Toyota Vios GT Street Review in Penang

I decided to write a car review for my owns Toyota Vios GT Street that I’ve been driving for more than 3 years.
The Toyota Vios GT Street that I am driving until today still retains its original performance capability. Let me summarize what I’ve done to my ride before we proceed for the overall car review:
  1. Installed GT Street Skirting and TRD Sportivo’s Spoiler (body kit – with video!)
  2. Changed from steel wheels to alloy wheels (Original TRD Sportivo Rims that is 10% lighter weight compared to normal rims with rigid, reinforced rims)
  3. Equipped with 4x Michelin XM2 Energy Saving Tyres
  4. Changed the Head Unit (HU) player to Pioneer Player, model# DEH-2350UB
  5. Installed Philips Active Subwoofer
  6. Sponsored by Raytech company to for the RayTech Ultra 70 and Raytech RX 6mil tint film
  7. Installed Fog Lamps equipped with HID 6000K (the China ballasts have spoiled multiple times, I do not recommend users to install  HID kits)
  8. Installed Day Light Running LED
  9. Tinted Headlamps & Tail lamp
  10. Installed Voltage Stabilizer (Pivot Raizin VS-1) and Grounding Cable (HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Points)
  11. Painted Brake Calipers and Drum Brakes 
Simply modification? Yea, as I only intend to enhance the outlook of the car. The objective I chose Toyota Vios because of the good reliability and the great fuel efficiency of the car. Thus, my modification would be a focus on the outlook of the car only.
Toyota Vios with GT Street Kit and DLR
Toyota Vios with GT Street Kit and DLR
Toyota Vios GT Street Front View during Night time
Toyota Vios GT Street Front View during Night time

Toyota Vios J seating is comfortable with 4 adults in one car but I find the rear seats will be rather cramped for 5 adults in the car when there are 3 adults are seating  at the back seats. The armrest with the gear knob is at a comfortable position which I love it so much. I am always put my left hand on the gear knob while resting my elbow on the armrest during my driving. Interior wise, Toyota Vios J comes with black fabric seats, a black dashboard, and black gear knob. Personally, I find the car interior kinda dull and boring. The interior is so simple and comes in black color only. Unlike the Toyota Vios G or TRD Sportivo which looks much better with dual tones and more attractive as well.

Carbon Fiber Vinyl Passenger view in Toyota Vios 1
Carbon Fiber Vinyl Passenger views in Toyota Vios 1

The panel meter comes with pleasant blue back light with digital information of the fuel bar and trips’ distance.

Toyota Vios ODOMETER
Toyota Vios ODOMETER
The quality of the car’s sound system is ‘so-so’ for me. The clarity of the sound becomes so much better after I’ve changed the Toyota player to the Pioneer Player:
Philips Car Active Subwoofer
Philips Car Active Subwoofer
Philips Active Subwoofer is under the driver seat of Toyota Vios
Philips Active Subwoofer is under the driver seat of Toyota Vios GT Street
Since I am a bass freak, I’ve installed the Philips Active Subwoofer under my driver seat to further enhance the bass and sound system of the car.
Toyota Vios GT Street Rear View at petrol station
Toyota Vios GT Street Rear View at petrol station
Toyota Vios J Back Seats
Toyota Vios J Back Seats
Toyota Vios steering gives better ‘real’ feeling if compared to the Honda City and Kia Forte 1.6SX to the driver. The car’s steering is light when the car is standstill and gradually increases its stiffness when cruising the car on the highway at faster speed. The car steering does not disconnect the feeling of control from the driver to the vehicle.
Side view of Toyota Vios painted brake calipers
Side view of Toyota Vios painted brake calipers
 The side mirrors of the car are much bigger compared to its rival, give me a great confidence when overtaking or changing lanes during driving.
All Toyota Vios variants are powered with 109 PS from VVT-I engine and Automatic Super Electronic Control Transmission (ECT) that is powerful for the car to drive around. I’ve traveled by this car for more than 83,000KM (1st Nov 2015), and I am very satisfied with the car’s performance and its great fuel efficiency.
Car Voltage Stabilizer (PIVOT RAIZIN VS-1) and Grounding Cable (HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point) in Toyota Vios
Car Voltage Stabilizer (PIVOT RAIZIN VS-1) and Grounding Cable (HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point) in Toyota Vios
Grounding Cable HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point at VVT-i Toyota Vios engine bay 2
Grounding Cable HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point at VVT-i Toyota Vios engine bay 2
Grounding Cable HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point at VVT-i engine block cylinder
Grounding Cable HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point at VVT-i engine block cylinder

