ROAD SENSE Comfortably close and personal with Toyota vehicles

There are people who love to drive and there are people who fall in love with the drive — wherever the road takes them — over and over again.

I’m both, but more on the “falling in love with the drive” part. In so many ways, my heart belongs to the car and the long road.

I got a strong dose of falling in love with the drive again last week when I was privileged to join the Toyota Vios Ride and Drive event. I’ve been on that route far too many times, but the road trip with Toyota wooed my heart and body to feel pleasantly relaxed and happy.

The people behind the drive event of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) again put together the right mix of magic ingredients for a perfect road trip — the company of good friends, comfortable car cabins, responsive engines, reliable braking and driving systems, bountiful food, and pleasant conversation.

And of course, there were the latest Toyota models that gave the rare opportunity to feel the drive with the Vios, Rush, Innova, Fortuner, and Rav4. On the side, we experienced the simple joy of being chauffeured to dinner in a Toyota Alphard or a Toyota Hiace LXV. How glorious is that to just step in and slide down in a luxury van to dinner of fine cuisine that pushed many watchful diners on “full meal” mode.

The all-new Toyota Vios was the “star of the show” — being the latest model launched by TMP only last July 20. The country’s best-selling passenger car exuded road presence with its bold exterior — starting with the LED Daytime Running Lights that comes with a pair of Fog Lamps.

An improved outer design complements this striking appeal with bigger 16-inch alloy wheels, rear combination lamps with LED line guides, and halogen projector headlamps. This dynamic silhouette running from bumper to trunk lid tapers smoothly into sleek redesigned spoilers and an aero-stabilizing shark fin antenna exclusive to the high-grade variants.

The Vios is now definitely “high-end” — coming with technology that used to be only exclusive to high-end models. There’s the Push Start and Smart Entry System, Eco and Sport power modes (which is a delight on the long road), and an Optitron meter gauge with the Multi-Information Display at the vehicle’s dashboard.

For entertainment, you can bring your music with you through Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

“Under the hood, the Dual VVT-i engine which established the Vios as the leader of the subcompact PC segment continues to drive the model forward with its signature fuel efficiency. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and the 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT) of the All-New Vios ensures smooth acceleration while maintaining precise control of speed and brakes. For the CVT variants, experience the freedom of choice through sequential shift and paddle shift for a sportier drive depending on the driver’s mood and preference,” TMP said.

For safety, the all-new Vios comes equipped with seven SRS airbags located around the car, an Anti-Lock Brake System, Vehicle Stability Control, and Hill Start Assist function.

If you need more convincing, consider the fact that the all-new Vios is also the only model in its segment whose variants are all certified by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) with a 5-star rating, the highest in its charts.

So how can anyone not fall in love with driving again? Or with the long road?