2023 Toyota Vios makes global reveal: Honey I shrunk the Corolla

After giving a glimpse several weeks ago, Toyota stages the global debut of Yaris Ativ in Thailand, its newest B-segment sedan. Ladies and gentlemen, this is also what we know as the all-new Toyota Vios. Yes, it looks like they used a shrink ray on the Corolla Altis.

While it may be called the 2023 Yaris Ativ over in The Land of Smiles, elsewhere in Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), we will know this as the 2023 Vios. Sporting a brand new look inside and out, the next-generation Vios looks sleeker and more upscale than the Vios we currently have. What's more, is that it's now underpinned by the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA).

First and foremost, let's talk about its exterior. Featuring a “Proudful” design, the Vios gets a more stylish fastback design that gives the four-door a more discerning look. It is then complemented by a redesigned face complete with sleeker headlights, an updated grille, a more massive lower air intake on the front bumper, and faux side intakes. If anything, it seems Toyota borrowed some inspiration from Corolla Altis and Camry for the all-new Vios.

As for the rear, Toyota gave the 2023 Vios a new set of LED taillights, broader shoulder lines, and a new trunk lid with a ducktail spoiler for added sportiness. Completing the exterior changes are the new diamond-cut alloy wheels, a new distinct beltline that runs the entire length of the vehicle, and a new quarter-glass window on the rear doors that highlight the sedan's new fastback look.

Hop inside the 2023 Vios and Toyota was also busy with the interior of the new Vios. On high-grade variants, it gets a new digital instrument cluster, a massive free-standing touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an automatic climate control panel, push-start button, a multi-function steering wheel with audio controls, piano gloss black panels, and faux metal finishes and trim pieces.

As seen from our previous teaser, the all-new Vios can come with a Burgundy leather interior.Other neat features present in the all-new Vios include; 64-color ambient LED lighting, a premium 6-speaker sound system, rear aircon vents, and rear USB charging ports.

In terms of size, the all-new Vios now measures 4425mm long, 1740mm wide, 1480mm tall, and has a 2620mm wheelbase. Compared to the current Vios we get, the all-new model is 17mm shorter in length, 10mm wider, and 5mm taller. Despite the shorter length, the new platform allowed Toyota to give the Vios a wheelbase that's 70mm longer than before.

In Thailand, the 2023 Vios is only available with one engine, a 1.2-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder with Dual VVT-i. It makes 94 PS along with 110 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to the front wheels via a CVT. For extra peace of mind while on the road, the 2023 Vios now comes with 4-wheel disc brakes across all variants in Thailand.

For the first time, the all-new Vios is now available with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS). This gives the all-new sedan intelligent safety systems such as; a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, front departure alert, pedal misoperation control, auto high-beam function, and rear-cross traffic alert.

With the all-new 2023 Toyota Vios launched in Thailand, it's only a matter of time before it makes its way to the Philippines. However, Toyota Motor Philippines might have to retool and refit the Sta. Rosa assembly line first in order to cater to the next-generation Vios. In addition, the PH-spec 2023 Vios could continue to come with either the 1.3- and 1.5-liter Dual VVT-i engines.

We can expect the all-new 2023 Toyota Vios to arrive in the Philippines sometime next year. Let's hope that it will be available with Toyota Safety Sense on certain variants.