The controls are neatly housed on a Y-shaped stack on the the instrument panel, just below the center-mounted gauges. The backlit gauges are clear and viewable in bright sunlight, but we still prefer the traditional driver's-side location. Looking at the center position, especially as the gauges are not canted toward the driver, requires too much time looking away from the road. The Vios' hatchback counterpart, the Yaris, feels more modern and less basic, thanks to the color choices and styling of the side panels. 60/40 split-folding seats augment the trunk capacity when needed.

The combination of MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear continues. It delivers a soft, dampened ride. Our test unit was equipped with optional 17-inch tires. The chassis still maintained its composure even with the low-profile tires, and there was an extra measure of grip, too. The Vios 1.5 gets an upgrade to four-wheel disc brakes, equipped with ABS, EBD and brake assist.

The engines are carryovers unit from the previous model. In the case of the 1.5 liter, it's a dohc four-cylinder with variable valve timing, producing 107 hp and 142 Nm. Our test unit came with a five-speed manual shift. An automatic is also available as an option. The combination of a relatively big engine in a small car is not as exciting as we might have expected. Instead, the engine uses its torque to accomplish smooth takeoffs from standstill, and to deliver adequate overtaking acceleration when needed. It will not do a Road-Runner getaway like its diesel-powered rivals, but it is sufficient in most situations. The gearshift is one of the better examples of manual transmission, with closely-spaced gates and a smooth, precise shift action.

The second-generation Vios builds on the strength of the previous one: acceptable looks, presumably durable build and easy-on-the-pocket maintenance. The new one adds a more striking appearance and more interior kit. Though better in every aspect, the new Vios fails to offer anything extraordinary in its segment, perhaps apart from leather seats which are a very pricey option. It's interesting that Toyota has allowed the Vios to overlap the Corolla in price, so the choice for a buyer might be to go for the top model of the Vios, or the base version of the larger car.

On the positive side, for a car of the Vios' configuration and purpose, we are hard-pressed to think of a model which can top this one in terms of refinement and quietness. There are safety features like dual airbags, and some neat touches like time-delayed switches and steering-wheel audio controls, formerly found only on large luxury cars. It also marks a return of the assembly of this model to the Philippines. As the country's best-selling passenger car, it was a logical decision to build the Vios here, and that bodes well for Toyota and our local industry.

The interior is similar but not directly lifted from the Yaris. The center console features a Y-shaped interface. The vertical stack in the Yaris worked better.

Fancy Optitron gauges feature a trip computer nestled in the odometer. You can access it by pushing the button below the hazard switch.

If you want to get the split-fold mechanism, you have to order your Vios with leather seats.