One of Toyota Philippines' most successful models, the recently facelifted 2019 Toyota Avanza builds on the success of the platform, introducing a slew of upgrades that help keep it a strong contender for those looking for a seven-seater small MPV. Still riding on the same platform since its introduction in the Philippine market in 2006, the venerable Toyota Avanza has ticked most of the boxes for an entry level MPV in the market.
Featuring a ladder frame that’s welded together with the body and floor pan, the Avanza technically rides on a unibody chassis that offers good ground clearance and versatility. Platforms aside, most of the changes to the 2019 Toyota Avanza are comprehensive, still retaining the tried and true 1.3L and 1.5L gasoline engines that make 95 hp and 121 Nm of torque for the former, and 105 hp and 136 Nm of torque for the latter. A choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions are carried over for the latest iteration.
A new face
The most immediate changes come in the form of a heavily restyled exterior design, adopting a split headlight design that’s now LED equipped for better visibility in the higher variants. A new grille design mimics that of the Alphard minivan and Lexus models, and a tweaked front bumper helps elevate the front styling of the Avanza considerably. At the rear you get a more prominent horizontal chrome trim piece and taillight extensions. New wheel designs and updated side mirrors with integrated turn signals finish off the refresh.
Updated cockpit
Perhaps the biggest interior change that many will notice right away is the new 6.8-inch infotainment screen that’s standard on G and Veloz trim levels. This infotainment system offers smartphone mirroring, bluetooth connectivity, USB playback, and AUX. Lower trims get a standard 2-DIN system with USB, CD, and AUX support, but ditching the bluetooth. A digital air conditioning control stack is also nicely integrated beneath the infotainment unit, offering a display that’s easy to read and manipulate. You also get a pair of charging ports for the rear passengers and a redesigned instrument cluster.
New safety kit
The 2019 Toyota Avanza gets two front airbags, three point seatbelts for all passengers, and ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution. ISOFIX mounts are also thrown in to help safely tether child seats, helping the Avanza step up to meet the needs of growing families. Reverse sensors and an optional reversing camera help round up the safety updates.
Slotting right below the Toyota Rush, the Avanza offers a more attainable package at P731,000 for the entry level variant. Opt for the 1.5L trims and it gets closer to the pricing of the Rush, but you do get an automatic transmission and the seven-seater as standard. For more information and additional pricing details refer to our previous article on the new 2019 Toyota Avanza.
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