Avanza is body on frame design whereas Sienta is unibody. layman explanation is one is closer to van/pickup, another is same as sedan design.
these two offer very different in comfort and ride level. So buyer shd look more on this rather than boot space.

Also the Sienta will have more space with the 3rd row folded away.

When you buy a MPV space is a premium, not driving dynamics or body construction. When you fold away the 3rd row seat for luggage the Sienta becomes no better than a sedan car with carrying capacity for 5 people. The space behind the 3rd row seat for the Avanza looks small but really helps when you have 7 people going for overnight trips. I know because I own an Avanza and I've taken it for many such trips. So think carefully before you pay a higher price for gadgets and gizmos and some safety features but less functionality as an MPV.

That is what I think also, if dont want to use 3rd row seat, why bother to buy mpv. With this kind of price, got plenty of choice for sedan car.

Its probably never meant to directly go head to bead with the avanza.

The avanza is a basic model meant for third world markets like malaysia and indonesia. A basic people carrier that can comfortably carry 7.

The sienta on the other hand is a global model selling in Japan and now ASEAN region. Comes with all the bells and whistles we typically see in a higher end vehicle, but with lesser space than the van based avanza. I guess you win some, you lose some in this case

You're absolutely right, its imported from indonesia, and what they do here is to install alarm system, some car accessories and then it can be qualified as CKD cars and therefore have certain tax incentive.

it is that simple To gain CKD status?why dont all manufacturers bring in CBU then instead of investing heavily in plants here?

duty tax

looking at MPV >1500cc, do u mean Sienta enjoy zero import duty?

But need to pay excise tax 60%, + 6%.
So for 99k Mpv, if without tax shd be abt 59K.

Actually there is still some space behind the 3rd row seat which similar to one in Avanza. In fact, the Sienta length is longer as compare to Avanza by around 4.5cm
I did check the real unit at Mitsui Outlet early July and if you need lots of space behind without the needs of 3rd row seat, it is definitely bigger than Avanza. Both car are actually very similar in dimension with Sienta slightly better L/W/H: Sienta: 4235/1695/1695, Avanza: 4190/1660/1695. When you saw the real unit, I just feel the Sienta is lower as compare to my Avanza.. but cabin space is bigger as they lower down the clearance between car and ground so should be more stable as compare to Avanza beside FWD, longer wheelbase, heavier as compare to RWD in Avanza.

Missed one of the point is that, this car is using different engine as compare to one in Japan and FC and it use the current Avanza DVVT-i with CVT 7 speeds so most can only achieve 18km/L. Some Sienta user in SGP able to achieve 20-21KM/L with nominal at around 19+KM/L.

Anyway, seen like Indonesia also yet to have much of this car on the road so hopefully they could improve the FC in actual drive as the FC info I got is from internet review.

Booked the car already so hopefully no regret.

Dont think they will sell this car at this level as else it will kill off Proto Ertiga and Perodua Alza plus Nissan Livina.

Guess you cant compare sedan and MPV lah.. sedan space is limited and you will appreciate MPV especially when you went to Ikea for your house renovation stuff or having family gathering which you just need to go out with one car.. I choose Sienta because occasion use of the 7 seated features plus bigger cabin space when needed to bring something bigger or longer.. but most of the time will be driving a family of 4 so was thinking of Serena but just too big tummy to bring here and there daily which I feel too bulky..

For me, ideally, a family should have 1 big and 1 small car as most of us having extra family member at home when needed can just go out with one car instead of 2 as to save time, additional parking, fuel and better for the environment. When wanted to drive with less people, just drive the small car will do..

To me, I appreciate the extra seat and space especially when going back home town as need to bring lots of stuff and when reach hometown can just go out with 1 car for 2 families(4 adults plus maybe 4 kids).

People with new born baby will appreciate MPV more as when they wanted to balik kampung, need more space as like moving home something, i.e putting a baby playpen inside, clothing, pampers, etc etc

Price alr published long time ago. Just working its cost at indo plant.
Sienta is position higher than those u mentioned Proto Ertiga and Perodua Alza plus Nissan Livina.

