vios gets cosmetic tweaks, upgraded safety tech in Thailand 

Updated Mar 10, 2022 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The entire Thai-spec Yaris Ativ lineup now looks like the Vios GR-S. 

Recently, Toyota Thailand has provided some updates to the Toyota Yaris Ativ, which is the Vios in the Philippine market. This model is one of the two Vios models in the Land of Smiles and most of what is new is focused on improving the car’s safety kit.

2022 Toyota Yaris Ativ/Vios front shot

The 2022 Toyota Yaris Ativ (Vios)

The top-spec Yaris Ativ/Vios now gets a lane departure alert system, and an autonomous braking system. Its interior then gets the same treatment as the Philippine-spec Vios GR-S. It also has a gauge cluster with a multi-function display, contrast stitching, a push-to-start button, leather and fabric seats, among others. 

As for what’s under its hood, the Yaris Ativ is markedly different from the Vios variants available locally. It exclusively uses a 1.2-liter engine that is not available to our version of the Vios. At most, it can make up to 89 horsepower and 109 Nm of torque. Power is then delivered to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Suffice to say, our 1.3-liter Vios versions make a bit more at 98 horsepower and 123 Nm of torque. 

A top-down picture of the top-spec two-tone Toyota Yaris Ativ (Vios)

The top-spec variant also gets an optional two-tone color scheme

The Yaris Ativ also received some cosmetic tweaks. Its front fascia now has larger fog lamp housings, which only look a bit different from the Vios GR-S as it comes with the addition of a small chrome trim piece.  

Its higher-spec variant also gets a lot of black-colored trim pieces, just like what we’ve seen on the Vios GR-S. The rear of the Yaris Ativ however, is different as it lacks the black trim piece stretching over the GR-S' lower rear bumper. It also lacks the chunky rear diffuser that is equipped on the Philippine top-spec model. 

As mentioned, the structure for the Vios lineup in Thailand is a bit different. To keep it simple, the Toyota Philippines used the Yaris Ativ as the basis for the recent facelift for the local-spec Vios back in 2020. We then got the Vios GR-S in March 2021.  

A picture of the Yaris Ativ's interior

A peek into the Yaris Ativ's (Vios) interior

In turn, Toyota Thailand used some of the exterior looks and interior bits of the Vios GR-S to update the entirety of its Yaris Ativ lineup. That said though, we would want to see the lane departure alert and autonomous braking system for the Philippine-spec Vios. That might involve a price hike, but the added safety tech will come in handy on our busy streets.

If you want to keep track of the latest car updates from both our neighbors in the ASEAN region and the local market, keep it here on 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 1,054,000. A total of 7 Toyota Vios variants are offered, with the top-of-the-line Vios G CVT variant coming with a tag of PHP 1,039,000. 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.

>>> New and used Toyota Vios 2024 for sale in the Philippines

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

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.

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:

Toyota Vios 2024 Price List

 Variants Price
Toyota Vios 1.3 J MT ₱732,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 XE CVT ₱774,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 XLE MT ₱862,000
Toyota Vios 1.3 XLE CVT ₱902,000
Toyota Vios 1.5 G MT ₱979,000
Toyota Vios 1.5 G MT (White Pearl) ₱994,000
Toyota Vios 1.5 G CVT ₱1,039,000

₱ 732,000 - ₱ 1,055,000

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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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