SUBANG JAYA: With a sportier appearance and improved convenience features, the new Toyota Avanza is set to entice new buyers looking for an affordable compact multi-purpose vehicle with a reputation for solid reliability.
While getting bolder grille, wheel arches, bumpers, and head and tail lights with a three-dimensional appearance, the seven-seater Avanza is also slightly wider and longer which translates into a roomier vehicle.
Door handles have been changed to the grip type from the lift-up type which is widely used in many popular vehicle models today.
The second generation Avanza also uses more high-tensile steel in its construction that reduces its weight by some 20kg while maintaining body rigidity.
The two-tone dashboard featuring a high-quality textured surface, is now repositioned lower to create a more spacious feel for the driver and front passenger.
The dashboard also has an extra upper vent to direct cool air towards the intake of the ceiling mounted second blower to increase its efficiency.
The second row seats are 50:50 split-type and has a one-touch fold-and-tumble feature to make it easier to enter and exit the third row seats. The third row seats are also divided into two sections to increase their flexibility.
The each front door pocket has been redesigned to hold three 600ml bottles while those at the rear doors can store two such bottles each.
The Avanza is sold in three grades of S, G and E, and a choice of 91bhp 1.3-litre and 103bhp 1.5-litre engines which are said to be tuned for lower emissions and better fuel economy compared with the previous generation’s.
All 1.5-litre variants are paired to a four-speed automatic transmission while the five speed manual gearbox is only available in the 1.3-litre version.
New in the Avanza is the electric steering system that helps to reduce fuel consumption compared with the hydraulic steering system in the old model.
The instrument panel now feature a 3D-like meter cluster with silver-painted rings for improved readability.
Standard equipment for the S and G grades are dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and 15-inch alloy wheels.
The S, G and E grades with automatic transmission also get a 2-DIN audio CD system with MP3, AUX, USB and iPod compatibility.
The metallic top-of-the-line 1.5S with automatic transmission is priced with an on-the-road with insurance at RM79,590, the metallic 1.5G automatic (RM77,290), the metallic 1.5E automatic (RM72,590) and metallic 1.3E manual (RM64,590).
Fully imported from Indonesia, the Avanza comes in four colours of white, silver mica metallic, dark steel mica and maroon mica.
At today’s launch, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd president Ismet Suki said the company was aiming to sell 8,800 units of the new Avanza this year.
“The first generation Avanza was launched in October 2004 and it became the best-selling non-national model for three years from 2005 to 2007.
“In total, we sold over 140,000 units of the first generation Avanza till the end of 2011,” he said.