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

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