Toyota’s latest model in the Japanese market is the Toyota Mark X ZiO (pronounced geo). Some of you may find that the Mark X ZiO looks abit familiar – that’s because it is essentially the production version of the Toyota Flexible Saloon Concept that Toyota exhibited back in 2005.
The Toyota Mark X ZiO’s ZiO moniker refers to it’s multiple “Zones in One”, which is what Toyota calls the car’s flexible cabin arrangement which allows the car to be used as a sedan, a station wagon or a minivan.
The interior has a three row layout which can be specified as either a 6 seater or a 7 seater. The 6 seater model feature captain seats in the second row providing a 2-2-2 layout, while the 7 seater model uses a regular bench for the second row (2-3-2 seating) with a large foldable armrest in case the 7th seat is not needed. The third row seats can be folded into the floor to increase boot space into one equivalent to a station wagon.
There are two engine options for the Toyota Mark X ZiO: a 3.5 litre 2GR-FE V6 engine mated to a 6-speed Super ECT gearbox or a 2.4 litre 2AZ-FE inline-4 engine mated to a Super CVT-i stepless gearbox. The 2.4 litre model has optional four-wheel-drive, but front wheel drive is standard.
The 3.5 litre model comes with 18 inch wheels while the 2.4 litre model uses 16 inch wheels. Both models use large diameter disc brakes on all four wheels. Safety features include a pre-crash safety system which uses millimeter-wave radar to detect a high risk of collision: this activates pre-crash seatbelts and the pre-crash brake assist system.
Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control or S-VSC takes stability control systems to the next level by adding steering control to methods like engine power cutting and braking when the stability control system tries to stabilize a car that is out of control.
Other neat features include a radar-assisted cruise control system which maintains a fixed distance from a preceding vehicle if there is one, and there is also an Intelligent Parking Assist system which uses data from ultrasonic sensors to control steering wheel operations for you during parallel parking. There is also a 190 degree wide angle camera at the front for you to see the ground in front and at the front sides of the vehicle.
The Toyota Mark X ZiO looks like a JDM model for now, but you can always have one if you have enough money – just ask the grey importers.
More photos available after the jump.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
the first pic of its front looks like camry headlamps.. not to mention camry steering wheels..
looks fantastic, at some angles remind me of the ford focus, from the front.
vios private viewing for tribe toyota members this friday. paul, i got a spare invite. interested?
Looks like a higher build quality then normal MPV’s or maybe thats just the pictures
This is fwd, while the mark x is rwd. Wont it mess up by using the name mark x zio.
Mark x is rwd, while this one is fwd. zzz
The front face remind me to the Vios dugong’s profile.
don’t think it will ever officially come to Malaysia
I’m sorry but I feel the exterior (at least) looks like a chinese car?!
the front wheel arches look like new mazda6 and new mondeo wheel arches…
will this replace the current caldina??
it has package like caldina for sure…
if you look details & specs..you will find the specs are all similar to Ipsum 2.4 vvti.
both mid are Mpv with 6 or 7 seats, shifttronic gear, flex seating, mean for people mover
haha, i was just gonna ask the same question as nanashisan…..
Paul, is that the platform same like it’s sibling Camry model..It also looks like the R-class but in Toyota version…
It might be hot if it is built to be a hothatch
somewhat…..APX bonnet curve,