Both cars are priced below P800,000 (the Suzuki APV at P 765,000 and the Toyota Avanza at P 773,000), so you really can’t expect either to be speced to the roof.  And they aren’t.  They are, fortunately enough, decently loaded for a balance between comfort and value.  All power amenities (except antenna), front fog lights and a CD/MP3 stereo system are standard on both.  Toyota loads in silver accents on the Avanza, while Suzuki goes wood with the APV.  Oddly enough though, both throw out convenience day/night rear view mirrors and put standard rear wipers instead.  Overall though, the Avanza’s much better value thanks to more comfort (dual air conditioning and rubberized pedals) and safety equipment (driver’s airbag).

With both the Suzuki and the Toyota looking every inch the people carrier, you have to expect that they’re going to handle like one.  In fact, to a degree, they both handle the same way.  Despite their tallboy proportions, both feel secure and planted enough to feel safe in.  Crosswinds and wind noise from the mirrors are obtrusive in both, especially during highway travel.  In terms of seat-of-the-pants experience though, the Avanza wins hands down thanks to its crisper steering, quicker reflexes and a much more sorted ride.  Even if the APV does have better biting brakes, the Avanza’s the easier one to drive fast out of the box.  Visibility is much better as well.

Both sport similarly sized engines, but the APV loses this battle to the Avanza lopsidedly.  In terms of both standstill and passing traffic acceleration, the Toyota’s 18 horsepower and 14 Newton-meter advantage make itself known from even a simple bleep of the throttle, making it a much better vehicle to take to Baguio brimming with family.  The Avanza shows much more urge throughout the engine’s power band, while the APV merely huffs its way to every shift point.  And speaking of shift point, Toyota’s reputation for making buttery-smooth automatics is kept intact with the Avanza’s unobtrusive shifts.  There’s much more hesitation from the APV perhaps because of its engine, but more importantly because of its poorly spaced automatic gearbox.

So who’s the winner here?  For all intents and purposes, it’s the Filipino family.  Never before has any car manufacturer grown big enough cajones to come up with a respectably noted, well-built people carrier with more standard features than letters in its name.  And now, we have two.  Anyone who’s considering either the Suzuki APV or Toyota Avanza is surely spending a considerably amount of their savings for what could be their first (and sometimes) only car.  And as such, both are good value products that cannot be passed over.  On the event of this match-up though, I would declare the Toyota Avanza as my personal pick on the grounds of a better driving experience, more engine power and a much more accessible dealer/service network.  But Toyota should never rest on its laurels here.  More than anything, the razor-thin margin by which I chose the Avanza should serve as a forewarning for Toyota.  There are some rivals out there who are not afraid to knock on your market’s door.  And the Suzuki APV almost got you dangerously evicted.

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