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The first quarter of the year is almost finished, but it is still a good time to buy a vehicle that’s considered one of the best buys in the compact hatchback segment: a 2012 Toyota Vitz. This model belongs to the third-generation release launched in December 2010. It has been redesigned, with optimized features, a lighter body, and a more fuel-efficient overall package. The compact and sporty styling plus its affordable price make the Vitz one of the must-buy compacts in the automotive market today. Outside Japan, the Vitz is known as the Yaris. The 2010 redesign featured an improved aerodynamic performance, a lowered drag, an extended wheelbase and overall length, and a super UV-cut front door glass—the first of its kind in the world. The new glass effectively reduces 99% ultraviolet light from penetrating the car, this protecting drivers from the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to the sun. The placement of the instrument cluster was also ergonomically placed in front of the driver, a big improvement from the previous generation where the cluster was placed at the center dash. The Vitz may have gotten longer (100mm was added) and slightly lower (by 30mm), but it has grown lighter. Because of the weight-saving measures undertaken on the Vitz, the car is now 30kg lighter than its predecessor. When it comes to design, the new Vitz looks more sculptured, and a closer look will show that some of its style elements are the same as that of the Prius. The hatchback’s aerodynamic shape gives it a low coefficient drag value (0.285), saving precious fuel. How fuel efficient is the 2012 Toyota Vitz? Well, the 1.3-liter engine’s Dual VVT-i and the Toyota Stop & Start idling-stop feature make the car go and impressive 26.5 kilometers on a single liter of gas. The Vitz is offered with three engines: a 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit that produces 69 hp, a 1.3-liter four-cylinder unit that can generate 95 hp, and the biggest, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that can come up with 110 hp. The 1.5-liter engine powers up the RS grade, deemed the sporty trim among the lot. The RS trim is special in that has exclusive designs both on the front and the rear. From the bumpers to the roof spoilers, the RS grade is unmistakably the athlete—it also has sports car-style seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and is also available with a five-speed manual transmission or seven-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic transmission. All the other trim models are equipped with a continuously variable transmission. Another convincing reason to buy a 2012 Toyota Vitz is that it does so well in the automotive market. Since its first-generation release in 1999 and up to the latest generation, the model has sold more than 3.5 million new units worldwide. More than 1.4 million of that number was sold in Japan alone, making the Vitz a top bestselling model in over 70 countries around the world. It is easy to underestimate the 2012 Toyota Vitz because of its size. When you begin to drive it though, you will be convinced that it is actually way better than it looks.
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