Review: 2022 Toyota Veloz - An underrated gem

It is arguably the best seven-seater in the market under RM100,000

Here to succeed one of the most popular budget seven-seaters in Malaysia, the Toyota Avanza, the new Veloz was one of the most highly anticipated launches in 2022 as there is a very high demand for seven-seaters below RM100,000 in our country.

Essentially a twin of the new Perodua Alza with which it shares the same platform, engine, gearbox, and everything mechanical, the Veloz still has its own set of unique features and characteristics.

Priced at RM95,000 on the road without insurance, the Veloz here asks for about RM20,000 more than its twin which makes a lot of consumers wonder if it is worth the extra money it asks for.

So, in order to find out, we spent a couple of days with it last week and here’s how it went.

The Toyota Veloz is powered by a the same 2NR-VE 1.5L Dual VVT-i engine as its twin the Perodua Alza, and paired with the engine is a 7-speed CVT gearbox. Maximum output is rated at 106 PS, while peak torque stands at 138 Nm.

As smooth and zippy as it was in town, high speed cruising is not really the Veloz’ forte as we really had to work the engine hard when we tried to go past the speed limit, meaning that engine note is audible when you’re flooring it. However, it felt super comfortable and smooth while cruising between 90 km/h and 110 km/h.

While the fabric-leather combination seats provided very good level of comfort and support for all passengers, the dual tone interior colour theme, the ambient lighting, and all the soft-touch material in the Veloz’s cabin make it a very pleasant place to be in, especially during long journeys with the family.

We also like the fact that the Veloz comes with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, such as the lane departure warning, automatic high beam, and pre-collision system which always ensured the highest level of safety on the road.

For instance, the lane departure warning which rings in your ear the minute your wheel steps out of line, gives the driver a peace of mind when traveling with loved ones on the road.

You also get a panoramic view monitor which makes parking and manoeuvering much simpler and safer.

The MPV is also fitted with an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) which contributes to its effortless drive experience in everyday situations like waiting for the traffic light to turn green or navigating through stop-and-go traffic.

You also get a lot of space, even at the third row which is able to fit two big-sized adults. As for the second row, three adults can sit comfortably, and keeping all of the rear occupants cool were the roof-mounted air vents which are a big plus point.

As for the design, I personally love the way the front end looks. The massive honeycomb grille with a big Toyota badge in the middle, the sleek LED headlights as well as the 17-inch alloy wheels give the Veloz an upmarket look as well.

The 2022 Veloz’s two-tone exterior colour (silver/black roof and blue/black roof) is a highlight as well. Although it comes at a premium of RM 1,300, it makes the Veloz look much better than its twin and its rivals.

In all, the Toyota Veloz is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for an impressive seven-seater vehicle for your family. We feel that the RM95,000 price tag is certainly justified as you don’t only get a good looking MPV, but also one that is very practical and convenient, and super safe with the long list of driver assistance features.