2019 Toyota Vios launched in Malaysia: RM77k-RM87k

It’s the stalwart of the B-segment sedan market, and now, there’s a new one. Yes, the 2019 Toyota Vios has just been launched in Malaysia – having been previewed at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) last November – offering more kit and a whole new look.

But first, we’re gonna give you what you’ve all been waiting for, the prices. The new Vios keeps the pricing that was originally estimated, with the base 1.5J auto coming in at RM77,200 – the manual variant, which made the Vios the last holdout of the row-your-own gearbox, has unfortunately been dropped from the list.

The mid-range E variant retails at RM81,200 and the top-spec G rounds off the range at RM87,300, meaning that all variants cost almost exactly the same as before. All prices are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

With that out of the way, what exactly is new on this Vios? Well, for a start, it gets a radical front end design that is shared with the Yaris hatchback, with a slim upper grille and sharper headlights paired to a massive lower grille with integrated LED daytime running lights. The fog lights are housed in vertical enclosures that flank the said grille, and the end result is a look that will surely divide opinion.

Moving over to the side, there’s a new shoulder line that starts aft from the front wheels and stretches all the way to the rear deck, while another line crosses the door handles towards the tail lights. The beltline also sweeps up more elegantly than before, while at the rear, the LED tail lights are wider and shapelier than on the outgoing model, lending the car a broader appearance.

The interior is also carried over from the Yaris, with faux stitching and a protruding centre console not unlike that of the Lexus NX, plus a steering wheel from the Corolla Altis. Power comes from a carryover 2NR-FE 1.5 litre Dual VVT-i four-cylinder engine, making 107 PS at 6,000 rpm and 140 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. This mill – paired to a CVT with a seven-speed Shiftmatic mode – was introduced on the Vios in 2016.

Standard kit includes reflector halogen headlights with a follow-me-home function, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, fabric seats, a drive mode switch with Eco and Sport modes, automatic air-conditioning, illuminated door sill scuff plates, front footwell illumination, two rear USB ports, rear parking sensors and a CD/radio head unit with Bluetooth and four speakers.

The mid-spec E adds LED tail lights, fog lights, auto-fold door mirror with indicators, an acoustic glass windscreen, 60:40 split-folding rear seats with a centre armrest, premium solar and security tint, a multifunction steering wheel and a DVD-AVX infotainment system with a 360-degree camera system and a front digital video recorder (i.e. dashcam).

Opting for the top-spec G gives you projector headlights, 16-inch alloys, leather on the seats, steering wheel, gearknob and front armrest, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, paddle shifters, an Optitron instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch multi-info display, six speakers and front parking sensors.

Safety-wise, all models get seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knees), ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control and rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, with the E and G variants also getting a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

Options include a RM2,160 DVD-AVX system and RM2,120 premium solar and security tint for the J variant, a RM350 a rear digital video recorder and a RM2,800 aerokit that you see here, which adds a front grille garnish, front, side and rear skirting and a bootlid spoiler.

Here’s the variant breakdown in detail:

Toyota Vios 1.5J – RM77,200

Gets as standard:

Mechanicals

1.5 litre 2NR-FE Dual VVT-i DOHC engine

1,496 cc naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol

107 PS at 6,000 rpm, 140 Nm at 4,200 rpm

Continuously variable transmission with seven-speed mode

Three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport

Electric power steering

Front MacPherson struts suspension, rear torsion beam

Front ventilated brake discs, rear solid discs

Exterior

Automatic halogen reflector headlights

LED daytime running lights

Rear fog lights

15-inch alloy wheels with 185/60-section tyres

Electric door mirror adjustment

Door visors

Keyless entry

Interior

Urethane steering wheel with tilt adjustment

Push-button start

Electric power windows with driver’s side auto up/down and anti-pinch

Manually-adjustable front seats

Fixed rear seats

Fabric upholstery

Single-zone automatic climate control

2-DIN radio/CD player with Bluetooth

Four speakers

Front footwell lighting

Illuminated scuff plates

Two rear USB ports

15-inch full-size spare with steel wheels

Safety

Seven airbags (front, side, curtain, driver’s knee)

Rear ISOFIX child seat anchors

ABS with EBD and brake assist

Stability control

Traction control

Hill start assist

Four rear parking sensors

Toyota Vios 1.5E – RM81,200

Adds on:

Exterior

Front fog lights

LED rear combination taillights

Auto-folding door mirrors with integrated indicators

Acoustic windscreen

Interior

60:40 split-folding rear seats

Steering wheel audio controls

2-DIN DVD-AVX infotainment system with 6.8-inch touchscreen, smartphone mirroring and HDMI input

Rear armrest with cupholders

Premium solar and security tint

Safety

Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert

360-degree camera system

Front digital video recorder with collision warning and lane departure warning

Toyota Vios 1.5G – RM87,300

Adds on:

Exterior

Halogen projector headlights

16-inch two-tone alloy wheels with 195/60-section tyres

Chrome grille and door handles

Interior

Leather upholstery

Optitron instrument cluster with 4.2-inch multi-information display (MID)

Steering wheel phone and MID controls

Paddle shifters

Six speakers

Safety

Two front parking sensors

The Vios is available in five exterior colours, including Super White II, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Red Mica Metallic and the new hero colour, Dark Blue Metallic. - Paultan