The 2022 Toyota Veloz is the first Toyota model to be tested under ASEAN NCAP’s stricter 2021 – 2025 protocol, which now also includes assessment for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as well as blind spot monitoring, among others.

The model tested is an Indonesian-market Toyota Veloz manufactured in 2021, with the front and side impact tests conducted at Japan’s JARI lab.

Although the Veloz scored 5 stars overall, it’s on the rather lower-end of the 5 stars scoring range.

In adult occupant protection, the Veloz scored 27.90 points (maximum is 32 points). Protection for injuries in the driver’s chest area was only marginal in both frontal and side impact collision.

Child occupant protection is good enough, scoring a maximum 16 points and 8 points for front and side impact protection respectively, although the Veloz lost some points with installation of child seats in the centre of the second row.

AEB, which Toyota refers to as Pre-Collision System (PCS), part of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of driving aids, passed all ASEAN NCAP requirements but the Veloz’s PCS didn’t score maximum points because there’s no pedestrian detection and the feature is not available as standard.

Blind spot detection was also satisfactory.

The Toyota Veloz is a higher-range variant of the Toyota Avanza, whose lineage has now been split into two.

For Malaysia, the Toyota Avanza has since been discontinued but the B-segment 7-seater will soon be succeeded by the Toyota Veloz.

Also read: RWD Toyota Avanza discontinued in Malaysia; new FWD Veloz launching soon?

Unlike the previous imported from Indonesia (CBU) Avanza, this third generation, Veloz-badged replacement model will be produced by Perodua, alongside the all-new 2022 D27A Perodua Alza.

Also read: Production of old Alza to stop by end-April, all-new 2022 Perodua Alza to launch in May?

This all-generation generation Avanza / Veloz will also drop the previous model’s 4-speed automatic rear-wheel drive transmission for a more fuel efficient CVT-type automatic front-wheel drive.

The engine will remain the same – 2NR-VE aluminium block 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i 4-cylinder, the same engine that’s powering the Toyota Vios and Toyota Yaris, and also the Perodua Myvi, albeit with a different 2NR-FE suffix.

UMW Toyota Motor is expected to launch the 2022 Toyota Veloz in the second half of 2022.

Also read: UMWT confirms 2022 successor to Toyota Avanza, Veloz variant rumoured