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AutoGen PLUS Extended Warranty Program Launched – From RM298

eAutoGen Capital has unveiled its latest product called the AutoGen PLUS extended warranty program.

In partnership with the Federation of Motor & Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia (FMCCAM), the AutoGen PLUS extended warranty program offers an extra cushion for aged and used cars when it comes to breakdowns and repairs pertaining to the engine and transmission.

Low coverage rates from RM298 per annum

The AutoGen PLUS extended warranty program starts at a very affordable rate of RM298 per annum for national and Japanese cars up to 10 years old or within the 200,000km range. For Chinese and Korean car brands, it’s RM528, followed by RM1,088 for Continentals, and RM1,688 for luxury Continentals.

Each successful payment covers a timeframe of 12 months or 30,000km from the activation date. These figures are indeed reasonable considering the fact that if something happens to your car’s engine or transmission, AutoGen PLUS will offer a yearly repair limit from RM7,500 to RM20,000.

Access to over 200 panel workshops nationwide

Both current and future car owners (especially those who are looking for one in the used car market) may opt for this extended coverage for better ease of mind if you ever find yourselves with a potentially huge repair bill for your vehicle’s engine and/or transmission.

Over 200 panel workshops are available under the AutoGen PLUS program which also offers periodic maintenance as well as repair works. To be eligible for this extended warranty program, the cars must undergo a short diagnostic test and inspection by appointed inspectors.

This is to help add more peace of mind for buyers and even used car dealers as it offers yet another level of protection from any unnecessary risks or pre-existing issues related to the vehicle in question.

FMCCAM to offer better transparency in the used car market

FMCCAM will also play a vital role in ensuring that the used car market within Malaysia is not only viable but also offer greater levels of confidence for interested buyers. With its extensive network of over 4,000 car dealers across the country, it will work closely with eAutoGen Capital to offer better and trusted deals when it comes to used cars.

More plans are in the pipeline as eAutoGen also inked a strategic collaboration agreement with a number of high-profile companies related to the aged and used car businesses here in Malaysia. These companies are none other than Berjaya Sompo Insurance, Maybank, PG Mall, Revenue Harvest, and, CARSOME.

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Litar Uji Sistem Keselamatan Kenderaan (MT3) Dibangunkan Di Sepang

MIROS Technology Test Track (MT3) bakal menjadi perintis kepada pelbagai ujian sistem keselamatan aktif dan pasif kenderaan di Malaysia serta rantau Asia Tenggara.

Litar sepanjang 1 kilometer bernilai RM10 juta akan dibangunkan di Sepang dan akan membuka peluang ke arah penghasilan kenderaan bertaraf lima bintang dan lebih selamat digunakan.

Ujian Keselamatan Di Litar MT3

Litar MT3 menawarkan ujian keselamatan kenderaan seperti:

Ujian berkaitan bantuan keselamatan terhadap kenderaan penumpang
Ujian bagi kenderaan komersial
Ujian motosikal
Ujian infrastruktur jalan seperti road furniture crash test

Menurut Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, pembinaan MT3 ini selari dengan pelantikan Institut Penyelidikan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia (MIROS) sebagai Pusat Keselamatan Jalan Raya ASEAN yang berperanan menyumbang dan mempromosi keselamatan jalan raya dalam kalangan negara ASEAN.

Beliau turut berharap agar MT3 dapat menarik pihak swasta dan agensi lain untuk bekerjasama dengan MIROS bagi memastikan kenderaan dihasilkan memenuhi spesifikasi ditetapkan.

“Melalui litar itu, agensi seperti Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) juga diharap dapat melaksanakan pengujian kepada kenderaan bagi proses kajian, penyelidikan dan penilaian,” katanya ketika berucap merasmikan majlis pecah tanah MT3

Dijangka Siap Hujung Tahun Ini

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah MIROS Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon berkata litar uji MT3 yang dibina di tapak 100 ekar itu dijangka siap hujung tahun ini.

