Thailand to get 2022 Toyota Avanza before PH

We already know that the all-new Toyota Avanza is heading to the Philippines early this year.

Based on the automaker's calendar, Toyota plans to launch the next-generation MPV in March 2022. With that, we certainly cannot wait for its arrival in the country as it's now a unibody front-wheel-drive MPV. But before it makes its way to the Philippines, our friends over in The Land of Smiles will supposedly be the next ones to receive it next.

After making its world debut in Indonesia last November 2021, Thailand will be the second country in ASEAN to get the new MPV after Indonesia. According to our friends at headlightmag, Toyota Motor Thailand is set to launch the Avanza in February 2022. Not only that, but the new Veloz model will also be available in the country.

Official specs have yet to be revealed. But more than likely it will be similar to what Indonesia has. That means a choice between a 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter Dual VVT-i engines. The former makes 98 PS with 121 Nm of torque while the latter puts out 106 PS and 137 Nm of torque. Don't expect to find a four-speed automatic transmission as it has been replaced with a more efficient CVT. Meanwhile, the five-speed manual transmission has been carried over.

Size-wise, the 2022 Avanza is now larger compared to the outgoing model. Measuring 4395mm long, 1730mm wide, and 1700mm tall, it's longer by 205mm, wider by 70mm, and taller by 5mm. Even the wheelbase has been stretched from 2655mm to 2750mm.

As for its features, customers can expect it to come with an upgraded touchscreen infotainment system, a 4.2-inch multi-info display, new engine start/stop button, USB charging ports for the rear passengers, revised aircon/climate control panel, redesigned steering wheel, and a tilt/telescopic steering column. Last but not least is the Long Sofa Mode which will allow users to configure the interior of the MPV to a lounge-like setup.

Another important addition to the new Avanza is Toyota Safety Sense. Already available in other models like the Fortuner, Corolla Altis, Alphard, and Hiace Super Grandia, it gives the family MPV intelligent safety features such as pre-collision system, front departure alert, pedal misapplication control, lane departure alert, rear-crossing traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

With Thailand set to be the next market to get the new Toyota Avanza, we sure hope that the Avanza models we'll be getting in the Philippines will be as loaded and feature-packed. In the meantime, here's our spec check of the 2020 Avanza versus the upcoming 2022 model.