For the final two months of 2008, UMW Toyota is giving away massive promotions for its entire lineup of Toyota vehicles. Dubbed the Festive Moments Celebration, the promotions were given an extra push as Toyota showrooms nationwide organised festive open houses on 15-16 Nov.

Customers are tempted by goodies such as vouchers to fully cover for three years of maintenance, low downpayment rebates, low interest rates, bodykits, and/or a Sony Video MP3 player. Different models are offered with different combinations of the above, though the free maintenance vouchers and low interest rates seem the most useful. According to the promotional materials, all offers are valid from 1 Nov till 31 Dec, with the MP3 players attached with the usual ‘while stocks last’ label.

I was at the Subang Jaya branch on Saturday afternoon, where despite the gloomy skies above, my companion and I test drove the manual versions of the Vios 1.5J and the Avanza 1.3E.

Festive Moment at the Subang Jaya branch.

Bad weather failed to stop us getting a test drive.

I have actually tested the Vios a couple of months back. While accompanying another friend car shopping, we tested back-to-back, both variants of the Honda City and compared them against the Vios 1.5S, which retails at over RM88.3k against the City’s RM79.8k (i-DSI) and RM85.8k (VTEC).

The 1,497cc 1NZ-FE VVT-i, paired with a four-speed auto, does not produce terribly exciting figures on paper, but gave the Vios adequate shove on the straights. On the bends, the car handled surprisingly well, despite not having an independently sprung rear axle.

Going inside, for the interior, the Vios lost a quite a bit of ground against the City. Despite being the newer model against the outgoing City, the Vios’ cabin was neither as well designed nor as well built. The cabin ambience felt a class lower, and the materials felt a grade lower. All in all, at close to RM89k, I think it is a bit pricy.

Toyota Vios 1.5S - overpriced at RM89k.

However, going down the hierarchy, Toyota has the base-spec 1.5J model for your consideration - yours for RM73.5k, if you’re willing to forego the skirtings, airbags, alloy rims, rear discs, electric door mirrors and even the intermittent function for the wipers (a shocking omission, this one). You also have the option of a manual transmission, which would slash RM3.7k off the pricetag.

Indeed, at RM69.8k, the manual 1.5J is well within striking distance of even the Proton Waja CPS, and making it now a far more attractive preposition. The only omissions of consequence are the rear discs and airbags, which are still fine to most people, though the lack of intermittent wipers (standard in the Perodua Kancil) is kind of like a shocking-omission to me.

Paired with a five-speed manual, the 1.5-litre engine gives the Vios more than adequate shove, with the engine revving smoothly up to the 4000-5000rpm range. However, I was a little dissatisfied with the quality of the gearchange, which despite being sufficiently precise, had a rather long throw, while the clutch pedal was light to the point of being tricky to balance. 

I rarely recommend the entry level variant of any model as my preferred choice, but in the case of the Vios, the maths say it all, the 1.5J, at over RM16k cheaper than the 1.5S, represents the superior value.

The 1.5J - at RM69k the Vios makes more sense

Dash is plain looking, but no complaints. Five-speed gear change sufficiently precise, but clutch a little tricky to balance.

The other model catching our attention was the facelifted Toyota Avanza. To be frank, while I’ve never quite fancied an Avanza, I do respect it for being a practical and sensible family carrier. It doesn’t tickle one’s fancy, but it gets the job done - ferrying your family and things around - with minimum fuss, and I respect that.

However, the folks at UMW’s product planning division had bigger ideas and decided to tack on a set of skirts,  fake taillights on top of the D-pillar, and carbon fibre inserts on the dash. I have no idea how they came to this decision, but my companion and I found these new additions more than a little amusing. Rather than spending RM77.1k on the 1.5S, the smart money would either be on the RM69.9k 1.5E or the RM74.3k 1.5G, which both do away with these add-ons.

 
The facelifted Toyota Avanza 1.5S

What’s with the fake taillights?

Carbon fibre inserts for an Avanza?

Credit where credit is due, this water bottle hole is properly useful.

Another option to consider is the base model 1.3E, which goes for RM62k (M/T) and RM65.5k (A/T). I took a manual version out for a spin. That car came with 14-inch steel wheels but had the 1.5S bodykit which I suggest that you not take. You’d be surprised to read this: but it was a properly good drive.

