Next-gen 2022 Toyota Sienta will be able to park itself, looks quirkier than initially expected

The Toyota Sienta once fought against the Perodua Alza in Malaysia, but it couldn't quite catch on and was discontinued after just three years here. Sales continued elsewhere, and a third generation is coming, as these pictures off Japan show ahead of its August launch.

Quirky gets quirkier, as the new Sienta wears a face not unlike a friendly robot on its traditional, breadloaf-shaped silhouette. The rear is as round as can be, and the MPV now gets high-mounted taillights.

Also read: Scoop: A flop in Malaysia, all-new 2022 Toyota Sienta to be launched in Japan in August

Not much can be seen of the interior, but that looks simple enough, with at least one variant receiving a sizeable infotainment touchscreen in the middle (said to be 10.5-inches wide). This particular car keeps its column-mounted gear lever too, which frees up more space below the centre console.

Also read: Was it the quirky looks? These are reasons why the Toyota Sienta wasn't popular in Malaysia

Under the skin, the Sienta is said to be carved out of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, and will share powertrains with the Aqua and Yaris. This includes the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre M15A-FKS 3-pot petrol engine (120 PS/145 Nm) and the 1.5-litre hybrid engine (171 PS/261 Nm).

Also read: The TNGA Toyota Yaris (and Yaris Cross) may not come to Malaysia. Here’s why

Aside from modern safety features, one source says that Toyota Teammate Advanced Park will be an option. This allows for handsfree, automatic parking; pretty cool to have.

Over in Malaysia this isn't a model to expect UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) to reintroduce, and the Sienta-shaped void will be filled by the Toyota Veloz instead.

Also read: 2022 Toyota Veloz shows off Apple CarPlay that the Perodua Alza doesn't have

Though if you have the hots for an MPV – with 7 seats, without 10-month waiting list – then the previous-gen Sienta is always an option. Our buyer's guide for that can be read here, and there's listings of it on Carsome are in this link.