The Avanza...

audible grunt from the engine.

Accelerating from first gear is snappy but it does stay a little longer there than I’d want to, unless I ease off the pedal to allow it to shift to second right at 2,000 RPM. Otherwise, the upshift happens at some 2,500 rpm, which isn’t really fuel efficient. Fuel economy is at a very acceptable nine kilometers per liter in pure city driving.

The four-speed AT really isn’t doing the small engine any favors as the engine will rev high on the highway to maintain high speeds. I do expect the next iteration of the Avanza to sport a more advanced transmission.

As a fairly tall and rather slim vehicle, rollover resistance is understandably low around corners compared to sedans. Suspension doesn’t do much to mask uneven road surfaces unless the vehicle is laden.

Its trim name comes from a Portugese word which translates in English to fast or quick and it is exactly that in the city. It’s punchy — which is all you need it to be in metro traffic — and small enough to fit into tight and narrow streets. A Filipino family of five can fit comfortably so long as no one is on plus-sized and it will save you some gas money with its fuel economy.

Price is a little tricky as it breaches the million-peso mark at P1.065 million. If you value efficiency over looks and features, the Toyota Avanza Veloz is for you.