The all-new 2022 Toyota Avanza officially starts its retail sales today. The entry-level 7-seater MPV gets massive changes from the top down.
First introduced in the Philippines in 2006, the Avanza has become an image of versatility and reliability perfectly suited for Filipinos’ mobility needs. Developed as a spacious vehicle which can seat seven people with room to spare for items and luggage, this MPV has been a choice for many for its capability as a trustworthy road companion.
“The Philippines loves commercial vehicles or CVs. Through the years, MPVs have served as a practical choice for the day-to-day needs of Filipino families,” said Toyota Motor Philippines President Atsuhiro Okamoto.
“And we love giving our customers choices! That is why we are reintroducing our reliable, tried-and-tested model in the compact MPV segment. I am sure this full model change of this well-loved family car will bring more happiness for all,” he added.
Eschewing its rear-wheel drive, body-on-frame platform, the all-new Avanza now shifts to a unibody, front-wheel drive platform. The global platform stretches the MPV’s wheelbase while also improving its overall packaging and efficiency.
The all-new Avanza gets an updated exterior featuring a “sleek and active” design, split-type LED headlamps and for the G variant, 16-inch alloy wheels. It also comes with additional convenience as it now has the push start button system and a 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information display for the G variant, and auto-fold side mirrors for both G and E variants. Better fuel efficiency and improved driving experience is guaranteed with every trip with the new front-wheel drive and CVT transmission.
Despite the platform shift, Toyota has opted to carry over the powertrains. This means that the Avanza is available in both 1.3-liter (1NR-VE) and 1.5-liter (2NR-VE) flavors. The now transverse-mounted engines make 98 horsepower and 122 Nm of torque or 106 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque. This is connected to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT.
While the nameplate isn’t known for packaging efficiency, the 2022 Avanza changes that. Standard across the range is what Toyota calls “Long Sofa Mode.” This seating allows either the first-row seats to fold back to meet the second-row, or the second-row seats to fold forward creating a footrest for those in the third-row.
Safety is always the utmost priority, especially for a contemporary family mover such as the 2022 Avanza. The G and E variants are equipped with a back camera and back sensor, while the G variant is equipped with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Camera Traffic Alert for easier parking and maneuver. It also features Vehicle Stability Control and 6 SRS airbags (G variant).
The Avanza is priced at P813,000 for the entry-level Avanza 1.3 J MT, P928,000 for the mid-grade Avanza 1.3 E MT and P984,000 for the Avanza 1.3 E CVT, and P1,039,000 for the top-of-the-line Avanza 1.5 G CVT. It comes in five colors: White, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Black Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Greenish Gun Metal Mica Metallic.