International: Toyota Vigo Pickup

[Ming]

Setting a new standard
Published on Aug 30, 2004
Bangkok's The Nation
Vijo Varghese



In looks, finish, comfort and performance, the Toyota Vigo goes where no pickup has gone before

Leading the way” would be a good slogan for Toyota itself, not only its new Camry, as it appears to be what the Japanese auto-maker is aiming for with all its products.

With the launch of the new Camry, Toyota became the first auto-maker in the Thai market to offer a car with a GPS navigational system. Now, with the launch of the Vigo, Toyota has shown the local pickup market something never seen before.

If we were to pass judgement on the Vigo in the fewest words possible, they would be “a new standard”.

The Vigo’s interior is remarkable, so much so that it would compare favourably even with a sedan. The fit, finish and attention to detail are exemplary by pickup standards. The interior has been liberated of cheap plastics: everything feels firm and sturdy. The seat upholstery is like that used in the Prius hybrid car. The dashboard design is modern, and the instrument panel is truly sporty and a pleasure to look at, though the beautifully set cluster can only be enjoyed by the driver due to the deep-set dials.

You get a feeling of liberation in the Vigo’s cabin: it almost begs you to take a deep breath and savour the fact that it’s just a tiny portion of the air in the vast interior space. The driving position is great and the view of the road even better. The driving area is spacious, and in the double cab 4WD version we tested even the rear passengers have ample leg room.

The automatic gearbox is impressive, both in looks and performance. The ladder-type gearbox is smooth to operate, although the gear that engages the four-wheel drive could have looked better. The manual version is not that state-of-the-art. The lever has been placed too high up, and the shifts are so smooth you wonder whether you’ve actually changed gear or not.

The ease of shifting could be an indicator that Toyota plans to appeal more to female buyers.

The overall interior design simply brushes aside all competition, easily outclassing the Isuzu D-Max and Chevrolet Colorado. There are numerous storage spaces and two cup-holders that pop out at the push of a button.

The body styling is also impressive: the Vigo is bigger in all ways than its predecessor, and the increased width and height add to its robust appeal. The bonnet hood, which directly rams air into the intercooler, gives the pickup a mean, aggressive look while the front grille with the silver “intercooler” sign provides a touch of class. The only pickup that comes close to the Vigo in terms of exterior design is the beautifully crafted Mitsubishi Strada.

However, the small tyres on the Vigo make it look unbalanced, like a giant with baby shoes on. A change to A/T or M/T tyres might do the trick.

Turn the key, and you will be surprised by the engine noise, or rather the lack of it. The Vigo’s engine is amazingly quiet: even at 190 kilometres per hour it felt more like a petrol than a diesel, with very little noise in the cabin.

The Vigo’s slogan, “the perfect drive”, is subjective. It’s a comfort cruiser with the mission of getting you and your goods from point A to point B as comfortably as a pickup can. The suspension is set for pure suppleness: you could go over a pothole and feel like it was it a golf hole.

However, along with the comfort comes body roll, and a hefty amount of at that. A little slalom and the pickup’s weight seems to shift around like an aircraft in bad weather. Spirited driving is a no-no, unless in a straight line.



The three-litre turbocharged diesel engine with intercooler produces 163bhp at 3,400rpm and a mammoth 340Nm of torque at 3,200rpm, making you wonder: “Is this actually a pickup?” The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and manages to give a kick-down at even 120kph. The other engine options are a turbocharged 2.5-litre and a turbocharged 2.5-litre with intercooler.

The brakes are a definite disappointment. Period. The lack of response gets you thinking that you’ve only disengaged the clutch and forgotten to press the brake pedal. The body roll without doubt makes hard braking a twitchy affair.

The Vigo performed well off road. This it managed to do with H/T (highway terrain) tyres, so all credit to the high-torque engine. The manual version went up a 30-degree incline without pressing the accelerator, though the automatic version needed a little prodding. However, the automatic is the easier one to drive off road.

The body roll might make off-roading more comfortable but increases chances of damaging the body. The running board on almost all the test vehicles got dented, mainly from hitting high obstacles.

The Vigo achieved an amazing 20 kilometres per litre in the fuel-consumption competition organised for the test-drivers. However, this was with the least powerful version, fitted with the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine without intercooler.

The Vigo has set a benchmark for pickups in the Kingdom. Smaller players like the Ford Ranger, Mazda Fighter and Mitsubishi Strada had better come up with something new or perish altogether. As for the Isuzu D-Max, no more will it enjoy absolute market dominance.

The Thai pickup market has been redefined.

Article and Specs here

[Ming]

That's one G, not two...



On a serious note, anyone see a resemblance of the rear tailgate area to the Colorado?

[sheithappens]

So basically, you cant take it off road without tearing it apart. You can't take it on roads with corners faster than 35. And without the help of strong headwinds are unable to stop in an emergency.

Sweet.

[atomicshark]

OK...when I think Vigo, I don't think Toyota. I think Ghost Busters II.

[Jeffff]

Originally posted by Ming@Aug 29 2004, 05:43 PM
On a serious note, anyone see a resemblance of the rear tailgate area to the Colorado?

Yep, I saw that too.

I also noticed a bit of a similarity in the front.

[gmwsag]

Looks stunning...I like.
I really want to see the interior. The Hilux was a very good car when it was here in the U.S.
Well, thanks for getting a hold of this...I hope this is the new Tacoma/Tundra?!?!

[GM_Guy81]

Stunning?

Toyota products get uglier with each iteration.

[sceltor]

I couldn't read past the second paragraph-the author's semen was blurring the words too badly.

[SUPERBADD75]

so i'm confused.... is that the Tacoma or what? i like it pretty well, but i don't see a Colorado tailgate like some of you.... i see Frontier. overall, not terrible, but i'd take a Frontier with its upcoming 265hp/284lb.ft. V6.... now that will be the one to have. Toyota builds a good truck, but they haven't looked very good lately.

[jro4566]

BTW, our upcoming Tacoma Crew Cab looks totally different up front. I saw it over at CSS.tk.

[LGRpup]

Originally posted by sceltor@Aug 29 2004, 09:32 PM
I couldn't read past the second paragraph-the author's semen was blurring the words too badly.

LMAO :roflmao:

[ibechip]

OK so it's ugly, can't off-road and can't stop. It shifts great tho! I'm sure Chevy is just shaking.

[ByTheLake]

Originally posted by laserwizard@Aug 29 2004, 06:16 PM
Ugly. Butt Ugly. Looks like someone stole a hood scope off a 1960's muscle car and stuck it on a rice hauler and said "new and improved". I'm sure in the Thai market that is hot stuff when the competition is comprised of water buffalo's, rick shaws, and cars with two stroke motors puffing out thick clouds of blue smoke.

Laser, you're right on ... the hood scoop doesn't really fit.

[pkd87]

Better than colorado.

[mjd1001]

I don't know what to think about it. Certainly it's not the most attractive looking vehicle I have ever seen....but yet it's different enough to be somewhat appealing.

Take this basic design of the front end and smooth out some things and I think it might look good.