SPEC SHOWDOWN: Toyota Vios XP150 facelift vs. all-new Toyota Vios AC100

The latest-generation Toyota Vios AC100 has been on sale in ASEAN markets since its launch on August 2022.

Riding on the all-new Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform, the new Vios has been described as a “quantum leap” over the previous model, according to our friends from sister publication WapCar.

However, the older XP150 Vios remains on sale in markets like the Philippines and Vietnam, with the latter getting a facelifted version on May 2023.

Given that the Philippines produces the XP150 Vios locally under the recently extended Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program, there is a possibility that the older model would still be sold here for a few more years.

Would we be missing out big-time if we don’t get the latest AC100 Vios? It’s a Vios faceoff in this Spec Showdown.

Newer Vios looks crisper

For this comparison, we’ll take a look at the top-spec, Vietnamese-market XP150 Vios G and the top-spec, Malaysian-market AC100 Vios 1.5 G.

Dimensionally, the new Vios is only marginally wider and taller than the old one, but has a considerably longer wheelbase. This helps with interior space.

Compared to the Vios sold in the Philippines, the facelifted XP150 gets its face from its hatchback sibling, the Toyota Yaris. The rest of the car carries over the lines of the pre-facelift model.

Meanwhile, the AC100 Vios gets a completely new body, with sharper headlights that are reminiscent of the Toyota Corolla Altis. The new model’s side profile and rear end are also more crisp, especially with the fastback roofline.

For looks, I’d go with the newer Vios.

New Vios has nicer cabin

Spec for spec, the old and new Vios have identical features, including trunk capacity.

Owners of the XP150 Vios will find that the Vietnamese model has a largely similar cabin. The only notable alteration is the placement of the touchscreen infotainment system, which protrudes out of the center console, unlike in the Philippine model.

Meanwhile, the AC100 Vios gets a wholly revamped cabin. Fancier variants get diamond-pattern leather upholstery, a more linear dash layout (again, similar to the Corolla Altis), a fully digital gauge cluster, and even LED accent lighting.

Again, I’d give the win to the more modern-looking AC100 Vios.

New Vios, better CVT

Both the XP150 and AC100 Vios use identical Toyota 2NR engines that are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The older Vios may have a touch more power and torque, but the new model is 110 kg lighter. The AC100 also features a Daihatsu-developed Dual-Mode Continuously Variable Transmission (D-CVT). 

Unlike the conventional CVT in the older Vios, the D-CVT doesn’t rely on a belt drive system to get the car going, instead using split gears into the mix to further improve efficiency. 

There are additional gears and a planetary gear set fitted to the input and output shafts of the pulleys, with a clutch pack to engage or disengage the latter.

Simply put, the transmission works like a traditional CVT at lower to medium speeds, and only when you enter higher speeds, such as when on the highway, does the gear drive kick in.

The logic here is that the CVT side of the transmission deals with acceleration while the gear drive side deals with highway speeds and cruising for maximum efficiency and less energy loss.

As such, the new Vios once again takes the trump here.

Toyota Safety Sense

Among the all-new AC100 Vios' headline features is the standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) active-safety suite.

Meanwhile, the facelifted XP150 Vios also has TSS, but only for the top-spec G variant. The Philippine market Vios only gets hill-start assist. 

Given that all cars should have the best safety and convenience features, I’m happy to call a tie between the older and newer Vios.

More agile package

To answer my question earlier – yes, we will miss out quite a lot if we just get a facelifted version of the current XP150 Vios.

The older model remains to be a reliable, practical, and easy-to-drive subcompact sedan. But given that its design dates back to 2013, it really is getting long in the tooth, especially against younger rivals.

Meanwhile, despite its crash-test controversies, the completely new AC100 Vios offers a more compelling vehicle that’s nicer to drive than before.

Perhaps Toyota Motor Philippines can produce the new Vios under the CARS Program.

Which do you prefer?

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