Mere weeks after launching their first hybrid MPV, Toyota Motor Philippines turned their attention to the smaller segment and launched the all-new Wigo. It’s now on a new platform that’s bigger than before and has a lot of improvements in key areas. The starting price is at PHP 609,000 and is available in three variants – J, E, and G. Read on in case you weren’t able to see it during its launch weekend in Trinoma.
Overhaul in Design
The all-new Wigo features a front end that’s somewhat reminiscent of the Avanza. It has a flatter nose with a larger air intake assembly in the middle, while the Toyota logo is laid on a slimmer chrome grille. The headlights are longer leading to a sleeker look, while the fog lights are now vertically oriented LEDs.
The side features a fading character line but is a bit more experimental with another upswept curve by the rear wheels. It gives proper emphasis on the new Wigo’s nicely shaped hips but is abruptly cut for the angular rear end. It has contours that’s similar to the front clip, but this one is all about the lines. The taillights are also more squarish and don’t extend to the tailgate anymore.
The all-new Wigo gets a significant bump in numbers. It’s now 100mm longer and 65mm wider which gives the hatch better legroom and elbow room that can be immediately felt once in the cabin. Headroom is a bit compromised as the Wigo is 5mm shorter than the previous, and it also sits lower with 160mm of ground clearance.
Inside, the dashboard is almost a copy of the Raize’s, except for a few touches here and there. It retains the interplay of textures on the different levels of the dashboard that gives the Wigo a more premium look than its predecessor. Same with the floating touchscreen placement and the higher center console for the shifter. The manual aircon controls for the G variant still have a digital display but in a more compact module that’s easier on the eyes.
Much Needed Upgrade
The Toyota Wigo still runs with a 1-liter engine that makes 66 horsepower and 89 Nm of torque. What’s different this time around is the engine is paired to a CVT giving it a smoother drive and theoretically, better fuel efficiency but we’ll have to wait for a full review to test that out. What I can say is that in my quick drive with the all-new Wigo around BGC, it does perform better than the 4-speed automatic it used to have and shifting is really smooth.
Great Standard Features
What’s surprising about the all-new Wigo is what it offers as standard across its range. All variants get LED headlights, clearance lights, and fog lights infront. There’s also safety bits in the mix as they get dual front airbags, ABS, Stability Control, and Hill-Start Assist. Add to this a 1-DIN radio and that’s the J variant in a nutshell.
Move up to the E trim and you’ll get the 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, steering wheel audio buttons, rear wiper, rear sensors, and keyless entry. Unfortunately, the E still has manual side mirrors that don’t have a stalk in the cabin. That means you really have to roll your windows down to adjust it.
As expected, all creature comforts are in the top of the line G variant. It has smart entry, push start button, power adjustable and power folding side mirrors, LED third brake light, digital display for its manual aircon, and 6-way manual seats for the driver meaning it has height adjustment. It also has adjustable and removable headrests for all seats. In terms of safety, the G gets additional alarm, rear camera, and a built-in dashcam.
The all-new Toyota Wigo has been trimmed down to three versions and starts at PHP 609,000 for the J MT, while the E CVT comes in at PHP 684,000 and the G CVT is at PHP 729,000. Silver Metallic and Gray Metallic are available for all variants, while the Yellow SE is for E and G only. Red Mica Metallic and Orange Metallic are exclusive colors for the G trim.