Tambahnya, litar uji MT3 menawarkan perkhidmatan ujian perlanggaran untuk pembekal perabot jalan seperti penghadang jalan menguji tahap pematuhan produk mereka terhadap piawaian ditetapkan pihak berkuasa.

Buat masa sekarang, beliau berkata ujian perlanggaran ke atas perabot jalan hanya boleh dilakukan di negara lain yang melibatkan kos tinggi.

“Kemudahan ujian perlanggaran di MT3 ini dijangka dapat menarik lebih ramai pengeluar tempatan untuk menghasilkan produk lebih kos efektif dan secara tidak langsung membantu pertumbuhan industri pengeluaran tempatan untuk produk perabot jalan,” katanya.

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Auto news

TNB To Provide 1,000 EV Taxis – Prime Minister

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will provide 1,000 units of EV taxis in collaboration with Mysuri Biz Technologies Sdn Bhd.

This bit of news was informed by our very own Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, during the launch of the 5th International Sustainable Energy Summit 2022 followed by the announcement of EV infrastructure development within the fourth quarter of 2022.

Better charging infrastructure for safety

The guidelines for EV infrastructure development guidelines fall under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 (Act 447), and our PM has stated that this will be enforced in the last quarter of 2022. The reason for this is to ensure the safety of users whilst using the facilities.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri also mentioned that the involvement of GLCs will be pushed to greater heights as part of the country’s goal to elevate its overall EV industry. Which is why Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) together with Mysuri Biz Technologies Sdn Bhd will be providing 1,000 units of EV taxis.

31% renewable energy target by 2025

The summit which is a joint collaboration handled by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has a few key timelines to hit in relation to Malaysia’s renewable energy and energy efficiency agenda.

The goal aspired by our current Government is to hit 31% of the renewable energy target and electricity market by 2025 before moving on to 40% in 2035.

 

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Bengkel Kereta Halang Laluan Kaki Lima – Jadikan Tempat Letak Barang

Pemilik perniagaan dan penduduk setempat kecewa dengan tindakan bengkel kereta yang menghalang laluan kaki lima di kawasan komersial Taman Keramat Permai.

Bengkel kereta di kawasan terbabit dilaporkan menggunakan laluan kaki lima yang terlindung untuk melakukan pembaikan serta menempatkan barangan seperti tayar, alat ganti kereta dan tin minyak enjin di situ, berdasarkan laporan The Star.

Mengganggu Laluan Pejalan Kaki

Menurut mereka yang tinggal serta bekerja berdekatan kawasan berkenaan, halangan di laluan pejalan kaki itu mendatangkan gangguan. Selain menyusahkan pejalan kaki agar tidak terlanggar barang yang diletakkan di situ, barang-barang itu juga menyukarkan akses bagi orang kurang upaya.

Ramai pejalan kaki terpaksa berjalan di atas jalan kerana laluan kaki lima di kawasan bengkel itu sudah terhalang. Bukan itu sahaja, laluan kaki lima itu juga menjadi licin ekoran tumpahan minyak enjin. Pekedai di kawasan terbabit turut melaporkan limpahan air hujan telah membawa tumpahan minyak tersebut masuk ke dalam longkang berdekatan. Akibatnya, longkang telah tersumbat dan berbau busuk.

 “Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) perlu mengeluarkan kompaun kepada pengusaha premis yang ingkar dan merampas barangan mereka kerana menyebabkan halangan,” katanya.

Bengkel Bolot Kawasan Parkir

Selain itu, ada juga aduan dibuat tentang kekurangan tempat letak kereta di kawasan itu. Pekedai di kawasan itu berkata, banyak bengkel telah menyewa teluk di hadapan premis mereka daripada MPAJ.

“Majlis harus mengehadkan bilangan petak yang disewa untuk memastikan terdapat ruang parkir yang mencukupi untuk semua orang dan memastikan bahawa petak ini digunakan secara ketat untuk tempat letak kereta dan bukan untuk menjalankan kerja-kerja pembaikan,” katanya.

