Is newer better? All-new Toyota Agya vs. Old Toyota Wigo

The all-new 2023 Toyota Wigo has made its debut in the ASEAN, with Malaysia getting the Perodua Axia and Indonesia getting the Toyota Agya and the Daihatsu Ayla. While all three versions are the Wigo, with slightly altered specifications for their respective market, they each bring something unique to the table.

The arrival of these new models got us thinking, how does this compare to the Toyota Wigo we currently have in the Philippine market? Are they better because they are more modern, or does the current iteration still hold value against its newer siblings?

For this comparison, we will compare the oldToyota Wigo to its 2023 Toyota Agya counterpart from Indonesia, as they both share the Toyota badge and come with a similar lineup to what is present in the Philippines. Their specifications may be different, but they live under the Toyota nameplate.

Exterior

We begin with the exterior; both vehicles come with unique designs. Their lighting elements are roughly the same, with halogen headlights available for the lower models of the old and new Wigo. However, the higher variants of the Toyota hatchback get LED headlights and daytime running lights for its more recent version in their higher trim levels. 

The Toyota Agya is the bigger of the two hatchbacks.

The numbers don’t lie, and the Agya is now longer, wider, and taller than its Wigo rival. This dimension increase can be attributed to its new longer wheelbase DNGA-based platform which it shares with the Toyota Raize. It also means more cabin space can be had with the overall larger dimensions and increased wheelbase. 

There is also a choice between 14 to 15-inch wheels for the new Agya, while its current generation Wigo still retains its 14-inch wheels.

Interior and technology

The interiors of the two vehicles are vastly different from one another. The current Toyota Wigo has a simple dashboard design dominated by its analog gauge cluster and its sizeable 7-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a digital air conditioning system that helps keep the cabin cool. 

While simple, the cabin does show its age, especially with its design layout and choice of material.

The new Toyota Agya has a cabin more akin to that of its bigger brothers, the Toyota Vios and the newer Toyota Yaris, and of course the recently launched Perodua Axia. Its dashboard is more angular with a dual-layer design. It also sports a 7-inch digital instrument cluster to give it a more modern look.

The hatchback also comes with digital air conditioning with a massive 9-inch infotainment system dominating the dashboard's center. 

Safety

The current generation Toyota Wigo comes with dual front airbags, ABS, ISOFIX, and reverse sonar for all variants in the Philippines. It also has a digital video recorder and a reverse camera for higher hatchback variants.

Over in Indonesia, the new Agya gets the same kit. However, unlike the Perodua Axia with its Advanced Driver Aids, the All-new Agya gets no Toyota Safety Sense features to keep it at an affordable price bracket. The lack of this feature set puts the new and the old Wigo on similar ground regarding safety. 

It should be noted that the all-new Perodua Axia, the Agya/Wigo's mechanical twin, got a 4 out of 5 ASEAN NCAP safety rating.

Power

Under the hood, the Toyota Wigo in the Philippines is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder, 12-valve gasoline engine that produces 66 PS and 89 Nm of torque. It sends power to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox.

Something to note is that the Perodua Axia, which has the same body as the Agya, also comes with a 1.0-liter gasoline engine; however, its power out has been bumped slightly to 68 PS and 91 Nm of torque. 

In the case of the new Toyota Agya, it gets a slightly larger 1.2-liter naturally aspirated 3-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 88 PS and 138 Nm of torque. If these figures seem familiar to you, it is because it is the same engine found in the Toyota Raize. Unlike the current Wigo, the all-new Agya is only available with a CVT.

Overall, the Agya is now the more powerful of the two Toyota hatchbacks thanks to its slightly larger 1.2-liter gasoline engine and potentially, the more fuel-efficient between the two as well. 

Verdict

The all-new version of the Toyota Wigo/ Toyota Agya is its better iteration. The old model, while still looking great and sporty, is already showing its age in terms of the features that it offers.

While neither the Agya nor the current Wigo comes with Toyota Safety Sense, its standard safety equipment is enough for modern requirements. And will surely help in keeping its price down once introduced to the Philippine market.

What we like about the newer model is that it comes with more power, similar to the Toyota Raize. For a hatchback of its size, this bump in power output will aid it significantly in the Philippine setting, especially against the evolving crossover segment, which has power figures way beyond the 100 PS mark. 

It also helps that the newer model comes with a GR Sport variant that upgrades its suspension setup for better handling. Whether or not Toyota Motor Philippines will do the same for the next-generation Wigo once it arrives here is still being determined. 

The newer version of the Toyota Wigo is the clear winner as it offers you more. The question now is, what will be the final specifications for the new Toyota hatchback once it arrives in the Philippines? 

Will it retain the same features as its Indonesian counterpart, or will it take on the specifications of the Malaysia Perodua Axia model? 

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