Toyota Veloz 2023 Review

In Malaysia's B-Segment MPV market, the demands of family users are becoming increasingly clear - they want to accommodate 7 passengers without compromising on features and fuel efficiency. The 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT, as a popular contender in this segment, returns this time with a longer wheelbase, a more comprehensive TSS intelligent safety system, and upgraded smart features. The core purpose of our test drive is to see if it can strike the perfect balance between space, features, and fuel efficiency, and whether it truly deserves the title of "the first choice for family MPVs".

At first glance, the Veloz looks more robust than the previous generation. The front fascia features a large trapezoidal grille filled with black honeycomb elements, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides. The light clusters are connected to the upper edge of the grille by a chrome trim, enhancing the visual width. The side profile of the car features straight lines, and the waistline that extends from the front fender to the rear is not overly exaggerated, giving the side a more layered look. The 17-inch two-tone multi-spoke alloy wheels come as standard, with tire specifications of 205/50R17, ensuring both grip and comfort. The rear design is relatively simple; the LED taillights are arranged horizontally, connected in the middle by a slim chrome trim. A silver skid plate at the bottom adds a hint of crossover style. It is worth mentioning that its minimum ground clearance reaches 190mm, which is higher than most competitors in the same class. You can drive on rough roads occasionally without worrying too much about scraping the underbody.

Upon entering the cabin, the Veloz’s interior leans towards a practical design, but you can see the thoughtful touches in the details. The dashboard adopts a layered design, with the upper section wrapped in soft-touch materials for a pleasant tactile feel, while the lower section is made of hard plastic with a refined texture that does not look cheap. The 9-inch touchscreen serves as the visual centerpiece of the interior; it is positioned high enough so that you don’t have to look down too much while driving to view navigation. The screen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and operations after connecting your smartphone are smooth. It is equipped with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters, which deliver above-average sound quality for its class. The instrument cluster is fully digital, providing abundant information and allowing you to switch between different interfaces, including fuel consumption, range, and the status of safety systems. In terms of features, the Veloz is very well-equipped: keyless entry, push-button start, electronic parking brake, and automatic air conditioning all come as standard. The rear row even has independent air vents, ensuring third-row passengers won’t feel stuffy during summer.

Space is one of the Veloz’s core advantages. With dimensions of 4475mm×1750mm×1700mm and a wheelbase of 2750mm, this is among the top tier in the B-Segment MPV category. The front seats are manually adjustable, with the seat cushions offering sufficient length and good thigh support. The rear seats are split 60:40 and can slide forward and backward as well as fold flat. When the second-row legroom is maximized, there’s about two fists worth of space, and the third-row can accommodate two adults without feeling overly cramped – though it might feel a bit tight for extended periods, it’s perfectly fine for short trips. In terms of storage space, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, and there is a hidden storage compartment below the center console that’s convenient for phones or wallets. The back of the second-row seats features both small and large storage pockets, and there are even cup holders in the third row. Folding down the third-row seats significantly expands the boot space, allowing you to fit several suitcases or a baby stroller with ease.

Powertrain: The Veloz is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 106PS and a peak torque of 138N·m, paired with a 7-speed CVT transmission. The parameters may not sound powerful, but they are sufficient for daily driving. The power response is relatively brisk during start-up; pressing the accelerator gives you a sense of power output. Following traffic or starting in the city doesn’t feel sluggish; after accelerating to 60km/h, the power output remains steady. When overtaking, pressing the accelerator harder allows the transmission to simulate gear shifts, raising the RPM above 4000, letting the torque release and making overtaking easy. There are two driving modes: Normal and Eco. In Eco mode, the accelerator response is slightly slower, but fuel consumption is lower.

In terms of handling, the Veloz’s performance exceeded our expectations. The steering wheel is relatively light, making it easy for female drivers to handle. The steering precision is quite good; although it's an MPV, it doesn’t feel like handling a “big ship” during city lane changes or turns. The chassis features a front MacPherson strut and a torsion beam rear combination, with tuning oriented toward comfort but with ample resilience. When passing over speed bumps, the suspension filters out most of the bumps, avoiding harsh impacts. On rough roads, the car's body movement is well controlled, ensuring passengers don't feel uncomfortable. The cornering performance is also commendable; there is minimal body roll, and when cornering at higher speeds, the tire's grip is sufficient, and the vehicle's posture remains stable.

Fuel consumption is one of the primary concerns for family users. During this test drive, which mainly involved urban road conditions with occasional highway stretches, the average fuel consumption came to about 5.5L per 100km, which is not far from the official figure of 5.2L. If you mainly drive on highways, the fuel consumption could be even lower — estimated to be around 4.8L. As for braking, the brake pedal travel is moderate. The initial stage feels a bit soft, but upon deeper pressing, the braking force is released linearly. During emergency braking, the vehicle remains stable without veering, providing sufficient safety assurance.

Safety features are another highlight of the Veloz, as it comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense system, which includes ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, active braking, forward collision warning, and lane-change assist. During our highway test of the ACC, once the speed and following distance were set, the system could automatically follow the vehicle ahead, braking promptly when the front vehicle slowed down while accelerating smoothly. This significantly reduces fatigue during long drives. The 360-degree surround-view camera is also very practical, especially for parking in narrow spaces, as it provides a clear view of the surrounding obstacles, making it easy for novice drivers to park.

Regarding noise insulation, the Veloz’s performance is average. At low speeds in the city, road and wind noise are not very noticeable. At speeds above 80km/h, wind noise gradually increases but remains within an acceptable range. Engine noise can be heard in the cabin at high RPMs but is not overly loud. The seats are quite comfortable; the cushions in the front and second rows are relatively soft, with adequate lumbar support, ensuring comfort during extended periods of sitting.

Overall, the 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT has evident advantages: its 2750mm long wheelbase provides superior space, and the 7-seat configuration fully meets family needs; the comprehensive safety features, including the TSS system and six airbags, offer peace of mind; its excellent fuel efficiency means low running costs; and the features are highly practical, with a fully digital instrument panel, 9-inch central control screen, and rear air conditioning as standard. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Honda BR-V, the Veloz has a longer wheelbase, more spacious interior, more comprehensive safety features, and a similar price, offering better value for money.

It is very clear who this is suitable for: if your budget is around 100,000 MYR, and you need a 7-seater MPV, mainly for picking up and dropping off kids, family outings, and occasionally driving on highways, then the Veloz is definitely a great choice. It has no obvious shortcomings, balancing space, configuration, fuel consumption, and safety, making it a very well-rounded family car. If you are pursuing extreme power or luxury, it may not be the best option, but if you want a practical, worry-free, and safe 7-seater car, the Veloz is worth taking for a test drive.