Seven -seater sumo

In the left corner, the Kia Sedona

BOTH Toyota and Kia quietly introduced their seven seaters in the same week across South Africa.

Price wise, it’s a Sumo wrestler against a cage fighter, but is the spartan Avanza now comfy enough to lure some of the Kia buyers? 

Toyota, which started selling its all-new Avanza on Tuesday, boasts that its prices have “virtually no competitors” among compact, seven-seat MPVs. 
Kia drivers just smile, knowing their passengers can move their limbs and breath in at the same time in the back. Kia only imports the Sedona VQ seven seater, costing almost R420 000. A more economical 2,2 diesel engine replaces the previous Sedona’s 2,9 diesel guzzler.

In the right corner: Toyota Avanza

Toyota has five Avanzas on offer, starting at a mere R155 900 for the wheezy 1 298 cc. The fact that Kia throws in a Venter as part of the launch deal raises the question of whether Avanza can steal its clients. The Avanza can pull quite well. It can also carry seven children in reasonable comfort. But it cannot do both up a hill in anything but low gear.

Neuro-fuzzy AI

Which means, if you do need to lug loads, seat people and get there in this lifetime, go Korean. The Kia now has a six-speed autobox with “neuro-fuzzy artificial intelligence”, which it says can accurately predict the engine response you prefer.

These systems play with the gear changes, and can save a lot of fuel if you train your right foot to go more up than down. Or vice versa. 

Having dissed the smaller Toyota block, I now have to admit Toyota’s genius in making power from nothing. The pistons are over-stroked and this leverage, coupled with the variable valves, enables the petrol mill to generate its maximum torque from a respectable 4,400 revs.

But that torque is only seven Newton metres more than what you get in an old Ford Bantam, so don’t expect any miracles uphill.

The 1,3 will, however, return very good fuel economy on the school run. For taxi work, pay the extra R19 400 and get the 1,5 engine. Its 76 kW and 136 Nm will be able to lug a load above the minimum highway speed. Eventually.

Low-rolling resistance tyres

All Avanza models now ride on low-rolling resistance tyres. The cheaper models ride on 14-inch steel wheels, and the TX gets 15-inch alloys.

The entry-level “S” comes with ABS, remote central locking, alarm, immobiliser, electric power steering (tilt-adjustable), electric windows, dual-front air bags and a plethora of storage compartments as standard.

SX models add electric side mirrors, air conditioning and adjustable second-row seats.

A tight squeeze for seven, but
the third row now has climate control

The flagship Avanza TX adds a modern four-speaker sound system with steering controls, and climate control with separate rear roof vents for rear passengers.

Compared with this, the new Sedona VQ comes with everything, and Bluetooth in the steering wheel nogal. In keeping with the Far East’s re­luctance to throw away old music, it still has a six-CD front loader, but the radio also has built-in MP3 and USB ports. The electric tailgate opens with the press of a button or with the remote.