Toyota Avanza 2019 Review

In Malaysia's B-Segment MPV market, 7-seater family cars have always been a necessity — they need to accommodate the whole family while also being economical for daily commuting. The 2019 Toyota Avanza 1.5E, as the mid-spec model of the series, targets budget-conscious families seeking practicality with its price under RM80,000, Toyota's reliable reputation, and flexible 7-seater layout. The core focus of this test drive is to see whether it can truly meet the everyday needs of families with many members in terms of space, power, and features.

In terms of appearance, the 2019 Avanza 1.5E retains the boxy design typical of traditional MPVs, with simple overall lines and no overly complex designs. The front features Toyota's signature trapezoidal grille, accented with chrome trims, flanked by a combination of halogen and LED headlights. While not fully LED, the lights are sufficiently distinguishable when illuminated. The waistline along the side extends from the front to the rear, with an inward contour on the lower part of the doors, adding some layering. The 15-inch tires are well-proportioned to the body, sufficient for daily use. At the rear, the taillights feature a vertical layout echoing the front design, while the black plastic cladding on the lower rear bumper enhances scratch resistance. The overall design is practical without flashy elements, aligning with the role of a family vehicle.

Sitting inside, the interior is predominantly dark-colored plastic, with a moderately standard material choice, but the seams are neatly finished, consistent with Toyota's usual level of workmanship. The dashboard layout is clear, featuring a radio and air conditioning control area at the top. The physical buttons are relatively large, making them easy to use even when driving, without easily pressing the wrong buttons by accident. A multifunctional steering wheel comes standard, with volume adjustment and call answering buttons on the left, while the right side is empty, meeting basic daily needs. The instrument cluster has a backlit mechanical gauge design that displays information such as RPM, speed, and fuel level, which is clear and easy to read. For seating, the front seats are manually adjustable, with firm cushioning but good support. The second row consists of 50:50 sliding and split-folding seats, with a sliding range of about 15cm, allowing more legroom for the third row if adjusted. The third row features 50:50 split-folding seats, suitable for children or smaller adults; it may feel cramped for long trips. In terms of storage space, the door panels have cup holders and storage compartments, there’s a small storage compartment below the center console, and the front central armrest box has limited space but can hold smaller items. The second-row seat sides also have cup holders to meet the needs of rear passengers. Notably, the car comes equipped with rear air conditioning vents and a 220V power outlet, which is convenient for families with children to charge digital devices or use small appliances.

In terms of power, the 2019 Avanza 1.5E is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, producing a maximum horsepower of 105PS and a maximum torque output at 4200rpm, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power response when starting is relatively smooth, and noticeable power output only comes after the RPMs rise to around 3000, making it suitable for steady driving. On city roads, the gearbox shifts smoothly, though gear changes are not very quick. When accelerating with a deep press of the throttle, the gearbox takes about 1-2 seconds to downshift. On highways, after reaching a speed of 100km/h, the remaining power for further acceleration is not substantial, and overtaking requires advance planning. There is only a standard driving mode with no options for sport or eco modes. Overall, the tuning is geared toward comfortable family use.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the steering wheel is relatively light, making daily parking or U-turns very easy. However, the directional accuracy is average, with a noticeable amount of play. The front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is non-independent (though the spec sheet does not mention it, it is actually a torsion beam). When encountering speed bumps or small bumps in the city, the absorption performance is decent, and the body does not exhibit obvious bouncing. However, on larger potholes, rear passengers will feel noticeable vibrations. During cornering, the body leans significantly, as it is an MPV model with a high center of gravity, making it unsuitable for aggressive driving. In terms of braking, the brake pedal travel is relatively long, and the initial braking force is a bit soft — you need to press a bit deeper to achieve the desired braking effect, which requires some adaptation during daily driving.

In terms of fuel consumption, we drove approximately 50 kilometers on city roads and highways respectively. In city conditions, the fuel consumption was about 8.5L/100km, while on the highway it was around 6.8L/100km, resulting in a combined fuel consumption of approximately 7.6L/100km. For a 1.5L engine and a 7-seater vehicle, this performance is average and meets the economic needs of a family car. As for noise control, engine noise is not significant at low speeds. However, when the vehicle speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise and tire noise gradually increase, especially tire noise, which can be heard inside the cabin, but it is still within an acceptable range. The seat comfort is quite decent, with sufficient support for the front and middle row seats, making long durations of sitting not too tiring. For the third-row seats, space is limited, so they are better suited for short-term use.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2019 Toyota Avanza 1.5E lie in its flexible space, Toyota's reliability, and relatively affordable price. Compared to competitors in the same segment, such as the Perodua Alza, the Avanza boasts a better brand reputation, and its rear-wheel drive layout provides better power distribution when fully loaded. However, the Alza might offer a higher configuration, such as a central control screen in some models. When compared to the Honda BR-V, the Avanza is cheaper and more fuel-efficient, though the BR-V performs slightly better in terms of power and handling.

This car is clearly suitable for specific groups: those with a budget of RM70,000–80,000, needing a 7-seater for family outings, and prioritizing vehicle reliability and fuel efficiency. If you're often taking the whole family on short trips or require a commute vehicle that also handles occasional family outings, the Avanza 1.5E can basically meet your needs. However, if you are looking for more advanced configurations or stronger power, you might consider the higher-spec Avanza 1.5S or 1.5S+, or other competitor models.

Overall, the 2019 Toyota Avanza 1.5E is a "good enough" family MPV without many highlights but also without obvious shortcomings, making it a suitable choice for pragmatic family users.