Hasil siasatan StarMetro, beberapa petak kawasan letak kereta di kawasan itu dicat merah, bermakna ia dikhaskan untuk premis tertentu.

Walau bagaimanapun, ada pemandu yang pernah diminta mengalihkan keretanya selepas meletak kenderaan di hadapan sebuah bengkel meskipun petak itu tidak ditanda merah. Menurut pemandu tersebut, petak itu diperlukan oleh orang ramai yang menunggu untuk melakukan servis kereta,” tambahnya.

Banyak Kereta Terbiar

Seorang pekedai lama yang hanya memberikan namanya sebagai Chong, berkata kawasan itu juga mempunyai banyak kereta terbiar kerana tidak dituntut pemilik kerana mereka tidak mampu menanggung kos pembaikan. Tegasnya, MPAJ harus menarik balik kereta ini, kerana mereka mengambil ruang dan juga boleh menghalang pembeli daripada datang ke kawasan itu.

Selain memberi kesan kepada perniagaan mereka dalam jangka masa panjang, isu kesesakan lalu lintas juga merupakan isu harian yang menyukarkan penghantaran barang ke kedai. Menurut peniaga di kawasan itu, pembekal perlu meletak kenderaan dan berjalan lebih jauh sambil membawa barang berat.

Perlu Mohon Permit Sementara Daripada DBKL

MPAJ, dalam satu kenyataan kepada StarMetro, berkata pengusaha premis boleh meletakkan barangan mereka di kaki lima, tetapi mesti memohon permit sementara. Presidennya Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim berkata barang-barang itu tidak boleh menyebabkan halangan, sambil turut menegaskan bahawa sebarang aktiviti pembaikan di kaki lima adalah dilarang.

“Kompaun akan dikeluarkan kepada pengusaha yang gagal mematuhi Akta Jalan, Parit dan Bangunan 1974 (Akta 133) untuk halangan. Lesen pengendali yang ingkar itu juga akan ditamatkan di bawah Undang-undang Kecil Perlesenan Perdagangan, Perniagaan dan Perindustrian (MPAJ) 2007,” katanya.

Menjawab kebimbangan mengenai ruang parkir yang terhad, Mohd Fauzi berkata tiada aktiviti perkhidmatan atau pembaikan dibenarkan di petak rizab itu. Beliau menegaskan bahawa petak berwarna merah khusus untuk tempat letak kereta pelanggan,” katanya sambil menambah hanya 25 daripada 638 ruang di kawasan itu telah disewakan.

*Kredit foto: The Star

 

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Parkir Merata Punca Jalan Di Bukit Jalil Sesak – Bahaya Kepada Pengguna Jalan

Kenderaan yang diletakkan secara haram dan merata-rata di sepanjang Persiaran Jalil Utama dan Jalan 13/155c di Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur menimbulkan bahaya keselamatan kepada pengguna jalan raya.

Kenderaan yang diletakkan secara sembarangan di kedua-dua belah jalan utama ini telah memakan ruang dan menyebabkan kesesakan kepada pengguna jalan raya, berdasarkan laporan The Star.

Parkir Merata Bahayakan Pemandu Lain

Menurut seorang penduduk Bandar Kinrara, Hiu Chee Keong, kereta tersebut menghalang lalu lintas dan meninggalkan ruang yang sempit kepada pemandu untuk bergerak ketika menuju ke jalan utama.

“Saya melalui jalan ini untuk membawa anak perempuan saya ke Pavilion Bukit Jalil dan sering menghadapi kesesakan lalu lintas akibat kenderaan yang diletakkan secara haram,” katanya.

Tambahnya, ada kereta yang diletakkan di kawasan simpang dan ia menghalang penglihatan pemandu apabila ingin membelok, sekali gus menyebabkan tempat itu berisiko untuk berlaku kemalangan.

“Pemandu yang ingin membelok terpaksa memasuki lorong paling kanan jalan kerana kenderaan biasanya diletakkan secara haram di lorong kiri,” kata lelaki itu.

