Toyota Avanza

Avanza Overview

The Toyota Avanza is one of the most affordable family vehicles in the country. This small multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is known for its cost-effective utility and practicality. It’s an incredibly versatile car to own and drive, so it’s no surprise why it remains one of the most popular car choices for Filipino families. The seven-seater is Toyota’s entry-level MPV and was first launched in the country back in early 2012. The Avanza first became known for its light, small, and car-like unibody construction. The first generation model sported a contemporary yet simple style. However, it was in 2015 when Toyota gave the vehicle a more sleek and upmarket facelift.

By 2019, the Avanza was sharper and had a more sporty look. This refresh saw a major overhaul in the vehicle’s design which included new wheels, new taillights, distinct split headlights, a reshaped front fascia, and a brand new grille. The interior also received a complete makeover with a more modern dashboard that sported added trim detailing and sharper lines. It was also after 2015 that Toyota gave the MPV’s higher end variants a touchscreen infotainment display system. The 2019 version also got an updated infotainment system as well as new digital air conditioning controls.

Toyota also launched the all-new Veloz variant back in 2017 for drivers who are looking for some added sportiness and energy in their MPV. For those who find seven seats a little too much, the J variant offers a 5-seater option. Toyota Motor Philippines currently offers two engine options for the Avanza. The first is a 1.3-liter engine while the other is a larger 1.5-liter engine. These new powertrains are already updated dual VVT-I four cylinder inline 16-valve DOHC engines. The latest iteration of the Avanza currently remains one of the country’s best-selling vehicles today.

Toyota Avanza Interior & Features

The interior of the Avanza is more tailored towards practicality rather than premium styling. Most of the materials used are still composed of hard plastics. However, Toyota did still give the Avanza’s interior an upgrade by making the design more modern thanks to its sharper lines and added trim detailing. This is evident in the now much cleaner and improved dashboard. For its 2015 refresh, the higher variants of the Avanza also received a touchscreen infotainment system. The 2019 version further improved on this with an updated infotainment system as well as new digital air conditioning controls. For the seat covering material, fabrics were used.

The Avanza is most well-known for being a spacious family car and is able to seat up to seven passengers. Its long wheelbase of 2,655 mm has allowed the vehicle to include a third row at the rear end. All the seats on the MPV can be easily configured to accomodate all kinds of passengers and cargo use. The rear seats can also be folded for more cargo space when needed. This makes the vehicle a flexible choice for families.

Comfort & Entertainment

It is equipped with various convenience and storage features including a total of 17 cubby holes and cup holders. The base five-seater variant only includes 11. For the air conditioning, the Avanza is outfitted with a manual type A/C while the rear cabin has roof mounted A/C vents.

Since the Avanza is only an entry-level MPV, drivers can expect basic to intermediate tech features for the MPV. However, there are a number of powered features included in the vehicle for the windows, side mirror adjustments, steering, and door locks. In the middle of the dashboard is a 6.8 WVGA display audio with smartphone mirroring which is also equipped with CD, DVD, MP3, auxiliary input, USB, and Bluetooth. A hands-free function lets the system pair with up to two phones while music streaming can be paired up with five.

Avanza Exterior

The recently facelifted Avanza retained the original mono body two-box shape of the previous generations. However, despite this, Toyota managed to give the MPV an entirely new sportier and sharper skin which is the same kind of styling found on the latest Toyota models on the market right now. Back in 2015, the Avanza received its first design refresh with the vehicle getting a more refined look and feel. For 2019, Toyota swapped out the original grille and reshaped the front fascia. The Japanese car company included new headlights, new taillights, as well as new wheels. This makeover follows the three-tier front lighting trend that is currently common with most modern car models today.

The latest Avanza now features a unique split headlamp design, a large gaping front air dam, and lip spoiler. This design style is comparable to the Toyota Alphard, one of the car company’s premium minivan models. The MPV also has new 15-inch alloy wheels which give the vehicle a more modern and classy appearance. For the top of the line Veloz variant, it is outfitted with a special smoked chrome grill and rear garnish. Meanwhile, all variants are equipped with LED headlights except for the 5-seater base variant which comes with halogen headlamps.

Meanwhile, the rear end offers more significant changes. While it still sports the same taillights as previous iterations, it now includes the addition of cosmetic tail light garnishes which are connected by a prominent chrome bar. This gives the vehicle a more premium and modern look, creating a sense of luxury even for an entry-level MPV such as the Avanza. The Avanza is currently being offered in the following colors: White, Beige Metallic, Silver Mica Metallic, Gray Metallic, Black Metallic, and Dark Blue SE. The top of the line Veloz variant is exclusively available in Dark Red Mica Metallic.

Passenger & Boot space

The Avanza is a seven-seater MPV and is known for offering extensive cabin and cargo space, gaining it a reputation for being a flexible family car. Passengers can expect copious amounts of legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. All seats can be manually configured as well, making it easy to arrange the space according to passenger and/or cargo needs. The third row seats can also be folded to make more space at the rear.

For those who find the seven-seater variation too large, Toyota also offers the five-seater base J trim as a more compact alternative. One downside is that the seats aren’t well-padded, which might make long-distance trips a bit uncomfortable.

