Toyota ist (XP110) Test Drive Report

ReportOctober 31, 2021

Targeting racy women and young men

Based on the previous generation Vitz, which is said to have changed the common sense of compact cars, a variety of siblings have been created. One of them is the Ist.

Its target is women who work hard in the city. The styling of the Ist is a bit like an SUV, giving it a dependable and active atmosphere. The interior has a lot of illumination to add a touch of quality, and the large diameter tires give it a higher class of driving experience. The Ist was positioned as a high-end model of the Vitz and became a big hit.

The Ist underwent its first minor change and was reborn as a model sold exclusively at Netz dealers. However, there are no major changes. The image of the car has been retained, but a new grade has been added. Since the car is selling well, there is no need for major changes. The A grade, with its emphasis on sportiness, was introduced in order to catch the younger male demographic, which is said to be somewhat thin at present.

Improved comfort in the upper class

The exterior was the most significant change in the facelift. The front and rear bumpers, as well as the side mudguards, are now the same color as the body, making the vehicle look lower and more formidable. The design of the front and rear lamps was also changed in order to give the car a higher quality feel.

Inside the cabin, the center meter and seat upholstery have been redesigned, and the meter in particular has been given a more distinctive look when the lights are on.

The newly introduced A grade has a special front grille and bumper, emphasizing its more aggressive atmosphere.

In addition, all grades are equipped with UV-cut glass as standard equipment, and other small improvements in comfort have been made. However, since the car originally debuted as a high-end model, it would be better to think that it would be satisfactory without drastic changes.

Sufficient driving power for city driving

In fact, the powertrain and suspension of the F and S grades have not been changed at all, so let's focus on the newly introduced A grade.

The A grade, however, has exactly the same output system. The only difference is in the suspension. The only difference is the suspension, which is the same as the suspension of the L-Edition Aero Package that was previously in the lineup. For the 4WD model, there is only one suspension option.

This is a testament to the high level of perfection of the car. The AS suspension, which is said to be the hardest, feels a little firm when driving around town. But after riding for a while, the feeling is just right. It's enough for everyday use.

Will it be able to expand its target audience as aimed?

To put it bluntly, the minor changes this time are quite modest among minor changes. The reason for keeping it at this level is that it is still selling well.

As was the concept when it was first launched, women make up a larger percentage of the user base, and women of all ages enjoy it. It may be a bit greedy to try to attract young men, but the overall quality of the car has been improved, so women should have no complaints. Personally, however, I feel that the SUV-like styling is what made it so good.

Well, design is a matter of personal preference, so I'll leave it aside. The newly introduced A grade is not too hard, so it can be recommended to women who usually commute to work or go shopping, and on holidays, take a long trip on the highway or a winding road. I would say that this one is more suitable for those who prefer a particularly racy flavor.

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