Hiu juga berkata bahawa sesetengah pemandu akan membuat pusingan ke jalan utama, memaksa kenderaan masuk untuk menekan brek secara tiba-tiba.

Lebih 100 Kereta Diletakkan Secara Haram

Berdasarkan pemerhatian Hiu, terdapat kira-kira 100 buah kereta yang diletakkan secara haram di kawasan tersebut. Kawasan itu telah diterjah oleh StarMetro dan didapati bahawa kenderaan telah diletakkan secara haram di sepanjang jalan 13/155c sehingga ke pintu masuk jejambat ke lebuh raya Bukit Jalil.

Pemandu tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memperlahankan kenderaan ketika melalui jalan tersebut kerana kenderaan yang diletakkan secara haram menghalang sebahagian jalan. Hiu berkata beliau telah membuat aduan berhubung isu ini melalui laman web “adukl” Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) pada 25 Julai lalu.

Menurut DBKL, pihaknya menerima banyak aduan mengenai parkir haram di kawasan itu dan penguatkuasaan telah dijalankan termasuk mengeluarkan kompaun kepada pesalah trafik. Namun sebagai penduduk yang sering menggunakan laluan itu, Hiu tidak melihat sebarang penambahbaikan terhadap isu parkir haram di kawasan itu.

Beliau berharap pihak DBKL boleh mengambil tindakan lebih tegas seperti menunda kenderaan ini yang boleh menyebabkan halangan kepada pemandu lain.

Perkara itu turut disokong oleh penduduk Pangsapuri Sri Rakyat Bukit Jalil, Mohd Shamsul Mohd Razlan yang mendapati masalah itu semakin meruncing dan hanya menunggu masa sebelum kemalangan berlaku.

“Kebanyakan pemilik kenderaan sama ada bekerja di kawasan komersial berhampiran atau hanya orang ramai yang mahu mengelak daripada membayar parkir,” katanya. Tambah beliau, kehadiran kereta tersebut hanya menunggu masa sebelum kemalangan berlaku.

Menurut The Star, DBKL mengakui perkara itu tetapi masih belum memberi maklum balas buat waktu ini.

*Kredit foto: The Star

 

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No More Pure ICE Cars From Haval After 2030

Great Wall Motor‘s Haval will no longer produce pure ICE or oil-fueled cars by 2030, and that’s a fact.

The SUV-dedicated brand under the Great Wall Motor umbrella has announced this ‘no oil-fuelled vehicles’ initiative during Haval’s new energy strategy launch conference last week.

80% new energy vehicle (NEV) sales by 2025

Haval also announced that by the year 2025, around 80% of the brand’s new auto sales will consist of new energy vehicles or NEVs. Five years down the road after that, it’ll be all NEVs. No more ICEs from Haval after that, ladies and gents.

While the timelines given by Haval seem to be a tight stretch to work in, the strategy to go full NEV is nothing new as other brands have made their marks like BYD, Volvo, and more. BYD, in particular, has already begun its future plans by stopping its ICE-powered vehicle production earlier this year.

Haval to set up a NEV-dedicated subsidiary

Following the launch of Haval’s new logo and concept, Haval has also announced that it will be setting up its own NEV-dedicated subsidiary to oversee the brand’s NEV business ventures as well as overall development.

A number of showrooms focusing on the brand’s NEV offerings will be popping up in vital markets at the end of 2022 to kickstart this new phase of Haval. They’ve already invested $1.459 billion (around RM6.5 billion) in R&D for NEVs last year, with a projected return value of $14.595 billion (around RM65.5 billion) by the time they roll into 2025.

That’s one heck of a projection, folks.

 

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Grab Shares Dropped 12%, RM2.45 Billion Loss Reported in Q2

Grab Holdings Ltd is in for a wild ride this year as the group reported a wider loss than what was estimated for the second quarter of 2022.

