GIIAS 2016: New Toyota Calya – the RM40k 7-seat MPV

Toyota Calya GIIAS 3

We kicked off our GIIAS 2016 coverage with a world debut of a concept that previews an upcoming MPV, but here’s the MPV that has got the Indonesian car market buzzing, now. The mobil of the moment – the Toyota Calya. Revealed earlier this month, the seven-seater budget MPV makes its public show debut at ICE along with its Daihatsu Sigra twin sister, which we’ll get to later.

It’s typical of the Toyota and Daihatsu brands to share models here – both companies go way back and DMC is now a fully-owned subsidiary of the big T. Both carmakers also share the same local Indonesian partner, the Astra group. Both Calya and Sigra are made by PT Astra Daihatsu at the Karawang plant, a West Java facility with a 200,000-unit capacity. The cars have 94% local content.

The best-selling Toyota Avanza also has a Daihatsu twin in the more affordable Xenia. Where does the Calya stand relative to the Avanza’s “low MPV” segment? Below. While Toyota is not the first to offer a budget three-row car here – Datsun launched the GO+ Panca in 2014 – the Calya appears to be a more complete offering. Of course, it also has the all-important badge.

Toyota_Calya-13

Specially designed for the biggest country and car market in ASEAN, the Calya is an Indonesian Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) and shares a platform with the Toyota Agya/Daihatsu Ayla/Perodua Axia, which of course also underpins the new Perodua Bezza sedan that was launched in Malaysia last month.

LCGC rules cap engine size at 1.2 litres, so all Calya variants come with a 3NR-VE 1.2 litre four-cylinder engine with 88 PS at 6,000 rpm and 108 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm.

This DOHC Dual-VVT-i motor belongs to the same new NR family as the 1.3 litre unit that powers the Toyota Avanza facelift and Perodua Bezza. You can read more about the engine here. Two transmission options are offered for this front-wheel drive MPV – a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. The Sigra has the further option of a 1.0L engine.

Toyota_Calya-33

As the entry MPV in the family, the Calya is also the smallest in size. At 4,070 mm long and 1,600 mm tall, it’s 120 mm shorter and 95 lower than the Avanza. The 2,525 mm wheelbase is 130 mm shorter.

Chassis highlights (monocoque rather than the Avanza’s ladder frame) are as expected – MacPherson struts and ventilated disc brakes in front, and a torsion beam with drum brakes at the back. Electric power steering and 14-inch two-tone wheels (with 175/65 Bridgestone Ecopia tyres) complete the package.

This MPV could well be the production version of the Daihatsu UFC-3 concept from IIMS 2014, which was supposed to preview an MPV smaller than the Xenia. There are a number of styling details that are shared between the UFC-3 and Calya, such as the side window shape and some of the surfacing, although things have been toned down. What hasn’t been moderated is the aggressive face, which is similar in style to the sportier Avanza Veloz. The Calya’s rear lamps mimic those on the new Innova.

Two grades are available, E and G. Both come with reverse sensors, rear air circulator vents (not a full on rear AC), four power windows and a multi-info display. The G adds on front fog lamps, electric-folding side mirrors, side mirror indicators, silver interior trim and chrome accents in and out. A 2-DIN head unit with USB is standard, with the one in the G adding on Bluetooth and two speakers to make it four in total.

The 60:40 middle row seats tumble fold with one motion while the third row bench folds as a single piece. The two front seats have integrated headrests but those on the other two rows are height adjustable.

Safety-wise, the Calya comes with dual front airbags and Isofix child seat anchors. The G and E A/T come with ABS, while the entry E M/T does without it. Six colours, including the red and orange metallic shown here, are available.

