UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will soon launch the new Toyota Avanza facelift. The new Avanza will be available in three variants, starting with the base 1.5E that is priced at RM 80,888 on-the-road without insurance. Next up is the 1.5S at RM 83,888, while the range-topping variant is the 1.5S+ at RM 87,888. All prices include a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

All three variants come with a four-speed automatic transmission as standard, which is mated to a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 105 PS at 6,000 rpm and 136 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. The rear-wheel drive setup is pretty much the same as the previous Avanza, with the only difference now being the lack of a five-speed manual transmission option. 


Styling-wise, the new Avanza appears to be influenced by Vellfire, particularly from the front, where the upper grille trim extends to the bodywork, bisecting the headlamps for two-tier look. At the rear, you’ll find redesigned taillights that are linked to red reflectors on the tailgate, with a chrome bar placed between the latter (for selected variants). The overall profile of the MPV remains as before, and all variants wear 15-inch alloy wheels with 185/65 profile tyres – only the 1.5S and 1.5S+ get a two-tone finish.

On the topic of exterior equipment, bi-LED headlamps, front fog lamps, a shark fin antenna and roof spoiler are standard across the board. The base variant is the only one that comes without electric retractable side mirrors and dark chrome with red lens garnish for the tailgate mentioned above. Moving inside, the general layout of the dashboard has been tweaked slightly to feature a new centre stack that frames the infotainment screen and controls for the standard automatic air-conditioning system (with rear vents) below the air vents.

Only the 1.5S+ gets a 6.75-inch Display Audio touchscreen infotainment system as standard, which boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as a reverse camera. Other variants will have to make do with a double-DIN head unit instead, although the Display Audio unit is available as a cost option. The speaker count is six on all variants except for the base option that makes do with just four.


In other areas, the 1.5E gets a basic urethane steering wheel and standard analogue gauges, while the remaining variants gain a steering-mounted audio controls, chrome trim, sportier gauges and a multi-info instrument cluster display. Fabric seats and USB charging ports are shared by all three variants.

As for safety kit, there’s still just two airbags, ABS with EBD, and Isofix child seat anchors on the second row. However, the 1.5S+ marks the first time a blind spot monitor and rear-cross traffic alert is available on an Avanza in Malaysia – other variants don’t get these systems. The 1.5S+ is also the only one that gets a front digital video recorder (DVR) as standard, while it is optional for other variants – there’s also the option of a rear DVR. For a little extra, customers can also add on an around view monitor to the 1.5S+.