2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT Review

The B-segment MPV market in Malaysia has always been a fiercely contested segment among family users. This type of vehicle needs to balance space, features, and practicality, while keeping the price within the budget of an average household. The 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT, as a popular player in this segment, stands out with its seven-seater layout, rich intelligent safety configurations, and Toyota's renowned reliability. Many consumers want to know if it can truly meet the needs of various scenarios. In this test drive, we focused on testing its space practicality, performance, and daily driving comfort to see if it deserves the label "first choice for families."

In terms of appearance, the Veloz's design leans towards a youthful style, with overall rigid lines. The front features a large trapezoidal grille with a black honeycomb design inside, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, giving it a high recognition factor. The lower portion of the bumper has shapes resembling air ducts on both sides, along with a silver front lip decoration, making it sportier than the previous model. On the side, 17-inch dual-tone multi-spoke wheels are paired with 205/50 R17 tires, creating a harmonious proportion. The waistline runs from the front to the rear, and there is a recessed design on the lower part of the doors, adding a sense of dimension. At the rear, the LED tail lights adopt a through-type design, connected in the middle by a black trim strip that creates a striking effect when lit. The lower part of the rear bumper has a silver skid plate and hidden exhaust, giving an overall simple yet layered style. The lighting system features full LED configuration, with automatic headlights and front fog lights as standard, making daily use convenient.

Sitting inside, the interior design focuses on practicality, with a symmetrical layout for the center console. The upper part is wrapped with soft-touch materials, with silver trim in the middle, providing a good tactile and visual experience. The 9-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system is the centerpiece, angled slightly towards the driver for easier operation. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making phone connectivity very convenient. Below the screen, physical buttons are retained for controlling the air conditioning and volume, which allows for easy blind operation. The instrument panel is fully digital and can display information such as fuel consumption, navigation, and the status of safety systems, with clear interfaces. In terms of features, keyless entry, push-button start, and a multifunction steering wheel are all standard. The front row features single-zone automatic air conditioning, while the rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents, and there are USB ports available for the third row, ensuring that all passengers are taken care of. The seats are made of fabric material, with manually adjustable front seats that have storage pockets on the backrest. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward and have a 60:40 split-folding design with a center armrest. The third-row space is sufficient for short trips for passengers under 170 cm. When folded down, the trunk space can be expanded significantly, making it suitable for loading large items.

Space performance is one of the strengths of the Veloz. Its body dimensions of 4475mm in length, 1750mm in width, and 1700mm in height, along with a wheelbase of 2750mm, position it among the top levels in its class of compact MPVs. After adjusting the front row to a comfortable position, a 180cm passenger will have about one fist of headroom. The second row offers over two fists of legroom, with a wide sliding range. Even when adjusted to its forward-most position, there is still about one fist of legroom in the third row. Although not spacious, it is more practical than many compact MPVs. Regarding storage space, the door panel storage compartments can hold two bottles of water, and there is a wireless charging area below the center console (although not listed on the configuration sheet, the test drive model had it). The central armrest box in the front row has a decent capacity, the second-row seatbacks feature storage pockets, and the third row also has cup holders—ensuring there is space for small daily items. The trunk in the 7-seat configuration can fit two 20-inch suitcases, and with the third row folded flat, it can accommodate a stroller or a folding bicycle, making it highly practical.

Powertrain-wise, it is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum horsepower of 106PS and a peak torque of 138N·m, paired with a CVT gearbox. During daily driving, it starts off relatively briskly, with linear throttle response, and it operates smoothly at low speeds in urban driving; after accelerating beyond 60km/h, the power output becomes more gradual, requiring a deeper throttle press for overtaking, during which the gearbox simulates gear shifting, increasing the RPM to over 4000 for the power to match. There are two driving modes: Eco and Normal. In Eco mode, the throttle response becomes slower, making it suitable for urban commuting; in Normal mode, power delivery is more direct, and the RPM stays around 2000 at highway cruising speeds with low noise. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 5.2L/100km. During our test drive, it was approximately 6.5L in congested city traffic and about 5L on highways, which meets expectations.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is lightweight and precise, making city parking and U-turns very easy; the suspension uses a front MacPherson strut and a rear torsion beam, tuned for comfort. It can filter out most of the bumps when going over speed bumps or rough roads, ensuring rear passengers don't feel too jolted. When driving through bends, the body roll is not significant, and the chassis provides good stability, which is sufficient for everyday family use. Safety features are a highlight of the Veloz, as it comes standard with the TSS Intelligent Safety System, including ACC Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Active Braking, Front Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, and more. The ACC is very practical for highway cruising as it allows for automatic following. The 360-degree panoramic camera offers high definition, enabling clear visibility of nearby obstacles when parking, making it easy for new drivers to handle.

For driving comfort, the sound insulation is well-executed, with tire and wind noise being barely noticeable during city driving. At highway speeds of 120km/h, wind noise increases slightly but doesn't impede conversation. The seat support is excellent, allowing long periods of travel without discomfort. The second-row seats are adjustable in angle, and although the third-row seats are somewhat thin, they are acceptable for short trips. The brake pedal offers a linear feel, with a moderate stopping distance, giving drivers confidence in daily use.

All in all, the core advantages of the 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT are its practicality, rich features, comprehensive safety systems, and competitive price of RM95,000 within its class. Compared to the Honda BR-V, the Veloz offers more comprehensive safety features, a longer wheelbase, and more practical third-row space. Compared to the Perodua Alza, the Veloz provides a higher brand premium and better craftsmanship, making it well-suited for families seeking reliability and comfort. Its target demographic is quite clear: families of three or those with elderly members and children. It can meet needs for daily commutes and weekend outings. For budget-conscious consumers seeking a 7-seater with ample features, it’s also a good choice.

In conclusion, the 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT is a well-rounded family MPV that offers space, features, and safety without significant shortcomings. Toyota's renowned reliability is an added bonus. If you're in need of a vehicle that can accommodate the whole family, comes with adequate features, and offers peace of mind while driving, it's definitely worth considering.