Yes, cause they just cant sell Sienta at the Avanza car price level.. think this is the main reason or else they wont rather just kill off Avanza then or lower down Avanza price.. which is very unlikely as even the recent Raya promotion, Avanza only got 1.5K discount I think.

If you've seen what i seen you'd know that that's how things work around here, Mitsubishi Triton cars came here via PKFZ from Thailand, they stay there for some minor installation and Voila! its locally assembled. Price also competitive against genuinely locally assembled cars like Hilux.

it's on the road in singapore. saw it...similar size to perodua alza

Not everyone always travels with 7 people and luggage (and if you do, the Avanza is still a bit small for that). It's mostly a 5 seater that can also act as 7 seater if necessary. Won't suit every need, but some needs it will suit better than the Avanza.

Also the Sienta is much better than the Avanza if you have elderly passengers. Putting a wheel chair inside is easier, cause the boot lip is lower. Sliding doors mean a wide opening for the 2nd row, and you can stand there to assist the elderly person. With a regular door, there is no space for someone to stand there in order to assist. Entrance is also possible in a tighter spot, where you can't fully open the door. The lower floor means the elderly person doesn't have to climb into the car. Just let him sit on the seat, then the assisting person can lift his legs and rotate the person. Inside he is.

To me it is the better car. Plus it drives more like a car.




There is some space for luggage. The Avanza looks a bit bigger, but the difference isn't big. And once you travel with 6 passengers, you have a lot more boot space in the Sienta. You can completely fold away the Sienta seat, while the Avanza still has a huge seat taking away lots of space in the cabin.


Once you need to bring along bigger items, the Avanza has completely lost, and sedans can't compete either.

We have a Kangoo, and were able to transport 5 adults and a big massage chair (plus a bit of luggage) with it. But we had to remove the 3rd row seats for that. In the Sienta when folded away the 3rd row seats don't take up any space. It's brilliant.

So it does have some space behind the back seat after all. That wasn't obvious from the other photos. It's alright then.

But for the price why not Innova? It has even more space and a good 2.0L engine.

This post has been edited by Ginny88: Jul 27 2016, 06:06 PM

The Innova is a 3rd world van. This is a proper vehicle meant for people who care about safety and having a decent car... If you'd try selling the Innova in Japan, people will laugh at you. But they'll buy tons of Sientas.

There is a reason why cars meant for third world countries aren't sold in, say, Japan or Europe. Or even when they are, they are rejected by the public. The Mitsubishi Mirage does really terrible in Europe. So does the Ford EcoSport, even though it comes from a popular brand. And despite the EcoSport getting some improvements. The segment leading Renault Captur outsells the EcoSport 13 to 1. The runner up from Peugeot outsells it 11:1, and the third (an Opel) outsells it 10:1.

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Jul 27 2016, 06:16 PM

Pretty well said on what a typical sienta customer would be looking for. I cant remember but they seem to have another term besides mpv to describe the sienta, it describes how versatile the sienta can be either for people carrier or for cargo space.

A sedan will probably handle better than a minivan like sienta, but space and functionality, the sienta wins hands down especially for family with babies including myself.



The triton is considered a CBU or CKD? What kind of loophole allowed them to do tat and why wouldnt other makes adopt the same strategy?


The cheapest innova manual might fetch around 110 k i think, and alot more for the basic auto variant. With the much more advanced innova coming i doubt umw will maintain the price especially wit the sienta now at the sub 100k mark

This is the main difference when the 3rd row seat is folded, flat floor for luggage. Even Landcruiser isn't that elegant in terms of luggage space as the seats are still take up spaces.


If Sienta were out earlier I would have gotten it instead of Vios. Sienta is better as comfortable 5-seater with big luggage space than Vios, while the drive is about the same. Perhaps the interior is better in Sienta as well. Sliding door - I like.

This post has been edited by dstl1128: Jul 28 2016, 09:11 AM