Why Toyota Wigo is a value for money hatchback?

Buying a car on a tight budget is not an easy task. There are many options to choose from and many criteria to be fulfilled for every customer. Any car maker that wants to walk the tightrope of launching an entry-level hatchback, needs to know what they are in for.

Toyota for one, knows what they are doing. Their hatchback, called the Wigo was first launched in 2014. Since then it has been a well-recognized name in the segment and for some very good reasons.

The Wigo makes the trustworthy Toyota name affordable within the most tightest of budgets. Starting at Php 537000 with a mid-range option at Php 576,000, it is one of the most affordable cars in the country. There are, however, cars like the Hyundai Eon that are still cheaper. That being said price cannot be the only deciding factor when choosing a car. Thankfully the Toyota has a lot to back up its game.

Beginning with power and efficiency, the Wigo does pretty well. The 998cc 3 cylinder provides a maximum power output of 66 PS at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 89 Nm at 4400 rpm. The engine has received a slight power boost from the last iteration and delivers a more peppy response. While the power is sufficient for most purposes, the more important figure of mileage is very encouraging. Because of its lightweight nature at just 840 kg, it returns over 18 kmpl with the manual.

Being a hatchback, the car has its downsides. You will, however, be hard pressed to find them. There is ample room in the back to seat three in comfort. Large windows give it a roomy feel. Headroom is great too. The rear seats also fold down to make room for extra luggage. The small dimensions at 3660 (L) X 1600 (W) X 1520 (H) mm mean that the car is light on its feet. The steering is light and the suspension setup is tuned for comfort over unruly roads. The light weight means that it does need a lot of effort to stop either.

But let’s face it, we don’t expect much when we speak of the interiors and the equipment levels. However, Toyota has prepared a surprise here too. The Wigo comes with a quite well-equipped infotainment system. It is revamped and now comes with a navigation ready touchscreen. There are the usual connectivity options and a not so usual steering wheel with audio controls. Paired with the 2 speaker sound system, it is a refreshing departure from other cars of the segment.

There are decent safety features too. The Wigo comes equipped with airbags for both the driver and the front passenger. There are anti-lock brakes and seatbelts for all seats. Engine immobilizer and remote locks are also standard. These features together have allowed the Wigo to have a 4 out of 4-star rating in adult occupant safety.

Lastly, when you step out of the Wigo you can admire one of the more handsome shapes in the segment today. The overall look has become more dynamic without being too shouty. The wheels are nicer. The rear has been redesigned a lot and now features honeycomb mesh, a wavy spoiler and refreshed taillights. The front is not left untouched either. The upper grille has become slimmer while the lower air intake now takes up almost the entire front end. The fog lights are surrounded by plastic that makes it look like eyelashes. Together with the larger headlights, it is definitely on fleek.

As we said in the beginning, choosing a car in this segment is not easy. But when you consider that all this comes with the Toyota badge and promise of reliability and ease of service, it is easy to understand why it makes for good value for money.