While the MPV is slowly but surely withering away in Europe, car brands, especially in Asia, are launching one after another new space giant. Today, Toyota and sister brand Daihatsu are each pulling the curtain on a completely new compact MPV. We are introduced to the Toyota Avanza and the Daihatsu Xenia.
Recently we wrote about an all-new MPV that Toyota is launching in South Africa, even if it was secretly a Suzuki Ertiga. The MPV that Toyota presents today was not originally born as a Toyota, but was developed within the company. Like its predecessor, the new Toyota Avanza is Toyota’s version of the Xenia developed and produced by sister brand Daihatsu. Of course, the Xenia is also presented in a completely new form (photos 6 to 14).
Toyota Avenza
Like the Xenia, the Toyota Avanza is a relatively compact seven-seater MPV that was mainly developed for the Indonesian market, although the car is also sold in various African countries in addition to various other countries in South-East Asia. The two MPVs are 4.4 meters long and have a wheelbase of 2.75 metres. They are located on Daihatsu’s brand new DNGA-B platform, the so-called Daihatsu New Global Architecture. That new platform, however, brings well-known 1.3 and 1.5 liter petrol engines to the car, which successively deliver 98 hp and 106 hp. For the first time in Avanza and Xenia history, the drive is via the front wheels. The Xenia and Avanza now differ much more from each other than their predecessors.
Daihatsu Xenia
The Daihatsu Xenia is one of the many MPV-types that the brand has on the menu in Indonesia. The spatial range kicks off with the Sigra, an MPV that Toyota sells as Calya. That car is considered an entry-level MPV on the Indonesian market for the brands. The more modern Avanza and Xenia are a step above that, followed by the more SUV-like Daihatsu Terios and Toyota Rush.
Toyota Veloz
The sales numbers show that the Xenia and Avanza are both good for both brands. Since the launch of the first generations in 2004 to 2020, the two MPVs have sold more than 1.7 million units in Indonesia alone. The Avanza is by far the most popular of the two with 1.3 million units, the Xenia remains at about 430,000 units in Indonesia. Incidentally, the Avanza is the only one of the MPV twins that is also exported. The Daihatsu Xenia has a starting price of about €11,700 in Indonesia. Toyota immediately gives the Avanza a brother: the Veloz. The Veloz is in fact nothing more than a richer decorated version of the Avanza with a modified design. Previously, the Veloz (photos 15, 16 and 17) was a trim level of the Avanza, but Toyota has decided to make it a standalone model with its own light units.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl