2022 Toyota Avanza G Review | Philkotse Philippines

The seven-seater MPV segment in the Philippines is once again gaining traction as car brands are launching their new challengers. Toyota Motor Philippines drew first blood when it launched the all-new Avanza last March, and then Mitsubishi Philippines responded by introducing the refreshed Xpander. 

Other car brands in the local market are preparing to join the so-called MPV wars. The Nissan Livina is confirmed to make its Philippine debut on September 6. Hyundai Motor Philippines, on the other hand, is not wasting its time as it has already announced that the Stargazer MPV is coming into the country this year. 

The series of MPV launches is an indication that the said segment is a tightly contested one. The reason for that is a no-brainer since Filipinos love to travel in groups, and having a vehicle that can seat seven is a huge factor. That said, what can the top-spec all-new Toyota Avanza G offer? Can it maintain its supremacy over its segment rivals in the Philippines? Find out in Philkotse’s 2022 Toyota Avanza full review.   

The all-new Avanza’s exterior is better than ever, and it is poised to better challenge the modern-looking design of the Xpander as well as the other upcoming MPV rivals. It is fitted with split-type LED headlights integrated with LED daytime running lights, a large grille, halogen fog lights, and an angular bumper.

2022 Toyota Avanza

The Avanza’s front end now has a more assertive, and more appealing design as compared to the old model. It also somehow reminds me of how the Toyota Raize looks like when viewed up front but I find the Avanza’s fascia to be more imposing. Thanks to its massive grille, Toyota’s all-new MPV has a bold and confident demeanor. The headlight design complements the grille, creating an illusion that the 2023 Toyota Avanza has a determined gaze. 

It has crisp character lines on its side profile

Crisp character lines dominate its side profile. A straight character line runs through from the front fender all the way to the back, which I find nice as it gives the vehicle a simple yet distinctive appeal. I also like the design execution on the lines above the wheel arches since it gives the MPV added muscle. The all-new Toyota Avanza comes with 16-inch alloy wheels as well as power-folding side mirrors. 

The all-new Avanza has a more streamlined look

The rear now has a more streamlined look while the angular design detail continues to be seen. The all-new Avanza’s rear is not as loud as before design-wise, which is something I appreciate. If you can recall, the model it replaces has an over-the-top rear due to the taillight layout. That is not the case anymore with the all-new model as it now has a cleaner LED taillight cluster design. The new exterior design shows that the Avanza has already moved out of its puberty stage as it now gives a more streamlined yet assertive look.

The Avanza’s cabin has been heavily revamped, resulting in a more modern-looking interior. The overall dashboard layout now has more texture, which is lightyears away compared to the bare design of the old Avanza. Despite that, one can still notice the abundant use of hard plastic materials, which is already expected to keep the price tag as competitive as possible.  

Better dashboard layout as compared to the old model

One of the things that stood out for me is the Avanza’s new steering wheel design. It now looks more stylish, and has more flair to it especially when comparing it to the old design. Its size is now sleeker, giving a more premium-like finish. Of note, the top-spec Toyota Avanza G comes with a tilt & telescopic adjustment.

The aircon vents on the front interior are another design detail that I appreciate in the all-new Avanza. The vents are now seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, which adds to the cabin’s modern look. The dashboard also comes with cupholders as well as a textured storage compartment placed on top of the glove box. 

The all-new Avanza also has a restyled gear lever, ditching the zigzag pattern for an up-and-down or straight layout. To add, Toyota’s MPV has fabric seats with black and brown two-tone accents.

Second row passengers get decent legroom

Second-row seats offer enough leg- and head-room for up to three average Filipino passengers. It comes with a slide function that can give extra legroom for passengers seated in the third row. While space is not a problem, one might get a bit confused as to how the Avanza’s rear aircon works. The reason for this is that the vents for rear passengers come with a different and not the usual design. 

Instead of the traditional and familiar vent design, Toyota gave it a design twist by integrating flaps that adjust how the air flows from the vent. It looks new and out of the usual but adjusting it to reach the third-row passengers is a bit challenging.