Not to mention, the 1st gear of Toyota Vios gives me a very strong acceleration G-force and overtake on the road. In fact, there was one time, my uncle who drives Honda Accord 2006 all the time, was impressed when he drove my Toyota Vios and he was surprised by the acceleration/torque at the 1st gear. Moreover, the Super ECT transmission will keep the Toyota Vios engine to rev until 6.5K rpm if required before cut in by the ECU. Not all vehicles’ transmissions allow the engine to rev at high rpm, and certain cars’ transmission will shifting at much lower rpm. Now, let’s check out the acceleration and fuel consumption of the car: I’ve downloaded an Andriod Application to test out the acceleration of this powerful Toyota Vios:

Toyota Vios Performance Result 1
Toyota Vios Performance Result 1
Toyota Vios Performance Result 2
Toyota Vios Performance Result 2

I’ve tested this acceleration experiment on the straight road, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Penang in the midnight, to assure the safety of myself and everyone on the road. Fuel efficiency for this car is one of the best features that I can have it. Cruising on the highway with driving speed around 100~130km/h, I can easily achieve 16~17km/l of fuel efficiency and while on city driving, I am able to achieve 11~12km/l for most of the time. Here is another Andriod Apps which I use to track my Toyota Vios’s fuel consumption:

FuelLog for Toyota Vios
FuelLog for Toyota Vios
FuelLog for Toyota Vios 2
FuelLog for Toyota Vios 2

Toyota Vios J has its drawback, that is the bad handling of the car. Whenever I steer the vehicle at high speed, the vehicle will steer to the other side and the body roll is so much compared to Honda City and Kia Forte due to the stiffness of the suspensions from Toyota Vios are not tuned for such harsh driving. Toyota Vios is designed for the comfortable drive, thus Honda City and Kia Forte have the better handling.

Toyota Vios GT Street Rear View
Toyota Vios GT Street Rear View
Toyota Vios front wheels with TRD Sportivo Wheel
Toyota Vios front wheels with TRD Sportivo Wheel

Toyota Vios J 2010 comes with only one air-bag. Safety wise, we not too worried as recently Toyota has announced the Toyota Vios has scored the 4 stars for the crash test.

Tint Toyota Vios Tail Lamp 3
Tint Toyota Vios Tail Lamp 3
Toyota Vios Rear View on Night Time
Toyota Vios Rear-View on Night Time
smoked headlamp Toyota Vios
Tinted Headlamp Toyota Vios 3
Turtle Wax - Wax it Wet Completed on Toyota Vios
Turtle Wax – Wax it Wet Completed on Toyota Vios
Toyota Vios Tint Headlamp and Tail Lamp
Toyota Vios Tint Headlamp and Tail Lamp

Below is the maintenance chart for Toyota Vios:

Toyota Vios’s Maintenance
Overall, Toyota Vios GT Street has great performance yet with good fuel efficiency vehicle. Other than the dull interior and soft suspension which gives the car bad body-roll, the car gave me good driving experience. I’ve been driving this car for more than 3 years, none of the single parts of it has broken down except the China brand HID ballast installed on my fog lamp.
Back view Painted Brake Calipers Toyota Vios
Back view Painted Brake Calipers Toyota Vios

Dont’ forget to visit my ride for further details on what I’ve done on my Toyota Vios. I am proud to be a Toyota Vios owner =) If you think this Toyota Vios GT Street review is useful, please give us a ‘Like’ at bottom of the post 🙂

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50 thoughts on “Toyota Vios GT Street Review in Penang

  1. Hazlami Azrin says:

    Hi Kelvin,

    Im driving vios g limited, the mileage now is around 138,000.

    While im driving at 100km/h, my car feels like swinging to left and right.

    At certain sharp corner, i have to hit the brake hard because of the handling totally feel out of control during cornering. Workshop in kota bharu suggested to replace the front absorber, and steering rack.

    Is it really necessary? I have just changed rear absorber last 2 weeks

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Hazlami,
      Thanks for the comment to us.
      There might be few factors contributed to swinging to left and right to your car.
      I would suggest you to try to change a better handling tires first, before you are changing those expensive absorber or steering rack.
      I once use the DUNLOP tires, I was swinging to left and right too, and the issue gone once I get myself 4 pieces of Michelin XM2 tires.

  2. Hafiz says:

    Hi Kelvin.

    1)Do u have any idea why 2014 vios hv a worst fc (mine was 9.4km/l for mix city and highway use)and how to improve the fc.

    2)What is the use of ‘Car Voltage Stabilizer (PIVOT RAIZIN VS-1) and Grounding Cable (HKS Mega Thick 8GA 5-Point)’?

