The Veloz branching out as a standalone nameplate — and as a crossover — raised many eyebrows. How can the top-of-the-line variant of an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) become its own model and jump to a higher segment? Well, that is what I wanted to find out.
Bigger does not always mean better, and while it has length and breadth over its Avanza cousin — but only by millimeters — it is still as boxy as an MPV and shares many exterior features like the angular nose, split-type headlights, fog lamps, the LED taillights, and roof rails. Toyota makes it stand out with chrome pieces on the façade, a more intricate grille mesh, wraparound body cladding, a front bumper finisher, a light bar on the tailgate, and a rear underbody garnish. I will give the designers an A for effort, but despite the additions and enhancements, it still looks like a limited or special edition Avanza. But that does not really make it a bad thing.
The size gives you the confidence to haul cargo or move people comfortably. There is no need to second-guess whether seven passengers, a mountain bike, or a desk will fit because it has 50:50 tumble-down rear seats and a 60:40 tumble second row to accommodate cargo of different shapes and sizes. It even has a long sofa configuration when you need to nap in the vehicle.
Toyota gives the Veloz plenty of creature comforts to justify its crossover status, including a smart key (tap the stripes on the handle to lock and unlock the doors) found on high-end models like the RAV4. The cabin has a similar layout and orientation as the Avanza but distinguishes itself with features like leather touch points, piano-black surfaces, silver accents, and a two-tone design. At P1.250 million, I was expecting leather seats, but it only has fabric with leather and suede inserts.
The cockpit has a seven-inch instrument cluster and a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth audio streaming, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. I was impressed with the audio coming from a basic six-speaker setup. I have never heard the Veloz sound this good. The fonts and widgets are large, which is great for young buyers who fancy digital screens, but the two front USB ports are on the other side of the center console. It is because the Veloz comes from Thailand — a right-hand-drive market. Two more USB ports are in the second row, including overhead vents for second and third-row passengers.
My one gripe is the location of the cupholders in front: two are in front of the side vents, while the third is at the back of the center console. What if the front passengers have two hot coffees? Unless you hold it, one of you will have to settle for a cold brew at the end of the drive.
The Veloz uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with dual variable valve timing. It is not turbocharged and makes only 106-PS and 138-Nm of torque. Power goes to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. The response is immediate at low speed: you can even call it punchy. Overtaking in the city is easy, but at speeds above 40-km/h, you will hear the engine rev higher and feel a bit of a delay before the pull kicks in for a passing maneuver. Using normal driving parameters and in mixed conditions (city and highway), it did 12.4-km/l.
Despite the upgrade to a full monocoque chassis, the drive still feels raw and is not as smooth as other crossovers. Comfort is far better after it ditched the IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) platform shared with the Hilux, Fortuner, and Innova. It just needs additional noise dampening to reduce the harshness from the road creeping in through 50-series tires and the 17-inch wheels.
Safety features include Toyota Safety Sense with Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, and Lane Departure Alert. It also has a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but I wish it had cruise control.
The 2023 Veloz 1.5 V CVT may not deliver a RAV4 or even a Yaris Cross experience. Nevertheless, it is an efficient seven-seater with the cargo capacity of an MPV and the modern trappings of a crossover.