The short end of the stick? What features were removed from the Toyota Zenix in the Philippines?

The Toyota Zenix, the third-generation Toyota Innova, has officially entered the Philippine market. It brings a new chassis, a new set of features, and a game-changing hybrid system that will differentiate it from the diesel model of its past.

However, when the Toyota Zenix arrived in the local market, we noticed that it lacked a few of features present in our ASEAN neighbors.

That said, we have created a list of key features that Toyota Philippines has removed from the local version of the Toyota Zenix. Before starting, we understand that the Japanese automaker had to remove these features to keep the new 7-seater MPV relatively competitive within its segment.

No panoramic moonroof

If you were looking to gaze at the stars with your new Toyota Zenix, unfortunately, you won’t be able to do it as the local model does not come with this feature. It does come with mood light which is still a plus, but now you can’t let the natural light in.

Rear seat entertainment 

This feature is popular in other markets, so why not the Philippines? Who doesn’t want a touchscreen in the back that lets you watch youtube and other streaming apps from the back of the MPV?

The simple answer to why this feature isn’t available in the Philippine market is that no technology supports it. In Indonesia, the rear seat entertainment comes in two 10-inch touchscreens behind the front seats. These individual displays have access to the internet and can run video streaming applications. 

The Modellista kit

For the Indonesian market, the Zenix can be kitted out with Modellista accessories. These accessories give the MPV a more SUV-like look with a new grille, side skirts, and front bumper.

Power tailgate with voice command

While the Philippine version of the Toyota Zenix does come with a power tailgate option for the Q variant, it does not come with the voice command function found in the Indonesian market. The function makes opening and closing the rear door easier with a simple voice command. 

Black leather seats

For the Indonesian market, they can get the Zenix with Black leather seats instead of the brown and black color combination available in the local model. It gives the vehicle a sleeker interior look, especially when paired with a lighter-colored headliner.

Despite these features not being available in the local Toyota Zenix, their removal is understandable to help keep the vehicle relatively affordable. The MPV is still well-kitted despite these features not being present, making it worthy of its new price point. 

Do you think these features should have been in the local Toyota Zenix?

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