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Hafiz,
      thanks for drop by.
      1)I believe that is the normal FC for TOyota Vios.
      When I am 80% city drive, my mileage is somewhere between 10km/l as well.
      Nothing can really improve your FC except your own foot pedal. You need to control your foot when accelerating and decelerating, turn off the engine when waiting for someone, avoid jam if possible…

      2) The voltage stabilizer and grounding cables are supposed to smooth-en your car electrical system. But trust me, it don’t help much… you may install it for cosmetic purposes just like me… 😀

  3. colin says:

    Hi Kelvin,
    I own a VIos J, I noticed there is some noise “klak klak klak” from engine when I accelerate. I did send to service center complaint about the problem but the SC told me problem. Mind to give idea?

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Colin,
      It would be hard for me to judge where is the sound from your comment without hear the actual sound.
      The sound might be come from loose compartment under the engine hood, such as loose air filter box, loose engine cover, or from your alternator.
      Maybe you can try identify where the sound come from which part by open the engine hood, and occasionally rev the engine.

      There is a time where I help my friend fix his noisy engine compartment by removing the air filter cover, and I found there is foreign object in the filter box. I remove it and the sound gone.

      I hope I has helped you, Colin 🙂

      • colin says:

        Hi Kelvin,
        Thanks for your advise, is great to visit your site each time with new information.

        As for my car engine issue, I did search the web some did mention is engine knocking and recommend to pump Ron97. I try it and the sound did disappear. But I cannot afford to pump Ron97 each time. = )

        The sound came when you press the pedal during the RPM is low like turning corner.

        • Kelvin Ang says:

          Hi Colin,
          nice to see you here again and thanks for provide us your valuable input to resolve your knocking sound issue.

          I am not sure whether the RON 97 itself help to lower your ‘knocking’ sound in your Toyota Vios J engine or actually the antigen of the fuel itself, but our Toyota Vios manual book recommended us to use RON95 for our engine. And yea, it cost a lot to pump RON97 compared to RON95 petrol 🙁

          Perhaps, your engine valves and pistons might contaminated with carbons.

          I never pump RON97 into my car because since it way too expensive than RON 95, but I do notice my car engine is smoother every time I come back from long road journey. During the long road journey, we would be driving at high RPM for period of time, and this helps the clean up composition in the engine valves and pistons since the engine is revving high most of the time in the highway.

          What about you try out to pump the Caltex RON95 or BHP RON95, to take advantage of their clean antigen in the petrol? Maybe its help you out and this is far more cost effective way to putting RON97 into your car.

          Let me know the outcome, hope to hear from you again Colin 🙂

          Kelvin Ang

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Colin,
      thanks for drop by.
      Why you want to upgrade to Toyota Vios 2013?
      is there any problem with your current Vios?

      The new Vios 2013 is definitely better than than 2nd gen Vios in the acceleration and better interior and exterior outlook.

      Hope this helped you 🙂

  4. Mercunius says:

    Nice info bro, your blog is really helpful. Is there any tips for replacement of washer tank motor (WTM). Well, i found out that the price for WTM replacement in Toyota Center for VIOS was around RM400-500. But, I did ask some of my friend the cost for OEM WTM only(without labor cost) was below than RM150. Therefore, do share some of your experience or any information about it.

    Thanks and keep posting bro …

    • Kelvin Ang says:

      Hi Mercunius,
      I wished I can help you bro, but I never had my washer tank motor replaced before.
      Perhaps, you can share the experience to me when u get it fixed 🙂

  5. google plus android phone says:

    My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for.
    Do you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
    I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write in relation to here.
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  11. Kelvin says:

    Hello!!

    I’m a proud owner of a vios G limited. Great blog. I have a question for you. I see that you used to have HID fog lights. I’m using a 35W 8000k HID for fog light and I noticed that it’s very hot. Will it damage my fog light socket? Since I’ve seen cases whereby sockets are melted by HID.

    TQ..

    • Kelvin says:

      Hello Kelvin!
      surprisingly you have the same name as me 😀
      Yup, I used to have HID fog lights. Indeed it is very hot compared to our normal halogen especially when we touch the housing fog lights.

      So far, I never encountered any issue with melting of the socket except some bad wiring issue. The wire that they are using for my fog lamp is low quality caused some intermittent problem. At the end, I’ve replaced my own wires with better quality.

      Let me know if you have more queries. Do remember to like our page 🙂

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    • Kelvin says:

      Hi Selikatwo,
      there are only 2 things to consider when buying a car, your budget and your usage. Imaging next 5 years, how would you want to use your car? Are sure you u need such car? You going to use it for next 5-10 years. Once you have made decision for these 2 things, then find your brand of the car. Japanese car use to be good in reliability and build to last. Korean car are focus on outlook and latest technology. Local car, hmm so far I think Myvi and Preve are awesome 🙂

      After using for 2+ years, Vios does not give me any reliability issue yet. I am proud of driving it and have no regret on it. Cruising on highway and city drive doesn’t give me a problem and it save petrol too.

  29. AAA says:

    Grammar and Vocabulary error…

    “Vios has become” not “becomes”
    “direct competitor” not “competitive”

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