The gear change was excellent - slick and precise in a way that a car like the Avanza has no right to be. When revved hard, the engine picks up pace quick enough for most people. You can’t take corners too spiritedly, but do you buy an Avanza for that? I suppose not. However, driven smoothly and sedately, the Avanza gives you brisk progress around town, and the superb turning radius makes it an excellent urban runabout.

I must admit that the Avanza gave me a properly pleasant surprise. On the road, I actually liked it better than the sedan-bodied Vios, an outcome which I totally did not expect. I would be quite happy to recommend the Avanza to anyone looking for a small practical people carrier, with the tested 1.3E manual my personal pick of the bunch. For those who want an auto, my fingers would point to the RM69.9k 1.5E, which is technically identical to the more expensive G and S variants.

Entry level 1.3E’s plain looks better than ’sporty’ 1.5S

Though 1.3E test car is equipped with 1.5S bodykit.

Interior for 1.3E does away with carbon fibre inserts. Five-speed manual offers surprisingly good gear change quality.

Toyota’s popular Vios is now more affordable, thanks to the much anticipated J-variant which is a bone-basic car.

For your money RM69,800 for the manual or RM73,500 for the self shifter, you get a Vios that is mechanically similar to teh E and G, except that you get the nice bits taken out. There are no airbags on this car, of course leather is something you will have to do without and even the dahsboard is plain matt black.

Apart from the lack of airbags, which is rather mean, I can live with this basic Vios. I would opt for the manual shifter and save a bit more money every week from lower petrol consumption. I mean the Vios is known to be frugal even when running in Auto, so just imagine what it would be like if you choose the gears yourself.

The pricing has moved the Vios precariously close to Proton territory, I wonder if it is going to hit Waja sales badly. After all here you ahve a car that offers decent cabin space and fantastic fuel economy compared to the Waja’s thirsty older engine. The only thing is, the Waja has a pair of airbags.

Anyway, below is the full Press Release

PRESS RELEASE 4 JULY 2008 021/EAD/2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UMW TOYOTA MOTOR LAUNCH NEW VIOS VARIANTS

Shah Alam, 4 July – UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMW Toyota Motor), the manufacturer and distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, announced today the launch of two new Vios variants to the market. The new variants – Vios J 1.5 automatic and manual transmission are an entry level variants to the existing Toyota Vios S, G and E variants which were launched in October 2007.

The all-new Toyota Vios has gone global and is now offered in many new markets which include North America, Australia and New Zealand.

According to UMW Toyota Motor Managing Director, Mr Kuah Kock Heng, “In Malaysia, Toyota Vios has captured 50 percent market share of the 1.4 – 1.5 litre Pessenger Car Sedan segment in 2007.“ Recently, the Toyota Vios reached a new milestone with the delivery of its 100,000^th unit, making it one of the most popular Toyota cars.

Mr Kuah also pointed out that the Toyota Vios has been extremely popular among the young Malaysian buyers because of its performance, reliability and economical value. It has received relatively good sales, with an average of 2500 units per month. “Apart from the attractive price, the popularity of the Toyota Vios can also be attributed to its proven quality,” added Mr Kuah.

“The new grade will complement the existing variants as UMW Toyota Motor understands our customers’ needs and wants. It also allows us to reach out to more customers who are very keen in purchasing the Toyota Vios.” said Mr. Kuah.

“UMW Toyota Motor always take consideration on the feedback from our customers. Considering this we are also introducing the manual variant for the Vios J. This introduction is timely with the recent petrol hike issue. Our Toyota Vios is known for its fuel economy but with the manual version, customers can go further with a full tank of petrol,” continued Mr. Kuah.

UMW Toyota Motor has targeted monthly sales of 700 units of the new Toyota Vios J and it is confident in capturing a strong demand for the new variant from customers in both Peninsular and East Malaysia.

The Vios J is positioned as an entry level Vios model, without compromising its performances and safety features. Similar to other variants, the two Vios J variants are powered by Toyota’s renowned VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) 1.5 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine with 4-speed automatic with super ECT (Electronic Controlled Transmission) or 5-speed manual transmission. It also retains active safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

The on-the-road price with insurance of the Toyota Vios J is RM73,500 for the automatic transmission while the manual transmission will cost RM69,800. However, these are currently estimated prices and actual prices will be announced during the public launch.

The company also announced that the new variants will be available at all Toyota showrooms nationwide from 11 July 2008 but it is now open for booking.