We Filipinos are practical people. Well, most of us are at least living a practical way of life. We always consider the prices of commodities and the return on investment as we value our hard-earned money. When it comes to cars, there is a specific model that has stood out in the local market for a good number of years.

The Toyota Vios has been the undisputed market leader for two decades because it comes at a very affordable and reasonable price - as low as Php 681,000 for the 1.3-liter Base manual variant. They are widely used for taxi and Grab services here in the country because they are easy to acquire and relatively cheap to maintain. And the Vios GR-S model pictured here is no slouch either even with its Php 1,030,000 SRP.

What makes the Vios a good buy?

Toyota as a brand has been loved by Filipinos because the company offers quality-made vehicles at an affordable price. Its products have been tried and tested over the years and have delivered consistently on reliability. Even though the Vios is an entry-level sedan unlike its stablemates the Corolla and Camry, it still comes with a decent safety package with airbags present across the range. In fact, it is one of the most well-equipped entry-level sedans when it comes to safety. And when it comes to performance, while it is not necessarily the most dynamic, what I can say is, you do get what you pay for.

In terms of aesthetics, Toyota consistently updates the Vios, making the line look fresh each year. And in terms of comfort, it delivers. I had the impression that it might not be as cozy as other models in its class because of its price, but I was wrong. The seats are well padded, the ride is never harsh and overall, it is decent living space you wouldn't mind being stuck in when there's traffic . However, like all cars, the Vios needs to be well-maintained by the owner. This is especially true with the air-conditioning system as not keeping tabs on it can lead to serious cooling problems in the long run. And I've seen some Vios owners have that problem.

Nevertheless, Toyota is the most proactive car company I have ever known. It always keeps its A-game. And constant process improvements make assembling cars like the Vios more efficient the longer it goes. All these make the Toyota Vios a true value for money proposition in my book. 

Also read: Decency in Toyota Vios' Fuel Consumption