Toyota Zenix

Toyota Zenix boasts a large and well-appointed cabin with a very modern aesthetic, emphasizing comfort, spaciousness, and understated luxury. The dashboard and door panels feature a mixture of molded plastic and soft-touch materials. The addition of metallic highlights and subtle stitching adds a nice luxurious touch. The ergonomic dashboard allows for quick access to controls and comes equipped with a 7-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster. A huge 10.1-inch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible touchscreen infotainment system dominates the whole setup. 

Both the base and Hybrid variant offers power-adjustable and heated seats, with fabric upholstery for the former; and a blend of leather and cloth upholstery for the Hybrid. A 6-speaker sound system, several USB ports (both Type A and C), electronic controls (start button, windows, door), and an adjustable steering wheel comprise the basic setup. The Hybrid comes with added perks like a wireless charger, a power tailgate with a kick sensor, an upgraded sound system, and even a panoramic sunroof. 

Despite its ample legroom and headroom for the driver’s and second-row seating, the third row is a bit cramped. Thankfully, foldable seating affords additional storage space alongside the already preexisting trunk space it comes with. 

The Zenix sports a very modern exterior appearance, breaking away from the utilitarian aspect of its predecessor, the Avanza. A powerful, trapezoidal grille with a pronounced chrome accent is the central focus of the front fascia and is complemented by sharp, swept-back LED headlamps. The contoured hood gives off a sporty flair, while the character lines running down the sides add just the right touch of refinement. Stylish alloy wheels add to its overall appeal, and black cladding around the wheel arches and lower body suggests its more utilitarian aspect. 

The rear is distinguished by slim LED taillights joined by an elegant chrome strip. A roof spoiler adds a sporty touch, while chrome accents on door handles and window surrounds tie the whole scheme together. Overall, the Zenix's exterior design strikes a mix of elegance and no-frills functionality that is to be expected of an MPV.

The Zenix comes in seven color options. There are four for the gasoline variant, which are: Platinum White Pearl Mica, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica. The Hybrid also comes in three exclusive colors: Dark Steel Mica, Platinum White Pearl Mica, and Blackish Brown Mica. 

The Zenix is a comfort-oriented vehicle that affords a smooth and readily compliant handling, near-effortless driving, and reliable stability even at high speeds. The Hybrid is generally quieter than the default, thank in part to the addition of an electric motor, although the gas variant is still close to quiet enough to afford a relatively peaceful ride. 

The Zenix shares the same gasoline engine, the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, CVT M20A-FKS for the V variant, and the M20A-FXS for the Q Hybrid variant. The former is capable of 171 hp at 6,600 rpm with 205 Nm of torque, while the latter is capable of a slightly lower 148 hp at a modest 6,000 rpm at 188 Nm of torque.

Toyota doesn’t skimp on safety when it comes to either of the Zenix variants. Both come with the standard suite of both passive and active safety features that have become a mainstay in all modern vehicles. The Hybrid variant does have the addition of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of safety technology, but the gas-powered variant is by no means lacking. Both trims offer extensive, reliable, and up-to-date features, making it one of the safest rides currently available on the market. 

If you’re looking for a no-fuss vehicle that delivers nothing short of a reliable, dependable, and perfectly practical performance, the new Toyota Zenix might just be the right choice for you.