Today is all about the Honda City facelift, which made its world debut in Thailand this afternoon. The refreshed City sports a new front end inspired by the current Civic – which has captured the imagination of many – plus some minor trim and leather changes inside. The top models get paddle shifters and smartphone connectivity has been improved. No changes to the mechanicals and Thai prices.
It may be just a minor refresh, but arch-rival Toyota isn’t going to let Honda enjoy the spotlight all to itself. The big T has an ace up its sleeve as well, and the Bangkok Post reports that a facelifted Vios will be launched in Thailand. How soon? Next week!
In March last year, the Vios was given a update that didn’t alter the compact sedan’s looks, but gave it an all-new heart. The update, which arrived here in October 2016, gave the Vios a new 1.5 litre Dual VVT-i engine and a CVT automatic gearbox with seven virtual ratios to replace the long-serving four-speed auto.
With the technical update already checked, this round of updates has to be a facelift in the more traditional sense – with design updates to keep the Vios looking fresh next to the City. Last April, Toyota wheeled out a Vios facelift for the China market – that car’s big-mouthed face is very similar the aggressive new look of the 2018 Toyota Camry that was unveiled in Detroit this week. Will ASEAN get this fearsome face?
Let the games begin!
GALLERY: China-market Toyota Vios facelift
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
New engine and gearbox. The best just got Better!
Best when back in 2003 you mean? During 1st generation
Dugong disguised as ultraman. Very bad disguise though.
Very soon uncle will look for new job to sell kimchi.
Selling used kimchis are the best trade in Malaysia all because there are suifficient sorhais that buys them new
Wow…stunning and sexy…and very sporty…kudos toyota…luv the new grille…
Malaysians can never forget the past 15 years, Camry, Altis and Vios had no VSC and only 2 airbags in Malaysia
But in overseas, Toyota had VSC and 7 airbags minimum in all their cars.
UMW rather see you die or cacat than sacrifice their untung the past 15 years.
You dare to buy from such an unethical company who cares nothing for your life?
In 2016 UMW put VSC in all their cars cause sales were ZERO
Can sale as goreng pisang! Good RV, reliable & value for money
Looking at this facelift, makes the weirdly futuristic designed Sienta looks awefully beautiful. The new Vios headlights, imo, is better than the current ones but those small nostrills with big mouth front bumber though, doesn’t really blend well with the rest of the car. But hey it’s a Vios, people would still buy it for sure.
This Vios is better than Civic.
You sir, need an eye surgery treatment.
The current one looks better at the front. What they need to fix is the rear.
Yep that’s true. The side profile is acceptable
The current one has sporty front end with bland rear. This newer one has weird front end, and yet another bland rear. That’s why I said the design didn’t blend well for the car.
The grille looks like G-string.
Toyota Vios 1.5 G-String
Deswai its sexy maaa…
Kia is a better brand than toyota…so ugly those vios
KIA? U have no idea what u’re talking about.
P1 fanboy spotted
p1 is not related wor
Didn’t see anyone getting the rio
How many KIA been sold each month in Malaysia again ?? lol… face palm
Severely underpowered and so called upgraded from a 4 speed to a 7 speed CVT with virtual ratios. Do the right thing , just use a conventional torque covertor 6 speed auto. As for the engine use a direct injection turbo. Anytime I will buy a VW Vento TSI or even the new Honda city facelift. The vios will never sell well.
malaysian hard to please. 1.5 NA and u expect a 6 speed auto? never heard gear hunting prob due to small little torque engine? CVT is the best pair with city car. At this market buyers looking for reliability not power alone.
Now the new Dugong has multi level dentures. The fastest car on PLUS highway . Ah Lian would be wet soon
Consider a used Elantra. Great value for money
toyota already shown next Camry(2018 USDM) in NAIAS exhibition. why no article/blog about that?
youtube also got few intro video…
You mean this? http://paultan.org/2017/01/10/2018-toyota-camry-longer-and-lower-with-tnga-platform-2-5l-vvt-ie-with-8at-focus-on-dynamics/
Cheers buddy :)
The Vios is looong overdue. With the ever presence City, you have been out muscle, out smart & out sell by the City. Toyo/UMW are too slow to update their Vios.
Hopefully, U will regain your pride/sales with the updated Vios that at least put U on par if not better than the City.
IMO, when Vios came out, U have set a benchmark in the B-segment car but U became complacent & the City & even the Almera overtook U.
Never let your past results make U Big headed. In order 2 regain your battered pride/ego, U have 2 make yourself better than B4.
Big T may be a top car manufacturer in the world But it does Not gives U the right 2 take your customers 4 granted. Hope U increase your quality & services else Tan Chong will overtake U in no time.
Something not right here.. the grill is too big and ugly!
City facelift looks better but vios looks uglier..
feel bad after the purchase of the new vios. Rattle has been detected in 1 months and the aircond is not powerful during hot day. handling is not too good. However, fuel consumption is amazing!
sorry for you. so far mine is good enough. this kind of car..nothing to talk about its handling..unless it’s a proton. rattling and nvh is minimal (compared to jazz). aircond is cold..but blower a bit weak.
ASEAN NCAP 3 stars only
flowerhorn bnyk ong!
For buyer of new Vios with 4-speed auto, bfr March 2015, you actually being cheated. You’d have realize when they announce the new dual vvti engine last year that this new Vios supposed to be announced with new engine. Earlier adopter merely being used to save face and fill in the gap for toyota’s slow response to competition. Think of it, where’s the logic of having a new look in & out after decades but only new engine came months later!