Toyota Veloz

A replacement to the Avanza, the new Toyota Veloz is a seven-seater MPV that is versatile and well-equipped to suit any needs.

It underpins the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, akin to the new Perodua Alza.

Locally-assembled (CKD), UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is offering only one variant of the Veloz, priced at MYR 95,000, on-the-road and without insurance.

Each purchase comes standard with a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty. As an add on, a Toyota Service Savers package is also offered, priced at MYR 1,780 for a 3-year/60,000 km package, or MYR 2,790 for a five-year/100,000 km package.

Five exterior colours are available, e.g., Silver Metallic, Blue Metallic, Red Metallic, Metallic Bluish Black, and White. The first two are two-tone schemes - a black roof finish for MYR 1,300 extra.

The Veloz has a straightforward dashboard layout. It features a two-tone black and white finish with blue LED ambient lighting hidden behind soft-touch padding on the panels. All the elements are placed logically and driver centric, for a better driving experience. Overall, the craftsmanship is premium quality, exuding elegance. 

It features a 7-inch segment negative LCD and digital speedometer Multi-Information Display (MID). 

The seven-seater’s interior sees an all-black semi-leather upholstery with manual adjustable front seats, 6:4 tumble slide second-row, and 5:5 tilt down third-row.

It offers plenty of head, shoulder and legroom, thus front and rear occupants get ample space. The space is very generous due to the stocky and bulbous design of the body. 

It has numerous storage areas including large sized door pockets, small and large backseat pockets, compartmentalised storage areas in the centre console including a cavern storage space and a decent-sized glove box.

There are multiple cup holders. A total of 15 are located all around the cabin, from front to back.

Multiple outlets are available. E.g., three USB charging ports (one front/two rear), two 12-V power sockets (one centre console/one rear deck), and a Qi 2.4 wireless charging pad (centre console).

It has a 498-litre boot space with the third-row seats stowed. Plus, the standard roof rail offers extra load capacity of 75 kg.

Weighing in at 1,185 kg, the new Toyota Veloz stands at 4,475 mm long, 1,750 mm wide, 1,700 mm tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,750 mm.

It exudes a low-slung and blocky exterior, featuring Toyota’s signature trapezoid grille in a glossy finish. 

Commandingly matching the grille is the lower air vent, and tying every element together are the chrome trims, detailing the front.

The rear end’s design is angular yet bulbous at the same time. It is simplistic with puffy contours that aids to its overall appeal. 

It features a slim roof edge spoiler, and also a chrome Veloz script placed in the middle section of the tailgate.

The headlamps are angularly shaped and have a very focused design. They are full LED units with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), auto levelling, sequential turn signal, Follow-Me-Home, and Leaving Home functions.

Very slim and pointed, the tail lamps are full LED units in a Harrier-esque lightbar design that stretches across the middle tailgate, giving it a very bold and distinct outlook. 

The side mirrors are auto retractable with signal lamps, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) indicators, and foot/puddle lamp.

It comes with a set of 17-inch two-tone multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 205/50 R17 Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres.

The Veloz features the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), which includes Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Pre-Collision Braking Assist (PCBA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Full Speed Range and Stereo Cameras, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) with Steering Assist, Lane Keeping Control (LKC), Front Departure Alert, and Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB). Others include 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Pedal Misoperation Control (Front).

Passive safety includes 6 airbags (driver, front passenger, side and curtain), seat belts (reminder for all seats, two front seats 3-Point ELR with pretensioner and force limiter, three second-row 3-Point ELR, two third-row 3-Point ELR), ISOFIX (two rear), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Electric Parking Brake (EPB), parking sonar sensors (two front, two rear), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), auto brake hold, immobiliser, front Digital Video Recorder (DVR), and security and solar film.

There are three drive modes – Power, Eco, and Normal.

The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of ADAS, along with the accompanying systems will make driving in the city or long distances a hassle-free endeavour.

It is installed with a 9-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (wired/wireless), navigation, USB and Bluetooth.

It features a six-speaker setup (four speakers, two tweeters).

Powering the Veloz is a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC with Dual-VVTi, 2NR-VE engine, producing 78-kW/105 HP of output at 6,000 rpm and 138 NM of torque at 4,200 rpm.

It gets a seven-speed CVT automatic transmission with manual mode.

All power is sent to the front wheels.

It has a fuel tank capacity of 43-litres.

The Veloz comes with Smart Entry and Start system, illuminated entry system, auto headlamps with Follow-Me-Home and Leaving Home function, side mirrors (foot lamp), multi-function steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments, front and rear wipers with speed linked intermittent and reverse linked function, front and rear single-zone automatic air-conditioning (individual rear controls), 15 cupholders, wireless charging pad, portable tyre pump, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), front and rear parking sensors, and PVM camera.

There’s a rear air vent with individual controls, located at the second-row and third-row.

It is very spacious and extremely comfortable, safe and suitable for a daily driver. The seats are supportive and well-bolstered. The ride quality is good, agile over bumpy surfaces yet firm enough to be pushed hard.

It has good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects, and there are no abnormal wind issues at any speed.

The Toyota Veloz offers a lot in its build. Namely, the edgy and modern outlook, the cabin space with its robust shape, and the advanced connectivity features.

Its exterior is striking with harmoniously sharp proportions and powerful contours, while the interior is premium built with quality materials and refined detailing. 

A well-balanced MPV, its suite of ADAS and other accompanying safety features are also a major bonus, making driving anywhere and anytime a tireless routine.

Offering a little bit of everything, the Toyota Veloz is very satisfactory, especially with all the bells and whistles it comes with at the price offered.