Toyota Avanza Ride & Handling

The Avanza manages to perform well on the road without needing to use too much power. However, when fully loaded, drivers may expect the small MPV’s 1.5-liter gasoline engine to push itself harder compared to when it’s dealing with minimal cargo or passengers. The vehicle’s 4-speed automatic transmission delivers just the right amount of responsiveness to get the job done. But since the Avanza is an entry-level MPV, it definitely lacks the spirited shifts one might find on mid- to high-level models.

In terms of handling, the steering can often feel a bit too light that it might feel somewhat numb at the center. This isn’t much of a problem when driving in the city since the vehicle also offers good driving visibility and wide glass panels. Drivers might still encounter a bit of a challenge when encountering curves. At the end of the day, the Avanza is still a workhorse vehicle so this definitely isn’t the right car for anyone who’s looking to speed down the highway. However, while it’s performance and handling won’t necessarily blow drivers away, the 1.5-liter engine still manages to deliver an excellent ride experience for a small MPV. The vehicle can go from 1-100 kph in 12 seconds with the automatic transmission, which aren’t bad numbers.

Avanza Engine & Fuel Consumption

The Avanza sits on a Daihatsu-sourced platform which is similar to the Toyota Rush SUV. Indonesian-based Daihatsu Motor was one of the first to develop the Avanza back in 2006. At the time, it was marketed under both the Daihatsu and Toyota Motors brands.

This mini MPV comes in a 5-door wagon body style and measures 4,200 mm in length, 1,600 mm in width, a wheelbase of 2,655 mm, and a ground clearance of 180 mm. For the suspension setup, the Avanza is outfitted with a McPherson strut with a stabilizer for the front while the rear end has a 4-link with a lateral control rod. For the brakes, the front have ventilated disks while the rear wheels received lead-trailing drums.

The vehicle is available with two engine options. It can be powered by a 1.3-liter 1NR-VE chain drive mill with Dual VVT-i capable of producing 95 hp and 121 Nm of torque. Another option is the 1.5-liter 2NRVE which delivers a larger 103 hp and 136 Nm of torque. These can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Similar to previous generations, it comes in a conventional front engine-rear-wheel drive configuration.

Fuel consumption

Unfortunately, one of the things buyers won’t find on the Avanza is a fuel consumption meter. Drivers can expect to consume only half of the MPV’s 450-liter fuel tank when driving a total of 204 km. This is around 9.06 km/L. 80 percent of these figures were done driving in heavy traffic with the remaining 20 percent on open roads.

This can still vary depending on the amount of passengers and cargo on board. Drivers can expect more fuel consumed with heavier loads since the engine needs to work harder to produce power. On the other hand, minimal load sees only enough power used to pull the MPV for daily driving.

Toyota Avanza Braking & Safety

The Avanza is equipped with a number of standard safety features such as dual SRS airbags for the front, 3-point seatbelts for the rest of the passengers, side door impact beams, an anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, and ISOFIX child seat tethers. For a Toyota vehicle, some may find this model lacking the typical suite of safety features such as the likes of Toyota Safety Sense and parking assistants.

However, the Avanza still offers the basics that can guarantee protection. The latest iteration of the MPV still hasn’t received its ASEAN NCAP rating, however, the previous version scored 4 stars for adult occupancy protection and 38% for child occupant protection.

Avanza Verdict

Is Toyota Avanza a good car?

The Avanza is a great choice for those who want a spacious and reliable hauler under the Toyota brand. While it’s not the most elegant or sporty family car, it makes up for its practicality and flexibility. Drivers who want a straightforward, no-fuss MPV will enjoy this basic mover. At the end of the day, it delivers and can haul cargo or people from point A to point.

Since the Avanza is an entry-level MPV, there aren’t many tech features to go around. However, Toyota has equipped the vehicle with a number of convenience and storage spaces including up to 17 cubby holes and cup holders. For the infotainment system, Toyota updated the latest version. The latest Avanza is now equipped with a 6.8-inch WVGA display audio that includes a smartphone mirroring function, auxiliary input, DVD, CD, MP3, Bluetooth, and USB. It also comes with a hands-free feature which lets users pair with up to two smartphones. For music streaming, it can pair with up to five devices.

Toyota Avanza price Philippines:

Avanza 1.3 J MT-P743,000
Avanza 1.3 E MT-P876,000
Avanza 1.3 E AT-P919,000
Avanza 1.5 G AT-P1,012,000
Avanza 1.5 Veloz-P1,077,000

Final Words

The Toyota Avanza is one of the most affordable and versatile small MPVs on the market. It’s no surprise why it remains one of the most well-loved cars by Filipino families. While it lacks the flair and elegance of other existing MPVs and family cars, the brand of practicality and reliability under the Toyota badge guarantees that it’s a vehicle capable of lasting even under strenuous demands. Besides being a family vehicle, it also performs well as a cargo hauler and can be easily configured to accomodate all kinds of loads. While the P1 million price tag of the top of the line G variant might be a bit too hefty for a small MPV, the rest of the lineup offers affordable choices for different budgets and needs.