Toyota Vios

Toyota Vios: which version to buy and why

Buy a Toyota Vios by matching engine size, gearbox, and drive to how you actually drive — not by generation number. Across three generations (1 generation 2002-01-01 to 2007-01-31, 2 generation 2007-01-01 to 2013-01-31, 3 generation 2013-01-01 to 2016-03-31), every body is Sedan.

Buy a Toyota Vios by matching engine size, gearbox, and drive to how you actually drive — not by generation number. Across three generations (1 generation 2002-01-01 to 2007-01-31, 2 generation 2007-01-01 to 2013-01-31, 3 generation 2013-01-01 to 2016-03-31), every body is Sedan. The numerically strongest daily car in this catalogue is the 3 generation 1.5 AT (109 hp, 12 s 0–100, 171 km/h top speed). The lightest-per-horsepower car is the 1 generation 1.5 MT 110 hp (940 kg / 110 hp = 8.5 kg/hp). The only AWD cars are two 2 generation 1.3 versions. The 1.0 cars are the only ones specified for 92 fuel. Fuel consumption (city, highway, mixed), CO2, eco class, and wheel sizes are not measured on every version in this dataset.

Specs comparison: engines, horsepower, gearbox, drive

All engines here are Gasoline, boost No, 4 valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point). Cylinder layout is Inline on every version that lists it.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 1 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 110 hp = 110 / 1.496 ≈ 73.5 hp/L (highest). 3 generation and 2 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 109 hp = 109 / 1.495 ≈ 72.9 hp/L. 2 generation 1.0 MT/1.0 AT = 71 / 0.996 ≈ 71.3 hp/L. All 1.3 versions = 87 / 1.296 ≈ 67.1 hp/L. 1 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 92 hp = 92 / 1.498 ≈ 61.4 hp/L (lowest). The 92 hp 1.5 is 18 hp below the 110 hp 1.5 in the same generation (−16%) despite 2 cc more (1498 vs 1496).

Which generation changed what

1 generation → 2 generation. The 1.3 engine stays 87 hp and 1296 cc, but torque rises from 116 Nm @ 4000 to 121 Nm @ 4200 (+5 Nm). Ground clearance rises from 143 mm to 150 mm (+7 mm). Tank falls from 45 L to 42 L (−3 L). Rear brakes on 2 generation 1.0 / 1.3 / 1.5 are Drum; 1 generation rear brakes are Disc. The 2 generation adds 1.0 MT and 1.0 AT (71 hp, 3 cylinders, 92 fuel) and the only AWD pair: 1.3 MT AWD and 1.3 AT AWD. 1 generation 1.5 splits into 110 hp (1496 cc, 140 Nm, compression 10.5, bore/stroke 75 × 84.7) and 92 hp (1498 cc, 124 Nm @ 3200). 2 generation 1.5 is a single 109 hp / 141 Nm / 1495 cc / compression 10 / 72 × 91.8 package.

2 generation → 3 generation. Version count drops from 8 to 2: only 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT, both 109 hp / 141 Nm / 1495 cc / FWD. Clearance falls 5 mm (150 → 145). Rear suspension English label changes from Semi-independent, torsion to Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Rear brakes change from Drum to Disc. Front remains Ventilated disc. Engine position on these 1.5 cars is Central (same as 2 generation 1.5). 1.0 and 1.3 disappear from 3 generation.

Performance and mpg: what is measured

0–100 is measured on one car only: 3 generation 1.5 AT — 12 s. Top speed is measured on three: 3 generation 1.5 AT 171 km/h; 1 generation 1.3 MT 170 km/h; 1 generation 1.5 MT 92 hp 160 km/h. That 92 hp manual is 10 km/h slower than the 87 hp 1.3 manual in the same generation (160 vs 170). City, highway, and mixed consumption are not measured on any version. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured.

Choosing on acceleration data therefore means choosing 3 generation 1.5 AT if you need a published 0–100 figure, or accepting “not measured” for every other Vios here.

Dimensions, weight, tank, kg per horsepower

Wheels are not measured on any version.

3 generation. 1.5 MT: kerb 1035 kg, gross not measured, tank 42 L, clearance 145 mm → 1035 / 109 ≈ 9.5 kg/hp. 1.5 AT: kerb 1075 kg (+40 kg vs the manual), gross not measured → 1075 / 109 ≈ 9.9 kg/hp. Automatic costs 40 kg for the same 109 hp.

2 generation. 1.0 MT: kerb 990 kg, gross 1265 kg, payload 1265 − 990 = 275 kg, 990 / 71 ≈ 13.9 kg/hp (heaviest per hp among measured 2 generation manuals). 1.0 AT: kerb not measured, gross 1265 kg. 1.3 MT FWD: kerb 1040 kg, gross 1315 kg, payload 275 kg, 1040 / 87 ≈ 12.0 kg/hp. 1.3 MT AWD: kerb 1120 kg (+80 kg vs FWD), gross 1395 kg (+80 kg), payload still 275 kg, 1120 / 87 ≈ 12.9 kg/hp. AWD does not add payload; it adds 80 kg at both kerb and gross. 1.3 AT FWD: kerb not measured, gross 1315 kg. 1.3 AT AWD: kerb not measured, gross 1395 kg. 1.5 MT: kerb 1040 kg, gross 1315 kg, 1040 / 109 ≈ 9.5 kg/hp — same kerb as 1.3 MT FWD with 22 more hp (109 − 87). 1.5 AT: kerb not measured, gross 1315 kg. Tank 42 L and clearance 150 mm on all eight.

