Comparing Toyota’s Wigo G and Wigo E

Buying your first car, provided that you’re competent enough to be operating this type of machinery, can be daunting and more importantly, very costly on the onset and will continue to be draw funds from your pocket for maintenance and ownership costs.  

Which is why it is of utter importance that you make the right decision when you purchase your first vehicle.

Get something you can manage, small and compact, so that you don’t get overwhelmed in traffic and the tight confines of parking spaces in Metro Manila.

It should be basic without too much of the whizbang you see in vehicles today because the lesser moving (or computing) parts that it has, the less can go wrong, which means fewer chances of it breaking down while you’re stuck in traffic.

That leads us to Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) Wigo. This is an entry-level hatchback that is small, affordable, and comes with a no-frills powertrain.

Despite having stiff competition in this city car segment, the Wigo has been able to get 69% market share with some 83,000 units sold since its launch in 2014.

Starting at just P568,000, the Wigo has a very tempting price point and the fact that it’s a Toyota, which has a reputation for having reliable and durable vehicles, makes it a model that’s very hard to overlook.

If you’re on a tight budget and are eyeing this segment for your first vehicle, let us give you the rundown of what the G and E trims of the Toyota Wigo offer the market.

While shorter by 40mm to the TRD S AT (automatic transmission) trim, the G and E trims measure the same all around – 3,660mm in length, 1,600mm in width, 1,520mm in height, a wheelbase of 2,455mm, and with a ground clearance of 180mm.

It is powered by Toyota’s 1KR-VE engine that is now lighter and compact for better fuel consumption, higher performance, and reduced vibration and noise level. It is a 1.0L three-cylinder engine with a higher 11.5:1 compression ratio, a high-tumble intake port, a longer intake manifold, micro fuel spray injection and low-friction valve lifters to increase fuel efficiency and to develop more linear power delivery. It also has variable valve timing with intelligence or VVT-I that adjusts timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts to allow engine start and stop to occur almost unnoticeably at minimum compression. It also rapidly heats up the catalytic converter, sending it to its light-off temperature to be able to significantly reduce hydrocarbon emissions.

Power output of 65hp and 89Nm of torque is sent to the front wheels via two gearbox options, a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission for the G trim, and only a five-speed manual transmission (MT) for the E trim.

Both trims get MacPherson strut suspensions in front and a torsion beam axle at the rear, and ventilated front disc brakes and drum disc rear brakes.

The G trim sits on the same wheels as the TRD S AT, 14-inch machine-cut design alloy wheels, but the E trim uses plain 14-inch alloy wheels. Tire size is the same across the range at 175/65 R14.

Projector halogen headlamps, line guide type clearance lamps, and rear combination lamps with LED (light-emitting diode) brake lamp are standard but the G trim also gets front fog lamps and a rear spoiler with an LED-type high-mount stop lamp.

In the cabin, the differences are more stark. The E trim has a knob-type air-conditioning system, a 2-din infotainment unit with a tuner + Aux-in + USB + CD + Bluetooth, and a plain three-spoke urethane steering wheel.

The G, on the other hand, comes with an LCD (liquid crystal display) climate control panel, a shiny navigation-ready touchscreen display audio system with a tuner + Aux-in + USB + Bluetooth, and a three-spoke urethane steering wheel with audio switches on the left spoke.

Both trims come with power features including driver one-touch down window and power door locks. The E trim has a rotary, key-in ignition system and manually adjustable outer mirrors while the G trim uses a push-to-start button and comes with power-adjust and power-retract outer mirrors with turn signal lamps.

Standard safety features include driver and front passenger SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), rear sonar.

The G trim also gets a rear camera, Toyota’s anti-theft system with immobilizer and alarm, and a keyless entry system.

Body colors of the Wigo 1.0 VVT-i G include Orange Metallic, Black, Silver Metallic, White, and Gray Metallic.

The Wigo 1.0 VVT-i E body only comes in Silver Metallic, White, and Gray Metallic and is priced at P568,000.

Price of the Toyota Wigo 1.0 VVT-i G MT is P623,000 while the Toyota Wigo 1.0 VVT-i G AT is P658,000.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines