Toyota Avanza: Should you buy it?
The Avanza is an entry-level 7-seater offered by Toyota for the Philippines market. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it a baby Innova, because that’s what it actually is. The Toyota Avanza is quite popular among the Filipinos for various reasons. Let’s have a look at some features of the Avanza that makes it a successful steal in the country, and whether or not you should buy it.
Appearance
Considering the fact that the Avanza is an entry-level 7-seater, it is quite pleasant to look at. The front of the Avanza features a sleek look thanks to the headlights and the broad chrome slat connecting them. Then we have got the big trapezoidal grille that gets a good treatment of chrome as well. The rugged and heavier look is further enhanced by the sculpted front bumper.
The rear of the Avanza features a vertical setup of taillights that are nicely integrated into the D-pillars. The boot lid has got a few sharp creases to get the boredom out of the equation. Toyota offers a few interesting Avanza color options. We really like the Nebula Blue Metallic and the Red Mica Metallic that is available on with the top-end model.
Interior
This is where the Toyota Avanza really excels in terms of space. It has got a roomy cabin. Accommodating 6-7 people wouldn’t be problematic at all. There is a good amount of space for all the occupants seated in al the three rows. The seats are quite comfortable and offer a good amount of support as well.
If we look at the features, Toyota has kept the list short and basic. The fit and finish are decent, and the materials used inside the cabin don’t feel cheap but aren't of the best quality either. The dashboard is nicely laid out with a 2-DIN touchscreen audio system that handles the music for you. It also doubles up as a navigation system. The steering wheel is quite decent and has got a few mounted buttons. Behind it is a conventional meter cluster with large numbers that are easily legible.
Engine
Talking about the Avanza specifications, it is available in two engine options for the Philippines market. There’s a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 95 hp along with 121 Nm of torque. The other engine is a slightly powerful unit - a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder unit that produces 103 horsepower and 136 Nm of torque. You get either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission available with both the engines. Toyota claims that the 1.5-litre engine has been fine-tuned to suit the character of the Avanza, therefore, it will give an optimal blend of performance and fuel efficiency.
Safety features
In terms of safety features, the Avanza ticks off some of the basic checkboxes. It has got dual airbags (driver and passenger side) along with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that is further aided by Electronic brake force distribution (EBD).
Verdict
To be honest, the Toyota Avanza is a decent entry-level MPV that has been designed to easily carry 7 people onboard for short or long distance journeys. With the kind of interior space it has, its primary objective of being a 7-seater is fulfilled. It also offers a fair level of cabin comfort. We would have given a big thumbs up to the Avanza, but fortunately or unfortunately, Toyota launched its Rush which offers a whole lot more at a similar price point.
The Toyota Rush beats the Avanza in many aspects by a huge margin. It has got better looks with features like stylish alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, etc. The interior is also much better than that of the Avanza. Toyota has given prime focus on the safety features of the Rush. It comes with dual front airbags, along with side airbags (front seats only), and curtain airbags that cover all the three rows.
There are four Toyota Avanza variants available in the country which offer both manual and automatic gearbox depending on which one you pick. The Toyota Avanza price starts at Php 721,000 for the base model and you’d need to pay Php 1.06 million for the top-end Veloz A/T model. The top-end model of the Rush is available at Php 1.07 million which seems to be a better deal. You can also get the lower-end models at Php 948,000 and Php 988,000 with a manual and automatic transmission respectively.
Eventually, it all comes down to personal needs and preferences. But it is quite clear that the Rush appears to be the right choice here. With the launch of the Rush at this price point, Toyota itself created a rival for its Avanza, which has impacted its sales, which wouldn’t improve unless Toyota either increases the price of the Rush or decreases the price of the Avanza. Or perhaps, Toyota has some other plans?
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Seating
8
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2
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8
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7
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Power Steering
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Air Conditioner
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Rear A/C Vents
Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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Adjustable Seats
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Foldable Rear Seat
Yes
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No
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Yes
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2nd Row 60:40 & 3rd Row 50:50 Split
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Headlamp Type
Halogen
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Halogen
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Halogen
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Projector
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Anti-Lock Braking System
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Driver Airbag
Yes
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-
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Yes
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Yes
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Parking Sensors
No
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No
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Yes
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No
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