The Avanza can accommodate up to seven individuals

Speaking of which, the third-row seats can accommodate two passengers. It has decent leg- and head-room but the third row is not the best place for tall individuals. Meanwhile, the all-new Toyota Avanza has a versatile seating configuration. 

The front seats of the Avanza can be folded back to link with the second-row seats. Also, the second-row seats can be folded to the front to provide a long sofa-like space for the third-row seats.
 
The said seat configuration is what Toyota calls a long-sofa mode. You can turn the Avanza’s cabin into a mobile room where you can relax or chill. It can also serve as a mobile playground for the kids. Whichever suits you. 

The top-spec 2022 Toyota Avanza G is equipped with tech and safety features you can expect from modern cars. It might be lacking some features when compared straight up with the current Mitsubishi Xpander. But, the Avanza is not lagging behind. 

It comes with Apple CarPlay

Placed right at the center of the dashboard is a floating type 8-inch infotainment touchscreen that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It looks better than the one fitted on the old model but, I find the Avanza’s new infotainment system a bit too thick, and plasticky. 

Another issue I have is that the USB port for the Apple CarPlay is integrated into the infotainment touchscreen itself. While it does the job and serves its purpose, the charger cable dangles from the touchscreen, creating clutter in the cabin.   

The Avanza's rear camera display

Good thing though, the Avanza’s infotainment transforms into a rear camera that can help you reverse safer and easier. However, I do wish that it already comes with dynamic guidelines to further assist the driver when reversing. 

The all-new Avanza G also has an engine push start, speed-sensing door locks, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also has six airbags, stability control, hill start assist, rear sensors, among others.   

The Toyota Avanza still uses the same 1.5-liter gasoline engine from the outgoing model that delivers 105 hp and 138 Nm of torque. But, the all-new Avanza now has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) instead of a four-speed automatic. 

Powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine

The new Avanza now also comes with monocoque or unibody construction as compared to the old ladder-frame design. Aside from that, Toyota’s MPV now features a front-wheel-drive setup.

I can say that the mechanical changes integrated into the all-new Avanza is a good move. The CVT offers a more pleasant drive as compared to the old four-speed automatic. It relatively shifts smoothly but it is a bit hesitant in delivering power, especially when the road suddenly goes uphill. 

Good thing though the Avanza’s gear ratio adjusts quickly enough for you to gain confidence when driving through uphill roads. It’s also wise to plan your overtakes well for good measure. In case you want more control over the gears, the Avanza has a manual mode.  

The steering wheel now looks sleeker

The steering wheel is also light, giving you a relaxed drive especially when you’re tackling urban streets. But, I notice that the Avanza’s steering wheel tends to be heavy when the vehicle is stationary or when you’re parking. Another thing I noticed is that the Avanza tends to have shift shocks at low speeds.

It has enough cargo space even with the third-row seats up

When it comes to ride comfort, the all-new Avanza is way better than its predecessor due to its unibody platform. The driver’s seat also has a good cushion as well as a decent side bolster, keeping you in place when you drive through wide turns.

The all-new Toyota Avanza G returned 9.7 km/l when I drove it around the city at an average speed of 20 km/h. On the open highway, it registered 19.4 km/l while driving at an average speed of 90 km/h.  

The Avanza showed better fuel economy numbers when compared to one of its segment rivals, the Mitsubishi Xpander. During our drive onboard the Xpander, Mitsubishi’s MPV posted 8.3 km/l in the city while 17.5 km/l on the highway.

The Toyota Avanza has enough arsenal to go head-to-head with its current and upcoming MPV segment rivals. Equipped with revamped styling, more pleasant driving characteristics, and a notable fuel economy, the Avanza is ready to pick a fight with the Mitsubishi Xpander as well as the upcoming Hyundai Stargazer, and Nissan Livina. Another thing notable about Toyota’s all-new MPV is that it retails at Php 1,059,000, a price tag that seems tough to beat.