The Toyota Calya is priced from 129.65 juta rupiah (RM39,662) to 150 juta rupiah (RM45,887) for the G A/T. It’s set to be a hot seller in this MPV-dominated populous country, but do you think such a basic car will work in the demanding Malaysian market?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Semi-Value (Member) on Aug 11, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    toyota hrv

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
  • kzm (Member) on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    Safety aspect kinda crap though..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  • The more I look at the title, the more it looks like GIlAS to me.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • CrazyMobilo on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    New Alza otw !!! Yaahoo!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 10
  • Ah Hii on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    P2 Bring this in please…I would like to have one :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 10
  • kumar on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:40 pm

    waiting for the Nirvana story.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Anything But P1, Greedy P2 on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Car price: 130 juta rupiah
    Average salary: 5 juta rupiah

    It is really sad that their government really screw up their country with devaluation of their currency where their people have to pay a lot in the ratio of their earnings for a carbage. Sounds familiar? Pretty sad.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
    • Sam Poo@Loo on Aug 11, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      If this cheap taik car came to Malaysia:

      Car price: RM80k (RM45k Indon price for high spec + RM30k ‘T’ badge and extra RM5k for TRD Stupidvo bodykits)
      Average salary: RM2k per month (even with that amount consider lucky already, as most ‘makan gaji’ workers here earn below RM1.5k per month)

      It is really amuse that the car distributor especially UMW really suck up dry their carbuyers where people have to pay through their nose in the ratio of their earnings for a cheap taik cars. Sounds familiar? Pretty sad, but lots of tai lan ngong will buy it anyway without second thought (somemore with 9 years loan).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Albert on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    This small mpv will be priced few thousand rm cheaper than Avanza.It will NEVER be around Rm 45-50k in Bolehland cos it will also kill sister P2 Alza.
    NEVER expect a CHEAP CAR from UMW.
    It is a pure miracle if it does happens,but it will NEVER HAPPEN,UNLESS Toyota Japan ditch UMW.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • Lim Ann Hock on Aug 11, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    Come to MALAYSIA the price of the car will Jack up at least double due to our stupid local car protection policy. For RM80k, you think can sell ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • the 2nd row and 3rd row even kids can’t fit!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • kanazai2001 on Aug 11, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    YES!!! definitely work in MY… IF it is 1.3L & it’s pricetag is right… mean slot in between beZZa & alZa…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Safety first on Aug 11, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    I wonder how many family will be destroyed by this model, underpowered n lacking in safety features…hope will not enter the Malaysian market..demand ESC, 6 airbags as standard. Safety is a right not privilege, Malaysians must wake up n boycott unsafe cars. Rather pay extra cash for safety than pay with our lives for unsafe cars.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
    • MY pipu dun persoal jepunis overlords. They just shaddup and gip their money. Then go see agent for Nirvana.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
    • WickedSwicket on Aug 11, 2016 at 10:15 pm

      I couldn’t agree with you more.
      Sadly, the Malaysian motoring public would rather pay for keyless entry, push start, auto wiper, auto lights & all that crap rather than 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD & the likes …

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Nope. At least those features u said do function. MY pipu actually wud pick tissue box holder, teh tarik hook and celup jepunis badge rather than 6 airbags, ESC, TC, HPF. Thats why I oso intro my fren from Nirvana

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • WTH, ugly to max

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • wawasan2020 on Aug 11, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    If you saying proton juara is ugly ..this toyota is his cousin …born with same ugly ancestor …

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • I think it will sell like hot cakes here. Sell it as a perodua entry 7 seater with a 1.3 only variat, the engine found in bezza. Can be used as a carried and a mercant van

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • kumar on Aug 12, 2016 at 9:13 am

    whats with Toyota and their ugly cars. all the designers left? wake up T.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Dont come to malaysia pls, malaysians deserve a better spec car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Toyota Avanza is ladder frame chassis? I doubt it…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Will calya comes in malaysia?what will be the price?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Will calya comes in malaysia?what will be the price?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • BEZZA BEATER on Sep 03, 2016 at 10:41 am

    BEST VALUE FOR MONEY MPV. GUARANTEE TOP SELLER IF45k

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • When is this coming to Malaysia? Need a cheap MPV!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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