Showdown: 2009 Honda City or Toyota Belta (Vios) facelift?

With the all-new Honda City coming to Malaysia before 2008 comes to a wrap, this new B-segment sedan is set to entice present City owners to 'upgrade'. Perhaps some of the previous generation Toyota Vios owners as well?

Have your pick...

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Dashboards and frontal interiors:




Rear three-quarter angle views:

Toyota Rush 7-seater midi-SUV to launch soon

The Malaysian midi-SUV/MPV market is about to get crowded very soon with the addition of Toyota Rush 7-seater aka Dahaitsu Be-Go/Terios long wheelbase version. Despite those junior RAV-4 SUV looks, don't be fooled thinking that it's a 4WD. Unlike Perodua Kembara (1st gen Daihatsu Terios), it's NOT a 4X4. All is not lost though, since 2WD may be a good thing - for better fuel efficiency - considering the spiralling fuel prices.

Available only in rear-wheel drive configuration, the 7-seater Rush will be in UMW Toyota showrooms nationwide by 1st February 2008. Indicative prices are from RM83k - RM95k for the 1.5L powered Indonesian import (initial stages?) available in G (5-speed manual and 4 A/T) and S spec (auto only).

Rather baffling is the omission of ABS for the G-spec Rush. Equally disappointing is the fitting of only driver's side airbag for the G-spec that's estimated to cost between RM83k-89k. In contrast, the sub-75k Toyota Avanza 1.5G has ABS and dual airbags.

Wither the Nissan Livina 1.6 and 1.8? I don't think so, not if the RM90k-95k 'target price' for the Rush 1.5S comes true...no?

12minutes in a New Toyota Vios 1.5G!

By Dr Long

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I am not going to pretend like this is a test review of the new Toyota Vios because it isn’t, for the 12 minutes spent on-the-road is very brief. After a really short round in the driver’s seat this is what I can say:

1) The engine is sprightly for a 1.5L N/A unit but still sounded coarse towards 4000-5000rpm (noisy air induction), something I hoped would've been dampened out with this new generation

2) Ride is pretty soft, smooth and comfortable

3) Interior is better looking than its predecessor, centre-position meters’ housing being slimmer and wider now, hence less of an eye-sore. Two-tone interiors airy and classier to a certain extent

4) Steering, being an electric-powered unit is light

5) Front seats thigh support ‘lengthier’ now

6) Rear cabin space is appreciably more generous as well

7) Chromed outer door handles are strangely missing on the 1.5G, even absent on the ‘top-spec’ 1.5S!

8) The new Vios E's alloy rims are hideous half-baked items (vs the E-spec predecessor)

For those looking for a good, reputable, modern, no-frills and economical-to-run sedan now - or in 2008 - look no further if your budget is less than RM90k and you must have a brand-new unit. A word of advice though, you can skip the 1.5S, save that few grand by settling for 1.5G. It’s good enough for all practical reasons!

Related posts:

http://famouscardesign.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-vios-prices-confirmed.html

http://famouscardesign.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-toyota-vios-launchoops-i-meant.html

All-New Vios prices confirmed

Reader BMW.Toyota (who has booked a new Vios 1.5S) and his sales advisor have advised on the following confirmed prices for the all-new Toyota Vios (inclusive of insurance and road tax):

1.5E - RM78,700
1.5G - RM84,800
1.5S - RM88,100

The above prices are only marginally cheaper than the indicative prices revealed earlier at the new Vios preview.

Related post:
http://famouscardesign.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-toyota-vios-launchoops-i-meant.html