Sleek all-new Toyota Avanza officially revealed

Leaked towards the end of last month, Toyota, on the eve of the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, officially unveiled the all-new third generation Avanza and its sportier Veloz sibling markets in South East Asia will be receiving from next month.

Designed from the ground-up in being based on Toyota affiliate Daihatsu’s version of the TNGA platform known as Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) that underpins the Rocky and Raize, the Avanza, which will more than likely once again be sold as the Daihatsu Xenia in some markets, measures 4 395 mm in overall length with its wheelbase rated at 2 750 mm, height at 1 700 mm and width at 1 730 mm.

Compared to its decade old predecessor, the new platform has resulted in a length increase of 205 mm, wheelbase of 95 mm, height of five millimetres and width of 70 mm.

Thanks in part to its attire, made-up of a mesh pattern grille, different headlights, chrome accents, revised bumpers and door sills, the Veloz is longer overall and wider than its sibling with respective measurements of 4 475 mm and 1 750 mm. Wheel sizes range from 15 to 16-inch alloys with the Veloz riding on model specific 17-inch alloys.

Boasting styling from the Daihatsu Multisix Concept shown at the Indonesian showpiece four year ago, and also from certain North American models such as the Highlander and Sienna, plus the Corolla Cross, the Avanza is also different underneath in that it now sports a monocoque rather than a ladder-frame chassis.

This means a switch from rear-wheel-drive to front-wheel-drive with the new architecture also seeing the departure of the live-rear axle in favour of a torsion beam with MacPherson struts remaining at the front.

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As indicated by the leaked images, the interior signals a big departure from the old Avanza with the new look and design being topped by a touchscreen infotainment system previous models never had.

Available in seven or nine-inches, the display is flanked by a new instrument cluster that comes in two designs; a 4.2-inch TFT display and a full seven-inch digital configuration on higher-end models.

Capping the interior off is a new climate control panel and centre console that houses a redesigned gear lever and wireless charging pad, a steering wheel taken from the Hilux and Fortuner, and a RAV4-style shelf underneath the glovebox.

While once again providing seating for seven, the Avanza’s safety and driver assistance systems have been dramatically overhauled to include, depending on the trim level, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, Front Vehicle Departure Alert, Pre-Crash Assist, Pedal Misoperation Control, surround-view camera system, six airbags and Hill Start Assist.

Up front, the initial choice of engines will comprise two normally aspirated petrol units with no word of turbocharging or hybrid assistance just yet.

Carried over from the previous model, the entry-level 1.3 makes 72kW/122Nm and the top-spec 1.5 78kW/137Nm. Both are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox with a CVT replacing the dated four-speed automatic as the self-shifting option on the latter.

In Indonesia, where production takes place, the Avanza will have a choice of two trim levels; the 1.3 E manual and the 1.5 G in manual and CVT forms.

For the Veloz, which makes exclusive use of the 1.5-litre engine, two grades are offered; the unbadged base model equipped with the manual gearbox, and the Q that comes as standard with the CVT.

Price-wise, the Avanza kicks-off at 206 200 000 rupiah (R221 631) for the 1.3 E with the Veloz 1.5 Q CVT equipped with the Toyota Sense Safety system completing the range at 291 500 000 rupiah (R313 314).

Despite having amassed a solid reputation in South Africa and being one of Toyota’s top-sellers, the Avanza is not expected to be offered locally following its replacing last month by the Rumion based on the Suzuki Eritga.