The 2017 Toyota Vios facelift was launched in
Thailand in January, which makes it two months old. This latest update to the
B-segment sedan brings an aggressive new face, one that you’ll either love or
hate.
The polarising big-mouthed mug has a lot in common with the
Chinese-market Vios launched at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, and has hints of
the latest US-market 2018 Camry. A big departure from the outgoing Vios.
There are new projector headlamps with integrated
LED positioning lights, a prominent T-shaped grille and repositioned LED fog
lamps with new LED DRLs beside them. At the back, the taillights have revised
graphics, and the chrome bar linking them is slimmer. The bumper has also been
restyled to be less busy than before. The 15- and 16-inch alloys sport new
designs.
No change for the cabin, and items such as the
double-DIN seven-inch touchscreen head unit, keyless operation, leather/fabric
seats, MID and automatic air-con (the latter not available in Malaysia)
continue to feature here. The Thai Vios also comes with four different interior
themes for each variant – J, E, G and S.
All variants
continue to be powered by the 2NR-FBE 1.5 litre Dual VVT-i engine. This 108 hp/140 Nm unit was part of a 2016 technical update
for the Vios that also included a CVT automatic gearbox with seven virtual ratios. No more
four-speed auto, but also no more manual option, even for the base J.
Thai customers get to choose from six exterior body
colours – Red Mica Metallic, Quartz Brown Metallic, Super White, Silver
Metallic, Gray Metallic and Attitude Black Mica. Prices range from 609,000 baht for the J to 789,000 baht for the S.