While they’re still struggling to gain some form of profit from its ride-hailing and delivery business modules, Grab’s net loss for Q2 2022 sits at US$547 million (RM2.45 billion). The figure is considerably higher than the expected US$335 million (RM1.5 billion) initially projected. Ouch.

Grab shares also tumbled 12% on NASDAQ

Grab’s company listing on America’s NASDAQ stock exchange tumbled a further 12%, which is now down to more than 55% in 2022 (so far). Bloomberg, however, did report that Grab’s revenue has risen to 79% or US$321 million (RM1.44 billion), which was higher than what was projected earlier at US$273 million (RM1.22 billion).

Despite the worsening state of inflation in the countries that Grab currently operates, demand from consumers and app users has been steady despite reports of price hikes for its food delivery and e-hailing services. There’s also the expansion towards groceries to combat the ride-hailing downturn, in which a significant investment was placed.

That venture, however, was cut short in countries like Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines in an attempt to cut costs and essentially streamline all of its delivery services. That made yet another impact on its overall net loss, plus the reports of investors pulling out from money-losing ventures since the lockdowns caused by the pandemic.

Less food deliveries + inflation = lower projected GMV

While the food delivery demand is expected to drop slightly going to the last month of Q3 due to price hikes and further inflation on overall goods, Grab has lowered its gross merchandise value (GMV) expansion to 21-25% as compared to the earlier projected 30-35%.

This was pointed out due to the fact that Grab only reported US$2.5 billion (RM11.2 billion) in GMV for its delivery arm falling short of its quarterly projection of US$2.65 billion (RM11.89 billion). It’s quite a hole to be in, but a number of vital strategies going into the final quarter of 2022 should make things more bearable for Singapore’s giant tech company.

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Army Vehicles Breaking Down All Over KL – What Is Going On?

A couple of Malaysian army vehicles have gone viral for breaking down around Kuala Lumpur and everyone has the same question in mind – what the heck is going on?

In preparations for the Merdeka Day parade which will take place at Dataran Merdeka this Wednesday, the Malaysian Armed Forces have been quite the busy bee with practices in preparation for the National Day parade comeback after a two-year absence.

*Image credit: KLCCC DBKL Twitter

First tank breakdown at Jalan Damansara

The first case was a PT-91M Pendekar MBT which broke down along the Jalan Damansara slip road near Carcosa heading towards KL Sentral. This particular incident happened last Friday (26 August 2022) just after 10.00 am due to an engine failure.

Since it was a working day, finding a broken down tank in the middle of the road resulted in quite an inconvenience for fellow motorists who were using that particular route to travel to work. Luckily, no injuries were reported, apart from the tank’s engine.

*Image credit: Twitter

Second low loader breakdown near the National Museum

A day after the first tank breakdown (27 August 2022), an army low loader or armoured ‘prime mover’ was spotted near the National Museum with engine difficulties of its own. The loader broke down while on its way back to the Sungai Besi camp.

Both breakdowns went viral on the web followed by some nasty comments regarding the poor maintenance of the armoured vehicles. And they might have a point here – unreliable equipment that is meant to be used for the country’s defense system shouldn’t be breaking down traveling for a Merdeka Day parade exercise. 

With that being said, it’s perhaps a good thing that this has surfaced now as we head closer to the Merdeka Day parade and not during an event where the tank and loader were meant to be used or deployed for proper defence work.

An official statement by the Malaysian Armed Forces public relations department will be released soon to explain these breakdowns.

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iCarData: The Best Time To Buy/Sell – Honda HR-V V i-VTEC (2017)

What may have started as a bit of a left-field alternative has become one of the most prolific and popular products in its segment: we’re talking about the Honda HR-V, which came into the world at a time when nearly every automotive manufacturer had a dog in the fight at both the global and local levels. With an entirely new HR-V recently being launched, it’s easy to understand that there may be less focus on the previous generation model – and yet this incredible product still brings significant value to potential owners.

