Toyota Veloz Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia’s B-segment MPV market has become increasingly intense. Family users not only want a practical 7-seater space but also look forward to a balanced combination of smart features and safety performance. Many models are focusing on these aspects. Since its launch, the 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT has garnered considerable attention with its positioning as a "high-value-for-money 7-seater family car." This time, we conducted a special test drive to see if it truly meets the core needs of family users in terms of static experience, dynamic performance, and real-life usage scenarios.

At first glance, the 2023 Veloz appears more robust than its predecessor. The front features a large trapezoidal grille, paired with a blacked-out upper grille and chrome trims, giving it a distinct identity. The sharp design of the LED headlights on both sides integrates seamlessly with the grille, visually widening the front. The side profile of the car presents a simple design, with the 17-inch alloy wheels appearing moderate in styling, avoiding excessive flashy elements but conforming to the stable nature of a family car. The rear LED taillights also feature a blacked-out design, echoing the front. The silver skid plate below the rear bumper adds a bit of crossover style, but the overall design focuses more on practicality without deliberately pursuing a sporty look.

Opening the car door reveals an interior layout that is clear and intuitive. The dashboard adopts a layered design, with the upper part wrapped in soft-touch materials, providing a relatively delicate feel, while the lower part is made of hard plastic, matching the material standard of this price range. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system is positioned at the top of the center console, offering decent operational smoothness and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes phone connectivity very convenient for daily use. The instrument cluster has been upgraded to a full digital display, providing more comprehensive information compared to the 7-inch TFT of the 2022 model, with real-time data on fuel consumption, speed, and safety system status. In terms of features, the 2023 model retains keyless entry, one-touch start, and single-zone automatic air-conditioning, while the independent rear air conditioning unit ensures comfort for third-row passengers. The front seats are manually adjustable with sufficient support, allowing extended seating without significant fatigue. The second-row seats support a 60:40 split fold and forward-backward sliding, which allows creating a comfortable amount of legroom for third-row passengers. The third-row seats can be folded flat to expand the trunk space to 498 liters, which is ample for storing strollers or luggage.

The 2023 Veloz we test drove is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 106 PS and a peak torque of 138 N·m, paired with a CVT gearbox. The power output during start-up is smooth with no apparent jolts, making it suitable for city roads. Pressing the accelerator hard for rapid acceleration brings the RPM up to 4200 before the torque is unleashed, but the acceleration feels underpowered at higher speeds, requiring advanced planning for highway overtaking. It offers two driving modes: normal and eco, with the latter slowing the throttle response, making it apt for daily fuel-efficient commuting. As for the suspension, the front suspension is a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension has been changed from the MacPherson design of the 2022 model to a torsion beam. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the shock absorption performance is decent, filtering out most of the minor vibrations; however, there is a slight bounce for rear passengers when going over bumps. The steering wheel offers good accuracy with minimal play; it is light at low speeds and heavier at high speeds, making it easy to handle in everyday driving. The fuel consumption performance meets expectations, with a city road fuel consumption of approximately 6.2L per 100km and it can drop to about 5.0L per 100km on highways. With a fuel tank capacity of 43 liters, the range is around 700 kilometers or more, meeting the needs of long-distance family travel.

One of the highlights of the 2023 Toyota Veloz is its safety configuration. The entire lineup comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, and a 360-degree panoramic view. In actual use, ACC performs well in maintaining a stable following distance on highways, and the lane departure warning has moderate sensitivity, avoiding frequent false alarms. In terms of noise control, tire and engine noise are minimal during urban driving, while wind noise becomes more noticeable at high speeds but remains within an acceptable range.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT lies in its balance. Compared with vehicles of the same class, its safety features are more comprehensive, and the fully digital instrument cluster along with the 360-degree panoramic view are added benefits. Its 7-seater configuration provides flexible space that meets the needs of daily family use and short trips. However, its performance in terms of power is average, and the rear suspension has been changed to a torsion beam, which slightly compromises vibration absorption compared to the older model but has little overall impact.

This car is best suited for families that prioritize safety and practicality, especially those who frequently need to accommodate elderly members and children. Its safety features provide adequate protection, and the space meets the needs of multi-member outings. However, young users who value dynamic performance may find its acceleration not aggressive enough. For most typical family usage scenarios, though, the 2023 Veloz is more than sufficient.

In summary, the 2023 Toyota Veloz 1.5 AT is a well-rounded family MPV with "no obvious shortcomings." Its balanced performance and high cost-effectiveness make it highly competitive in the B-segment market.