Toyota Avanza G – First Impressions

After a decade, we finally have an all-new Avanza on our shores. It gets an upgrade in all aspects as it now sits on a new platform. This includes a new exterior and interior design, transmission, and power is now delivered to the front-wheels instead of the rear in the previous model. I’m sure you’ve seen the spec sheet so I won’t dive on it that much. What’s important here is how it all adds up in a real driving condition, at least for the city. 

Toyota Philippines let me try out the new Avanza G on my own route. From Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City, I drove it to roads I’ve known for a long time – QC Circle, UP Diliman, Visayas Avenue, then back to Wildlife. And before I proceed further let me just say, this new Greenish Gun Metal Mica Metallic paint on the all-new Avanza is really beautiful both in the shade and under the sun. 

Once inside the Avanza, the new dashboard left me smiling. There’s no soft touch bits except on the steering wheel, but I enjoy the myriad of textures found on the dash and the door panels. It’s a lot to take in though but I’m really glad that cup holders on the sides of the dash returned and they’ve rid of the gated shifter housing for a linear one. Together with the two-tone color of the dashboard, the cabin certainly looks contemporary now.

I had a small hatchback with me when I went to pick up the Avanza in Wildlife. If you’re not familiar with the place, the road going to that park is a dead-end portion of North Avenue that has some drainage covers sticking out or caved in. With my small hatchback, these drainage covers can be jarring even at 30-40 kph, which is why it’s better to avoid them. The Avanza had no problems with it though as it easily cruised through them.

The humps of UP Diliman were also conquered easily. It felt like they had asphalt over them as the Avanza smoothly crossed over it despite me not making any extra braking precaution. It’s a significant difference when compared to my small hatchback but definitely a night and day contrast with the older Avanza. This was further emphasized when I went through Visayas Avenue which had sections in bare, patchy concrete devoid of asphalt. The Avanza breezed through it with minimal vibrations in the cabin and with significantly less road noise. 

Apart from the better riding comfort, the all-new Avanza also received a new transmission in the form of a CVT. It’s combined with the old 1.5L engine that was tweaked to put out a couple more digits in horsepower and torque. I was expecting something lively like the one in the Raize since this has a bigger engine but the new Avanza has a very mild power delivery. It’s subjective if this is a good or bad thing but for me, I find it appropriate for a family car. The powertrain might leave you wanting for more in certain situations like if you’re going on an uphill with a road hump. But other than that, everything is manageable especially in stop and go situations. 

Exclusive to this Avanza G is the Blind Spot Monitor that has indicators on the side mirror. Usually these sensors can detect objects just outside the usual reach of the mirrors but the Avanza has pretty good units. It can sense objects that are relatively far, it’s bordering on being paranoid. I appreciate them though, especially when I went through Quezon City Circle without traffic and cars are swerving for exit/entry on both sides of the car.

Last is the space. The all-new Avanza is 70mm wider than the previous model. Not a lot, but enough to be noticeable and for Toyota to squeeze in a center console armrest in front. The biggest beneficiary though is the third row occupants since now, they have more elbow room than before. 

My quick drive with the all-new Avanza ended on a high note. It has much better riding comfort, a smoother transmission, and better horizontal space than before. The new tech also worked without a hitch. Comments on the other aspects of the car would have to wait until I can do a full review but for now, it’s safe to say that the Avanza is back to take more slices of the MPV pie that its rival is enjoying.