A question was posted on social media that recently asked about the generations of the Toyota Wigo.

Many answered correctly by stating that the famous hatchback only had two. At the same time, others answered that the Wigo already had three due to subtle model changes.

It got us thinking about what constitutes a different new vehicle generation and how it differs from a plain mid-cycle refresh or facelift.

What is vehicle generation?

Vehicle generation is when a car nameplate gets a new chassis and engine. A car's generation is based on its chassis code. 

In the case of the Wigo, its first generation is the B100 (2013 to 2023). It was the first iteration made available in the Philippines.

Toyota Motor Philippines would later give the vehicle three facelifts to keep it fresh and relevant in the market.

What is a facelift?

A facelift, or minor model change, is when an automaker gives a vehicle aesthetic and even spec updates but retains the same chassis and often the same engine.

Automakers often give their cars a new front fascia or change the bumpers' design, add a few new features, and call it all new.

This is where the confusion starts, as car buyers think they are getting an entirely new vehicle. To those not in the know, this will seem like a new generation when it isn't.

Remember that its chassis must change for a vehicle to get a new generation.

So how many generations does the Toyota Wigo have?

The Toyota Wigo only has one generation currently available in the Philippines. However, in other markets, the small Toyota hatchback is already in its second generation with the chassis code A350.

The A350 is an entirely new model from the ground up, as it gets a new chassis and a new transmission.

To answer the question, the Toyota Wigo has two generations - the B100 and the A350.

Do you know of other models that have claimed to be "all-new" but actually aren't?