Toyota Voxy Hybrid 1.8 (A) Review

When it comes to minivans, 7-seaters and hybrids, one might think that there are three different types of people that buy these different cars. Well Toyota has decided that even if there were three different types of buyers for those cars, only one car is required to fit in all three segments and appeal to them all.
Enter the Voxy, a do it all MPV, minivan, 7-seater and yes; hybrid car. If a product is so many things, it must be pretty darn jam packed with goodies. And it is, once you climb aboard and begin to discover what Toyota is giving you for less than $150,000 in today’s uber expensive Singapore car market.

The Voxy is a large car; that’s immediately apparent. It looks similar to a small school bus, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as the whole selling point of the car is largely the space it has inside.
Big is the name of the game for front fascia styling, and Toyota has chosen to go with mostly horizontal lines to accentuate the car’s width and broad stance. It’s bold, but still retains a sense of understatedness that won’t draw crowds of attention but remains something that is pleasing to look at everyday. It says functional and practical, but not in a traditionally boring sense.
Multi-spoke alloy wheels and sculpted wing mirrors also create some atmosphere of sophistication, while the “Hybrid” badges tell the world subtly that it’s also concerned for the environment.

The car’s box-like design means that it has plenty of space of extra seats. But it also means that the extra seats’ occupants have plenty of head room and leg room. No sloping roof line like on some SUVs and no low to the ground sporty design in part adds to this characteristic of the Voxy.
You also get lots of versatility with the space inside the car. The rear seats fold down; they even fold up, which gives you more luggage space than you might find on similar competitors’ cars. Seats also come with isofix points for child seats, which brings the Voxy on par with even other European vehicles.
The materials used inside the car are high quality as well. Our test car came with brown leather seats, which were plush, comfy and absolutely beautiful. The cabin is also spacious and roomy, and you won’t ever find yourself saying “I think I need more space” in this car.
Other great features include anti UV glass for all the windows and windshields, rear seat sunshades and automatic sliding doors, which are fantabulous if you hate having fingerprints on the doors.

In much the same way as all Toyota hybrid MPVs have been, the drive is refined, smooth and quiet. Its hybrid nature means very little engine noise if any, as the car mostly operates using its batteries whenever they are sufficiently powered. It doesn’t by any means feel like a go kart. It still drives much like a regular car, and has a fuel efficient CVT transmission that doesn’t intrude like a traditional slush box.
Steering is reasonably weighted, and the car comes with a host of safety features like ABS, stability control and traction control that will ensure you and your loved ones are safe when the conditions get poor. Hill start assist is also available, which means the nearly two tonne vehicle will move upslope without any rearward slip.
It’s an all-round practical people mover, and hauls your extended family and their luggage along is utmost comfort and silence, while you sit high with a commanding view of the road and watch as other road users quickly get out of the way of your large minivan. All is well at the back of the car and in front on the road.

Car review sponsored by: Autolink Holdings

Credits: Story and Photos by Alvan Sio