Next-gen Toyota Vios: Top 7 changes expected

As the current Toyota Vios is already 9-year old and started showing its age behind the wheel, it’s time for a generation upgrade. Yes, a brand new fourth-generation Vios is about to arrive. Toyota Thailand has just announced the world debut for the 2023 Toyota Vios i.e. August 9, 2022 along with releasing a teaser video of the revamped car. 

While taking into account the teaser clip, earlier spied images and the market reports, here we bring the top 7 changes that are expected to be seen on the upcoming Toyota Vios - 

A fastback-like shape 

The curved roofline and the raked rear windscreen suggest that the body of the upcoming B-segment sedan is inspired by the Daihatsu DN F-Sedan Concept, previewed at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in 2017. The shoulder line also bears resemblance to the concept car.

Camry-like front grille

The upcoming Toyota Vios features an all-new massive grille on the front, which reminds us of the Camry sedan with its large gaps. 

New headlights and tail lights 

The teaser also showcases the redesigned headlights, which look much similar to the units we can find on the Toyota Corolla. Further, a quick glimpse of the sedan’s rear tells us about a new full-LED tail light setup of the car, which is teamed up with sequential turn indicators.

A classy-looking interior 

Just like the exterior, the Vios interior also received a full revamp as we can see a complete and clear shot of the cabin in the video. It features - 

• A sleek dashboard finished in a striking maroon shade
• A freestanding touchscreen infotainment unit 
• A three-spoke steering design similar to the Toyota Raize and Daihatsu Rocky
• Classy red-on-black interior finishing
• Quilted leather seats

Beside these apparent revisions, new convenient and comfort bits are most likely to be on the 2023 Toyota Vios specs sheet.

New DNGA platform

The new Vios underpins the new DNGA platform (Daihatsu New Global Architecture), which underpins the Perodua Ativa, recently launched Perodua Alza as well as the upcoming Toyota Veloz. For those who are not aware, Daihatsu is part of the Toyota family, just like Perodua. 

This new underpinning is a unibody/monocoque base that is more sophisticated than the ladder frame architecture. It features thicker, high-tensile-strength steel plates for improved rigidity and better safety and it prioritises stability and optimises vehicle behaviour and response on different terrains.

A new 1.5-litre hybrid

With a new platform, the underbody setup is also likely to get a new powertrain option. That’s a new hybrid mill consisting of a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder DOHC petrol engine and an electric motor. It seems to be Toyota's answer to the Honda City RS hybrid. 

While there are no details on the engine’s output levels as of now, the reports suggest that it could mirror the Toyota Aqua hybrid specifications. Under the Aqua’s hood, the 1.5-litre three-cyl engine makes a maximum output of 91 PS and a peak torque of 120 Nm while the electric motor delivers 80 PS and 141 Nm of torque. Together, the system churns out a total output of 116 PS. 

The Honda City RS e:HEV, on the other hand, comes equipped with an i-MMD hybrid system combining 1.5-litre NA engine and an electric motor. The combined system output is rated at 108 PS and 253 Nm.

Besides the new hybrid mill, the next-gen Vios is likely to get the ongoing 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine in the Land of Smiles. This seems to be a country-specific affair as the current Malaysia-spec model is powered by a 107 PS/140 Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder mill instead of that.

Advanced safety tech 

In terms of safety, we expect the upgraded sedan to be loaded with more advanced safety technologies. These may include Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beam, and Tyre Pressure Warning System.

So, these were the top 7 changes we expect from the 2023 Toyota Vios. For exact details, we need to wait for its debut, which is just two weeks away. Information as to when it will arrive in Malaysia is not available at the moment.

Also read: Toyota Veloz previewed in full; here’s what makes it different from the new Alza