The Vios’s introduction in Laos is significant for two reasons. First, it’s the first time the all-new sub-compact sedan has been referred to officially as the Vios. Second, it makes its global debut as a left-hand drive model.

Exterior-wise, the Laotian market Vios is pretty much the same as the Thailand market car except for the wheels. Having said that, both use the same 195/60R16 tire size.

Now, here’s the interesting bit. While Thailand Yaris Ativ had to use a 1.2-liter Dual VVT-iE engine with 94 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque to meet that country’s Eco Car requirements, this left-hand drive model features, you guessed it, a carryover powertrain (displacement-wise).

For the Laos market, it gets a 1.3-liter 1NR-VE engine (versus the current 1NR-FE) making the same 98 horsepower and 122 Nm of torque. It also gets a carryover 5-speed manual or CVT (not Super CVT-i) gearbox. While Laos doesn’t get a 1.5-liter engine, this lends credence to the possibility that the 2023 Vios will also make this engine available for markets that need the extra 200-ccs of displacement such as the Philippines.

At the rate of Toyota’s regional roll out of the all-new Vios, it’s just going to be a matter of time before the Philippines gets this much-awaited sedan too. Will it arrive just in time for a preview at the Philippine International Motor Show? Let’s see.