My AutoFest 2016: 2016 Toyota Sienta Previewed For The First Time In Malaysia

At today's opening of My AutoFest 2016, organized by the Malaysian Automotive Associaton, UMW Toyota Motor has quietly pulled the wraps off the Toyota Sienta, a seven-seater MPV that is expected to make its Malaysian debut sometime between late-2016 and early-2017.

What is it?

The Sienta is a 1.5-litre front-wheel drive (as opposed to the rear-wheel drive 1.5-litre Avanza) seven-seater MPV with sliding doors. Think of it as Toyota’s follow-up to the now discontinued Honda Freed.

Unlike the Avanza, or even the Nissan Grand Livina, the Sienta’s taller body and sliding doors offers much greater utility than conventional hinged doors MPVs.

Power comes from a 1.5-litre 2NR-FE Dual VVT-i that’s shared with the Avanza (and an upcoming improved Vios), mated to a CVT-type automatic transmission with seven virtual speeds.

How much is it?

At the moment, UMW Toyota Motor isn’t saying much, as the Sienta is still making its rounds at road shows in Indonesia, where the Sienta is going to be imported from. However Toyota’s Indonesian arm have said that in Indonesia, the 1.5-litre Sienta will be priced between the 1.5-litre Avanza and 2.0-litre Innova.

Assuming that the same price positioning applies for Malaysia, buyers can expect the Sienta to be priced between RM100,000 to RM130,000. Assuming the all-new Innova (also due in 2017) will see a similar increase in price as its sister cars the Hilux and Fortuner, we don’t expect the Innova’s starting price to be anything below RM130,000 (about RM15,000 increase from the outgoing Innova).

What are the highlights?

Assuming that the Malaysian-market Sienta will mirror the ones sold in Indonesia, safety features will include anti-lock brakes (ABS), and stability control (VSC), but airbag count remains at just three - dual airbags for front occupants, plus driver’s knee airbag.

Inside the cabin, utility functions include a one-touch fold and tumble second row seats, air-conditioning blower for the second row, and flat-folding third row seats that collapses into the second row’s floor (with the second row seats tumbled forward).

Higher range variants are likely to include power sliding doors (both sides), LED headlamps, automatic air-conditioning, and infotainment screen for rear occupants.

The video below refers to the Indonesian market Sienta, and might be slightly different from the ones bound for Malaysia.