2022 has also seen the launch of the all-new Honda HR-V in and once again it is an impressive package that comes in three powertrains only for the Malaysian market: NA, Turbo and Hybrid. Prices start from RM114,800 upwards. The only drawback here is that depending on colour and variant, you could be looking at a one-year waiting period to receive your new HR-V. 

So is the second-gen Honda HR-V then still a compelling option for would be buyers? We explore it in detail below.  

Much like most of Honda’s local offerings, the HR-V was offered in a variety of grades when it was first introduced back in 2014. Over time those grades were added to and removed, eventually being streamlined to just three grades by the time 2017 rolled around: S, E, and V – with V being the range-topping variant. It also proved to be one of the more popular variants of the HR-V sold, coming with the most complete set of equipment.

The specific variant of the HR-V that we’re looking at today is the V spec model, which would have been purchased back in 2017 – which was also around the time that Honda introduced a price reduction on their models that brought the V spec variant down to RM 121,000 – just RM 1,200 short of the initial offering price. 

Here’s the breakdown:

Vehicle variant: Honda HR-V V i-VTEC 2017

The popularity of the Honda HR-V can be owed first to the strength of the Honda brand in our local market, and second to the incredible practicality of this compact crossover SUV. The HR-V is a showcase of just how good Honda is at developing packaging solutions and providing a well-designed cabin with plenty of storage areas, legroom, and boot space. The range-topping V variant has all of these great inherent characteristics, with the luxury and features you really need. 

Year

Car Age

(Years)

Avg Advertised 

Price (RM)

Retained Value

Percentage

Depreciation

Percentage 

Cumulative Depreciation 

Sum (RM)

2017

Launch 

Year

94,755.33
78%
22%
26,244.67

2018
1
93,294.61
77%
23%
27,705.39

2019
2
85,348.04
71%
29%
35,651.96

2020
3
78,106.04
65%
35%
42,893.96

2021
4
77,796.07
64%
36%
43,203.93

2022
5
77,786.84
64%
36%
43,213.16

While you can no longer purchase this generation of HR-V new, it does pay to take a bit of time in choosing which pre-owned unit to buy. We can study the depreciation of the HR-V through our collected data over the last five years. As is the case with all cars, the first year of depreciation is the hardest with a 22% drop in car value.

The graph below reflects this as you can see that there is a relatively large hit in the first year of ownership – roughly RM 26,000 or so – which is in line with the sale of most cars after or during the first year of ownership.

Depreciation seems to stall between the first year and second year of ownership with just a 0.9% difference between a one and two-year-old car. The third year sees a more significant drop, bringing the total amount of depreciation to just over RM 35,000. The fourth year sees a similar drop in value, with a total depreciation of just over 35% compared to the original value.

From there onwards, however, the residual value of the HR-V V i-VTEC remains unnaturally solid at just over RM 77,000. As is the case with many residual car values, 2022 is a bit of an unnatural data point as there are increasingly long waiting lists for new cars due to production and supply issues around the world.

If we use this data to make an informed purchase decision, it would be best to buy the newest HR-V V i-VTEC that you can get for RM 77,000 or so – which also means one that is three to four years old depending on when it was registered. This would give you an incredibly practical compact crossover SUV, at a price that seems to have bottomed out in terms of depreciation for the time being.

Remembering that the HR-V remains a popular vehicle to this day also means that you can be fairly assured that you will be able to find a buyer for your car if you choose to move on to another vehicle. The relative simplicity of the design, layout, and powertrain also helps to keep running costs relatively low: the previous gen HR-V did not come with a turbocharged powertrain locally, which means that even the V-spec variant packs a naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine.

Like most other crossover-type SUVs, the HR-V also remains resolutely front-wheel drive, which benefits both fuel efficiency and simplicity in design, in turn reducing the potential costs incurred by owners. The rear is a torsion-beam setup, similar to the Honda Jazz on which it is based, which also leads to lower running costs as there are fewer consumable items. 

As a total product, the HR-V is a car that fulfills the needs of a budding or established family with as much room as you would reasonably need, with the ever-appealing SUV ride height and visibility that has made SUVs so popular over the last decade or so.

