Toyota Veloz

Interior and cabin experience

The Toyota Veloz boasts of a well-designed interior that prioritizes both comfort and functionality, making it a strong contender in the compact MPV segment. The cabin is modern and stylish with a mix of soft-touch materials, leather accents (on higher trims), and well-placed silver or piano black trim elements that enhance the premium feel. The dashboard layout is ergonomic

Seating comfort is a highlight of the Toyota Veloz, with well-cushioned seats that offer adequate support for long journeys. The Veloz is a seven-seater, and the second-row seats provide good legroom and headroom, with a one-touch tumble feature for easy access to the third row. The second-row seats slide and recline for better comfort. The third row, while more suited for children or short trips, is spacious than many competitors in the segment. Climate control is effective, with rear air vents ensuring all passengers remain comfortable regardless of their seating position.

Ambient lighting add to the premium experience. The automatic climate control system keeps the cabin cool and comfortable. It’s complemented by rear air-conditioning vents for better airflow distribution.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Spacious cabin
• Comprehensive features

Cons

• Lots of plastics in entry-level trim
• Third-row comfort limited

Features and technology

The Toyota Veloz gets a 9.0-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display is bright. The system is also paired with a six-speaker audio setup, providing decent sound quality for an enjoyable in-car entertainment experience. The cabin gets multiple USB charging ports, strategically placed to ensure that everyone can keep their devices powered during long trips. The wireless charging pad, available in higher variants, adds an extra layer of convenience.

The automatic climate control system ensures a comfortable cabin temperature, and rear air vents keep passengers cool, particularly in the tropical Philippine climate. 

The Veloz is equipped with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster that provides clear and concise vehicle information. This display allows for customization.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Responsive infotainment
• Multiple charging points

Cons

• Touchscreen response is sometimes delayed
• Cooling takes time

Boot space and storage

With all three rows up, the Toyota Veloz provides a boot space of 350 litres, sufficient for small luggage and daily essentials. With the third row folded, boot space increases to 498 litres. The cabin gets numerous storage compartments, including large door pockets, backseat pockets, compartmentalized central console, and a glove box. There are 15 cupholders and bottle holders in the cabin. 

Pros

• Decent boot size
• Convenient door pockets

Cons

• Limited cargo with full seating
• No dedicated underfloor storage

The Toyota Veloz is a stylish and modern compact MPV that exudes a premium feel with its bold exterior design. It measures 4,475mm in length, 1,775mm in width, and 1,700mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, giving it a well-proportioned stance that enhances both aesthetics and practicality. Unlike its sibling, the Avanza, the Toyota Veloz adopts a more sports utility vehicle-inspired design, featuring a prominent hexagonal grille with a sleek honeycomb pattern, complemented by sharp, angular headlamps with integrated daytime running lights (DRLs). The car gets all-around LED lighting. The sculpted hood and muscular character lines along the sides add a sense of dynamism, while black plastic cladding around the wheel arches and lower bumper further emphasize its crossover appeal. 

At the back, the taillights with a connected light bar create a modern and sophisticated look, enhancing visibility while adding a premium touch. The Toyota Veloz runs on 17-inch alloy wheels (depending on the variant), which not only improve road presence but also contribute to its sporty appeal. Chrome accents on the grille, door handles, and window trims elevate the overall design, while a subtle roof spoiler and a rear skid plate reinforce its adventurous character. 

Overall, the Toyota Veloz strikes a perfect balance between practicality and style, making it an attractive option for families seeking a refined yet rugged MPV. The car is available in Silver Mica Metallic, Black Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Dark Red Mica Metallic colours.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Premium and stylish look
• Large alloy wheels

Cons

• Some plastic cladding
• May seem overstyled

The Toyota Veloz returns a mileage of around 10kmpl in city traffic and 15kmpl on highways. It’s one of the more fuel-efficient MPVs.

Pros

• Fuel-efficient
• Nice pickup

Cons

• Not much suited for highway driving
• Modest-size fuel tank

The Toyota Veloz is designed primarily for comfort, and it delivers a smooth and cushioned ride, making it an excellent choice for city driving and long trips. The suspension system absorbs bumps and road imperfections well. The ride feels slightly firmer compared to its sibling, the Avanza, but this actually enhances stability without compromising comfort too much.

At highway speeds, the cabin remains relatively quiet, with minimal road and wind noise intrusion. However, over rough or uneven roads, the ride can feel slightly stiff due to its 205mm ground clearance, but it’s never overly harsh.

The FWD setup provides predictable handling, and body roll is well-controlled for an MPV, courtesy the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) on which the car is mounted. It lends the car a more planted feel around corners compared to traditional ladder-frame MPVs.

Pros

• Stable at moderate speed
• Handles corners well

Cons

• Suspension sometimes get bouncy
• Slight body roll

Performance and driving dynamics

The Toyota Veloz is hauled by a liquid cooled, four-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine that outputs 105PS/138Nm of torque. The motor is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While not the most powerful in its class, the engine delivers adequate performance for city driving and highway cruising, with smooth acceleration and minimal lag. The transmission is seamless and contributes to a refined driving experience. 

The Toyota Veloz’s powertrain delivers a refined and dependable performance, making it a practical choice for Filipino drivers looking for a stylish and efficient crossover.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Responsive powertrain 
• Smooth CVT

Cons

• Underpowered for highway
• Delayed pickup 

This Veloz is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) that includes a pre-collision system, automatic high Beam, and lane departure alert. Additional safety features comprise a panoramic view monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, hill-start assist control, and six airbags. Standard across all variants are antilock braking, vehicle stability control, and hill-start assist. 

The Toyota Veloz also incorporates intuitive driving aids such as an electronic parking brake with auto-hold functionality. These features collectively enhance driver confidence and passenger protection, positioning the Toyota Veloz as a compelling choice in its segment.

Pros

• Antilock braking
• All-around monitor

Cons

• Lacks adaptive cruise control
• Certain features omitted 

Competitor comparison

Toyota Veloz vs Honda BR-V: The Toyota Veloz and Honda BR-V are both seven-seater cars with modern features. The Veloz offers a premium interior, great fuel efficiency, and a softer ride. The BR-V has a more powerful engine, better handling, and Honda’s safety suite. The BR-V suits performance seekers, while the Veloz prioritizes comfort. 

Toyota Veloz vs Mitsubishi Xpander Cross: The Toyota Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander Cross are both seven-seater MPVs with sports utility vehicle styling. The Veloz offers a premium interior, advanced safety features, while the Xpander Cross boasts of a rugged design, higher ground clearance, and a smoother ride. Both are practical, but the choice depends on preference.

Toyota Veloz vs Suzuki Jimny: The Toyota Veloz has a more modern design and spacious cabin and is ideal for families. The Suzuki Jimny is a compact 4x4 sports utility vehicle with rugged off-road capability but limited space. The Veloz suits city driving, while Jimny excels in rough terrain. 

Conclusion

The Toyota Veloz is a well-equipped MPV that offers a premium driving experience, making it a great choice for families looking for style, safety, and practicality. While it may not have the most powerful engine, its fuel efficiency, technology, and overall comfort make up for it. 

Who should buy: Urban professionals, big families, and those who need a practical MPV.