1 generation. 1.3 MT: kerb 1360 kg, gross 1415 kg, payload 55 kg (1415 − 1360), 1360 / 87 ≈ 15.6 kg/hp — the worst kg/hp and the smallest payload among versions with both weights. 1.3 AT: kerb not measured, gross 1415 kg. 1.5 MT 110 hp: kerb 940 kg (lightest measured Vios), gross 1480 kg, payload 540 kg (largest), 940 / 110 ≈ 8.5 kg/hp (best). 1.5 AT 110 hp: kerb not measured, gross 1480 kg. 1.5 MT 92 hp: kerb 1030 kg, gross 1455 kg, payload 425 kg, 1030 / 92 ≈ 11.2 kg/hp. 1.5 AT 92 hp: kerb not measured, gross 1455 kg. Tank 45 L and clearance 143 mm on all six.

Engine position: Central on 3 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT and 2 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT. Front, transverse on 2 generation 1.3 (all four) and on 1 generation 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 110 hp and 1.5 MT/1.5 AT 92 hp. Not measured on 2 generation 1.0 MT/1.0 AT and 1 generation 1.3 MT/1.3 AT. Compression: 10 on later 1.5 (109 hp); 10.5 on 1 generation 110 hp 1.5; 11 on all 1.3; not measured on 1.0 and on 1 generation 92 hp 1.5. Bore × stroke: 72 × 91.8 on 109 hp 1.5; 72 × 79.6 on 1.3; 75 × 84.7 on 110 hp 1.5; not measured on 1.0 and 92 hp 1.5.

Which version to choose

If you want the only measured 0–100 and the highest measured top speed: 3 generation 1.5 AT — 109 hp, Automatic 4, FWD, 12 s, 171 km/h, kerb 1075 kg. Rear Disc vs 2 generation Drum. You give up 5 mm of clearance vs 2 generation 1.5 (145 vs 150) and pay 40 kg vs 3 generation 1.5 MT.

If you want the same 109 hp without the automatic’s 40 kg: 3 generation 1.5 MT — 1035 kg, Manual 5, 9.5 kg/hp. 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured. Same engine as 2 generation 1.5 MT (109 hp, 141 Nm, 1495 cc); 2 generation 1.5 MT is 5 kg heavier (1040 vs 1035) with 150 mm clearance and Drum rears.

If you want the lightest car per horsepower and the largest payload: 1 generation 1.5 MT 110 hp — 940 kg, 110 hp, 8.5 kg/hp, payload 540 kg, tank 45 L. That is 1 hp and 1 kW above later 1.5 cars, 1 cc more (1496 vs 1495), 1 Nm less (140 vs 141). 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured. Pair 1.5 AT 110 hp if you need Automatic 4; kerb not measured, gross 1480 kg.

If you need AWD: only 2 generation 1.3 MT AWD or 1.3 AT AWD. Same 87 hp / 121 Nm as the FWD 1.3 twins. 1.3 MT AWD adds 80 kg vs 1.3 MT FWD (1120 vs 1040). Gross 1395 vs 1315. Clearance stays 150 mm — AWD is not a lift. 0–100, top speed, and mpg not measured.

If you want 92 fuel and the smallest engine: 2 generation 1.0 MT (kerb 990 kg, 13.9 kg/hp) or 1.0 AT (kerb not measured). 71 hp and 94 Nm are 38 hp and 47 Nm below the 109 hp 1.5 (109 − 71; 141 − 94). Three cylinders vs four. 0–100 and top speed not measured.

If you want a 1.3 without AWD weight: 2 generation 1.3 MT FWD — 1040 kg, 87 hp, 12.0 kg/hp, 121 Nm. Same kerb as 2 generation 1.5 MT with 22 fewer hp. 1 generation 1.3 MT is the same 87 hp but 116 Nm, 1360 kg, 15.6 kg/hp, only 55 kg payload, 170 km/h top speed (the only 1.3 with a measured top speed). Do not pick 1 generation 1.3 MT if payload or kg/hp matters.

Avoid mixing up the two 1.5 names in 1 generation: 1.5 MT 110 hp is 18 hp, 16 Nm, and 10 km/h (where measured on the 92 hp manual’s 160 km/h) in a different place from 1.5 MT 92 hp. The 92 hp 1.5 is 61.4 hp/L versus 73.5 hp/L on the 110 hp 1.5. 1.5 AT 92 hp vs 1.5 AT 110 hp: same gearbox (Automatic 4) and FWD; distinguish them only by 92 vs 110 hp and 1498 vs 1496 cc.

Manual vs Automatic (same engine): every AT here is Automatic 4; every MT is Manual 5. The only measured AT weight penalty is 3 generation 1.5 AT vs 1.5 MT (+40 kg). All other AT kerb figures are not measured.

There is no price field in this dataset, so “what the extra money buys” is what the extra specification buys: 22 hp for 1.5 vs 1.3 at the same 1040 kg in 2 generation; 80 kg and AWD for 2 generation 1.3 AWD vs FWD; 40 kg and a published 12 s / 171 km/h for 3 generation 1.5 AT vs 1.5 MT; 3 L of tank and 7 mm of clearance when stepping from 2/3 generation (42 L, 145–150 mm) back to 1 generation (45 L, 143 mm); Disc rears on 1 generation and 3 generation versus Drum on 2 generation. Reliability and problems are not measured in these figures — the catalogue does not attach failure rates to any version.