Toyota Motor PH trims Vios lineup anew, 1.5L engine now gone

In what can be seen as a move that could be a sign that the next-generation Toyota Vios is getting closer to our shores, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has further trimmed-down the country’s best-selling vehicle nameplate’s lineup.

The Japanese automaker has officially removed the top-of-the-line 1.5 G CVT variant from the subcompact sedan’s local lineup, effectively making the 1.3 XLE CVT the new top-spec variant. This comes the previous top-spec 1.5 GR-S CVT, as well as the 1.3 Base M/T and 1.3 E variants were discontinued. This also means that the 1.5-liter 2NR-FE engine is no longer available for the local-spec Vios.

With that, the 1.3-liter 1NR-FE engine is now the sole choice of powertrain for the Vios here in the Philippines. This still makes 99 horsepower and 123 Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or CVT.

The 1.5 G variant’s discontinuation also means that features such as LED headlights and daytime running lights, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, speed-sensing door locks, and power-folding mirrors, among others, are no longer available on any Toyota Vios.

This is now what the local Toyota Vios lineup, with each variant’s respective price, now looks like:

• 1.3 J M/T – Php 732,000
• 1.3 XE CVT – Php 774,000
• 1.3 XLE M/T – Php 862,000
• 1.3 XLE CVT – Php 902,000

If you’re still looking to secure a brand-new unit of the Toyota Vios with the 1.5L engine and more creature comforts, you’ll probably have to check with your preferred dealer to snatch-up the last of their unsold inventory. Other than that, you’d have to go for the XLE variant, or even other models like the Honda City or Nissan Almera.

Do you think this move by Toyota Motor Philippines means the much-awaited and long-delayed major facelift or even the DNGA-based next-generation Vios is on its way to our shores?