The third-gen Toyota Avanza MPV has made its global debut in Indonesia ahead of going on sale in international markets. The third-gen MPV gets some big changes over its predecessor, including a new platform that sees the MPV transition from rear- to front-wheel drive. Also revealed alongside is its sportier sister model, the Toyota Veloz.

- New Avanza shares platform with the Toyota Raize
- Toyota Avanza’s sister model, the Veloz, gets sharper looks
- Powered by either a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engines

Toyota Avanza: engine and platform

Starting with the biggest change to the MPV, the third-gen Avanza now underpinned by the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) that also underpins the company’s Raize SUV. The DNGA is essentially a low cost version of Toyota’s TNGA architecture, versions of which underpin all new Toyotas globally.

The move to the DNGA architecture also comes with a change to the drivetrain. Unlike past generations which were rear-wheel drive, the new Avanza and Veloz are now front-wheel drive.

The MPV has also grown in size, being a notable 205mm longer and 70mm wider. The wheelbase, too, has been stretched by 95mm and the carmaker claims an SUV-like 205mm ground clearance.

Engine options though have not been updated from the older car with the familiar pair of 98hp, 1.3-litre and 106hp, 1.5-litre petrol engines being carried forward. Gearbox options include a 5-speed manual or a CVT (1.5 only).

Styling is a notable departure over the previous Avanza with sharper lines, more prominent creases and a redesigned glasshouse. Up front, the slim headlamps are connected via a thin chrome lined grille, while lower down sits a prominent air-dam flanked by angular cuts housing the fog lamps.

Along the sides, the prominent shoulder line, creases along the doors and flared wheel arches add character to the MPV. The glasshouse is also noticeably different with a rising window-line ending in a triangular rear quarter window.

Round the back, the tailgate now gets sharper lines and a prominent trapezoidal inset housing the number plate. The previous-gen MPV’s L-shaped tail-lights make way for sleeker horizontal ones, while the bumper too is new.

The interior too has been completely overhauled for the third-gen MPV with the layered dashboard featuring a contrast colored center section – brownish shade on the Avanza and white on the Veloz. While the basic design and 7-seat cabin layout is similar, the two MPVs get different center consoles and equipment.

The Avanza features a free standing 7.0-inch touchscreen atop the dash, conventional dials and digital air-con controls with the raised center console seemingly ending at the gear lever. The Veloz on the other hand features a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen, digital instrument panel and rotary-style AC controls. The raised center console seems to stretch all the way to the front center armrest with the conventional handbrake making way for an electronic unit and a wireless phone charger taking up the freed-up space. The Veloz also gets ambient lighting on the center console, door pads and a central fold-down rear-seat entertainment screen.

Both vehicles also get connected car tech and Toyota Safety Sense which includes lane departure assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure assist. Other safety kit onboard includes stability control, hill start assist, six airbags and a 360-degree camera on the Veloz.


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