For some great deals on the Honda HR-V, click here.

If you’re looking to sell your car, we have a solution for you too. Trade in your car with carsome.my and get up to an RM1,500 discount voucher for your next upgrade

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The 2023 Toyota Sienta Is Pretty Awesome (More So Than The Old One)

Remember the Sienta? Well Toyota is back with an all-new generation of it, and honestly this 7-seater SUV is something Malaysians should want to make its way here.

UMW Toyota enjoyed only moderate success when it did offer the previous 2nd-generation version of the Sienta from latter 2016, which is what prompted its local discontinuation from our market. With its innovative use of space and styling, and materials, it makes us rethink the MPV category all over again.

All-New 2023 Toyota Sienta – Coming to Malaysia? 

The all-new Sienta carries a footprint awfully similar to its predecessor with an overall length measuring 4,260mm, within which sits a 2,750mm wheelbase. From corner to corner, it’s 1,695mm wide and 1,715mm tall, adding 20mm to the older model’s already generous interior ceiling.

On the outside with its two-tone exterior trim and wheels, as well as lower perimeter ‘bumpers’, you might be forgiven for thinking this could be the latest quirky people mover to come out of the Citroen design studio rather than something of Japanese origin.

Just look up the most compact models from the French firm to see what I mean about the resemblance, particularly their Aircross models or the C4 Cactus.

Toyota isn’t going for the usual sleek, robotised look we might expect given their current lineup, but instead focused on giving the Sienta an ‘organic’ feel that’s cohesively expressed by design from both the outside and inside.

2023 Toyota Sienta specifications

Its contours are deliberate, not stylised, its glass house is huge for maximal passenger comfort and versatility while offering great all-around visibility – Toyota claims bicycles with 27-inch tyres can simply be rolled in. And then you step inside to find a cabin that’s beautiful because of its functionality.

The dashboard, for example, is tiered, but done so to allow ample storage, not to look good, and it’s now basically a parcel shelf just ahead of the passenger seat. Cupholders are wide, deep, and positioned prominently, the seats are made from a fabric weave that’s treated with a hydro and oleo-phobic coating for the dirt repellency of leather/leatherette but with the comfort of fabric upholstery.

In fact, this trim material is pretty much scattered throughout and, combined with the warm and welcoming aesthetic, gives the Sienta the impression that MUJI and Toyota made a car. It’s a lounge on wheels.

It sits on the TNGA platform too, like every other car the Japanese auto giant makes except for their trucks and the LandCruiser, so it benefits from the other attributes known about this platform – namely its refinement and generally impressive drivability.

2023 Toyota Sienta powertrain

It’s not fast, though. Not by a long shot. At least at launch, Toyota has disclosed two powertrain options. First up is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 3-cylinder M15A-FKS petrol, essentially the same found powering the Euro-spec Yaris, that chugs out 120PS and 145Nm.

Those are respectable numbers given its displacement and this class of vehicle, but driving one might actually lower your blood pressure instead of possibly increasing it. Drive reaches the front wheels via Toyota’s Direct-Shift CVT gearbox (not to be mistaken for a D-CVT).

Toyota claims this powerplant will deliver an average WLTP fuel consumption of 18.4km/litre but those seeking more economy and smaller carbon footprint can opt for the Sienta hybrid which uses a 1.5-litre M15A-FXE Atkinson-cycle three-pot paired with an electric motor and gearbox combo (eCVT).

It’s packed with all the tech and active safety (Toyota Safety Sense) features that you expect any modern Japanese car to come equipped with, but other than ticking all the boxes from a specification point of view, the sheer uniqueness and utilitarian flair is really the Sienta’s main appeal.

Does it deserve to return to Malaysian shores as a worthy alternative to the current crop of compact but still highly commodious 7-seater MPVs that are currently on sale? We say yes, but only if UMW can offer the CKD value proposition. Make it happen, please!

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