Haha,

True .. if you really see no point.. but technically rear wheel drive is not efficient - what with transmission loss n extra weight..
Ever wonder why Alza sold well..

Lol. So many Avanza owners looking to switch/upgrade cars. I'm also owner but my car less older.
For mpv, not many choices left from your elimination list. You could up your budget and get Nissan Serena.

Test drive the sienta first and see if it's still in your strike-out list. I believe seat cushion can be made better (say install leather seats). Space wise still cramp for 7 ppl. Five people is just nice.

If I want 7 adults into my mpv, I'd go for Serena and biante.

Same for me, Serena is just too big for me as I only need 7 seats function occasionally so not that practical for me to drive out daily with the big butt..

I would guess this car should have better handling as compare to Avanza as lower floor to ground clearance, think around 170cm as compare to Avanza which is much higher.. beside rear wheel drive when driving in high speed, feel very unsafe as compare to front wheel drive I think even though rear wheel drive does have a bigger turning ratio.

They will only allow for test drive by 26 August onward. so hopefully can have a feel of how is the driving experience by then as if not good, still can cancel order   

Turning circle for RWD cars is usually smaller... easier to handle in towns. One of the reasons why the new Renault Twingo/Smart fortwo/forfour is RWD.

Also in terms of handling luxury and performance cars are usually RWD. Drove a BMW 1 series... very nice. Even better than VW Golf, Seat Leon and Ford Focus...

However the Avanza is more of a truck that isn't meant to handle well, just carry a lot of stuff. It's not meant to be comfortable or good handling.

That's the real issue most people still didn't get it why UMWT selling empty cars still sells well.

Thats NOT how forum works. DUH. Not sure why u join forum but expect +ve remarks on topics you favor.
btw,you are being defensive over "empty car" statements . Empty cars can mean LACKING SAFETY FEATURES  .

HK have sienta hybrid which is 7k different and received a lot good review .... wondering when they bring in and would it be 50k extra ?

I think the Indon version only differs from the Jap version in interior especially the gearlevel.  As Indon needs to accomodate a manual gearbox for the country, it Toyota ID moves the gearlevel to traditional position, as well as the handbrake (JP version comes with foot operated handbrake, much like Alza).  Other than that no big difference.  Indon version does have +- gear shift as compare to the JP version (none).

And the best looking bodykits are from Modellista  

Went test drive in Puchong dealer, not bad and not bumpy like my avanza the MID is interesting which also able to show the current speed that also show in the analog display next to it..
Anyway, handling is also good but feel break is tight and acceleration pedal also not the same as avanza as push a bit then seen like accelerate a lot..the AVN when in reverse will show line but bit funny when seeing the line like bending when car is sort of tilted.. maybe this is the same for all Toyota car with ANV+reverse camera

i'm interested too know how sofa like are the seats...

I'm surprise there is no manual version . Even Innova has manual version .  :confused:

If I recall, jdm version no rear aircon. Definitely a must to have rear air con for our hot weather.

I got the the test drive voucher also. $20 tng only. Going to msg SA for a test drive. I already plan to test drive this car.

Test drives start on August 26th onwards, so they say. As for the voucher, can get during the sienta roadshow (by van).

So, they will give voucher to all branches as well?

Toyota designers have gone mental.i thought vios dashboard was ugly and now this.they definitely don't follow the KISS principle (keep it simple stupid!)

Ok, noted. Hope I can test drive next weekend.

I noticed the seat height adjuster lever is plasticky and thin. Reminds me of the lever in Perodua cars.

Just curious, did you get the tng card then for the test drive?
Good review.

Loud rear aircon? I thought the fix it with new avanza model (I'm making assumption sienta also would be "fixed") already coz older models like mine had this really loud front air con noise when max. Will need to check this out during test drive.

Are you going to collect then?

Ok, keep us posted for more reviews. 

Getting the tng is an additional incentive. Sweet. Hehe.
Based on my earlier postings, grey color would be one of my choices. Good to hear that it suits the car.

Haiz, I really didn't plan to get the car now but it's so tempting now. Hope I stick with my plan.
Wow, looks like many have test drove the car.

May I know how soon you all will get the car?

Hmm, I didn't ask on the discounts. I guess will be more once the year end approaches.