When the Toyota Echo hit the local market in 1998, it seemed to mark a new approach for the company. Designed for the European market, the Echo was funky, roomy while compact, and fun to drive. As it turns out, the Echo was more of a Marine force that was supposed to establish a beachhead for the established Army, the Vios sedan. The Vios was more of what we have come to expect from Toyota: a refined, well-built, and predictable sedan.

Exciting it wasn't, but it seemed to be just what the market needed for transportation. Over the next few years, its success was not surprising if not exactly assured either, especially as a number of innovative rivals cropped up. The Vios has proven so popular that the outgoing model was still selling strongly as the new one debuted.

The new Vios follows the Kaizen route, delivering incremental improvements in mechanical bits and driving refinement. Even if it doesn’t really break any new ground, the Vios will still prove popular thanks to consumer confidence in Toyota reliability and ease of ownership.

The second generation takes the next logical step in the development of the model. There are slight increases for all three dimensions, including a slight lengthening of the wheelbase. Interior room increases incrementally as a result.

Outside, the Vios follows the large-nosed look of the Camry, with the large bumper extending up into the grille area. It's a smoothened-out version of the previous car; it's an attempt to make the car look larger as well. The top 1.5 model has that de rigueur "luxury car" touch, the side-mirror mounted turn-signal light.

Inside, the familiar Vios styling theme of black plastic and fabric remains. A leather seating option is available at quite a bit of additional cost. There's a smattering of silver plastic on the instrument panel surrounding the audio and air con controls, and on the door pulls. There are plenty of storage spaces, including two glove boxes, and various compartments around the instrument panel and center console.

The Vios may have the platform of the previous model, but the shell is sleeker and much more modern. The styling is still a bit on the conservative side though.

Spiffy wheels do a lot to change the Vios's stance. On the test unit are Toyota 17-inch alloys with 205/45 rubber.