It looks like the 2022 Honda BR-V will have some big competition next year from the next-generation Toyota Avanza. Snapped completely undisguised at a Toyota showroom in Indonesia, it’s a signal that its launch is getting very near.
Published by Indonesian automotive publication AutoNetMagz, it shows a giant leap for Toyota’s small MPV. Underpinned by a brand-new platform shared with sister company Daihatsu, the 2022 Avanza features a long wheelbase in proportion to its overall length. Together with a second row that slides fore and aft, it could translate to best-in-class (or near best-in-class) interior room.
Shown in the top-of-the-line Veloz trim, the exterior is decidedly more angular and boxier giving it a more muscular stance. The front-end, with its trapezoidal grille give it a strong SUV-like design as does its more aggressive fender flares. The headlights look to be LEDs. A unique design cue is a chrome strip that starts from the top of the grille and runs through the headlights to the sides. Five-lug pattern 17-inch wheels look to fill in each corner (with rear disc brakes), while at the back, it gets a set of full-width LED taillights with the words, “VELOZ” spelt out in the middle.
As changed as the Avanza is outside, inside is where it’s truly impressive. The dashboard looks much more modern and cleaner and gains the two-tone black-and-white color scheme that first debuted in the Rush. It also looks to have a large infotainment touchscreen and even ambient lighting.
The 2022 Avanza, at least in Veloz trim, also looks to gain a lot of niceties too like a push-button starter, a digital instrument cluster, and steering wheel controls. It also looks to have an electronic parking brake with automatic hold. At the back, there’s an overhead AV monitor and USB chargers.
So far, Toyota has kept quiet on the mechanical details, but again, if the Avanza does move to the DNGA platform that’s also used by the Raize, it means dropping the tried-and-tested rear-wheel drive ladder-on-frame body for a front-drive unibody one.
As for engines, the likely candidate would be the same turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine found in the Raize. With that, it makes around 98 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque. It’s a long shot, but it could also possibly use the normally-aspirated 1.5-liter Dual VVTi engine found in the Vios/Yaris. The transmissions are said to be either a 5-speed manual or CVT.
Finally, gander at the windshield and Toyota logo upfront confirms that the 2022 Avanza will also gain advanced driver assist systems (aka Toyota Safety Sense). This may include features such as autonomous emergency braking or even adaptive cruise control.
With the all-new Avanza scaling up in terms of features, it could also mean a big increase in prices. This has prompted reports that Toyota will be keeping the current Avanza for a little while longer for fleet requirements.
Whatever the case, this development means the launch of the all-new Avanza is imminent. The wait won’t be long.
Wow, the Avanza has gotten huge. Looks like it's approaching the Innova in size. So far this seems to be a massive improvement. Can't wait for the launch.
ReplyDeletemodern platform, improved engine and transmission, improved safety, disc rear brakes. shaping to be much better than current class leaders like xpander and ertiga.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Toyota listened to the numerous critisisms. From the absolute worst to I think could very well be the best in its class along with the new BR-V.
ReplyDeleteFinally Toyota phased out their old platforms which they used for decades and short-changed a lot of buyers. These localized platforms tend to be used & abused for a very long time unlike the platforms used for global nameplates like the Corolla, Camry and Rav4.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what will happen to the Innova..
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Toyota PH is that they only react to market conditions. They really don't set the trend or give proper value for money, at least here in the PH. If they had it their way, they'd sell us the same engines for the next 25 years. Look at the current Camry, the engine it uses, save for the alleged HP tweaking, is the same old engine from 2007. If it were not for the influx of the "China" cars offering premium value at bargain prices, they would never bother to upgrade the units they sell here in the Philippines. Expect the price of this model to jump by 400k (at the very least).
ReplyDeleteif aint broke dont fix it
DeleteThey need to innovate rather than fix it...or else it will just become obsolete.
DeleteThere's nothing premium to these Chinese cars as they use faux materials and lack brand prestige. Premium and bargain will never belong in the same sentence. They only seem "premium" to the untrained.
DeleteI don't think the allnew Avanza will be launched here anytime. Because it's getting head on Collision with The Rush segment.
ReplyDeleteI Think they're also going to replace the rush soon if the new avanza rides on a new architecture
DeleteFirst of all, the size of the Avanza, Rush too, is not a proper 7 seater. Filipinos are small but not midgets. It's crazy a car company would even try to sell such cars not fit for what it's intended. It's an mpv for midgets.
ReplyDeleteeven the side mirrors are now separated from the door sills wow. hopefully moving to dngs will improve nvh to the same levels as its japanese mpv counterparts like the NOAH
ReplyDeleteRush is not handsome. So if new Avanza comes in, some buyers may shift to the Avanza. New Avanza maybe higher than what is now but should still be cheaper than an incoming new Rush. The old model Avanza body parts can be retained for the cargo model if this sells. But then again when a new Avanza body is there, the SUV counterpart will follow suit so I think today TMP will just wait for Avanza inventory to deplete, in comes the new Avanza.
ReplyDelete