The Toyota Reiz gets an update for 08
The Toyota Reiz seems to be a model that is only made for certain Asian markets, namely Japan, China and Singapore. The FAW made Reiz seems to be a slightly shorter muscular brother to the Camry, the Reiz comes as a 2.5 V6 or 3.0V6 model. The 2.5V6 throws out 196BHP while the 3.0 model is a stonking 230bhp. This must make it one of the finest cars on the Chinese roads! The newer model for 08 gets lights on its wing mirrors, updated front grill, and a new set of lights at the back.
China Car Times has a serious hankering for this car, and now that the updated 08 model is out, perhaps there is going to be a decent discount on the 07 model.
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This has got to be one of most attractive cars on Chinese roads today. The styling is just perfect and the finishing touchs to such items as the exhaust tail pipes has been done well. You are right Ashley, the car looks like a shorter Camry. I see this model regularly on my travels around Shanghai and I think if only they sold it in Australia.
This car would do well in some other markets. Do not understand why Toyota have not done so already.
Patrick,
I have a severe hankering for this car, Its much better than anything else on the roads (including the Roewe/MG7)
Its just perfect, the price is perfect (starts at 190,000rmb for the 2.5 V6 basic model to 300,000 for the top of the line 3.0l) I think the 200,000rmb one is fine for me, I dislike leather seats with a passion but the sunroof would be nice.
It only seems to come in either silver, or black though.
I have a Reiz, in BJ, very good car. RWD, Camry is FWD. Forget the Roewe.
What I really like about the Reiz is its engine, BMW can learn from this.
Fuel-economy is not its strongest point though.
What the Fuel Economy like, approaching 10l per 100kn?
I drive a silver 2.5l Reiz, black interior with GPS in Shanghai. Absolutely satisfied. The best value for money in RWD by miles (except for 16-inch tyres which are sh*t).
Fuel-wise it’s twofold. Stabilized 120-130kph on highways it burns less than 8l/100km thanks to great aerodynamics, long 6th gear (2200 rpm!) and direct ignition. In the city jams though it can easily burn more than 15l (1700kg…) On average I am around 12l.
Not an economical for city driving is it!?!
I did like the Reiz that I test drove, except it seems to be extremely lacking in rear space, and headroom.
I would buy one as opposed to any other car 200k plus mid size sedan though, especially if I was 30+ years old.
Rear space is scarce indeed especially behind me (I am above 1.85m), and transmission basically kills the center seat. Headroom, likewise (but I never sit rear, haha). I am 36, good guess Ash!
For people who can live with FWD I’d recommend the new Mondeo. Shape-wise it’s a killer, interior is well-finished, and the Ford V6 is not too bad. I’ll test-drive it this weekend.
Is it me or are Toyotas a bit small in China? I smack my head getting in and out of every single model.
Prince of Thieves, did you ever get to drive the new Mondeo? If so, how would you compare it with the Reiz? I actually prefer the looks of the new Mondeo, and I have a feeling the Reiz is due for an update soon but it’s appealing to me as a “poor man’s Lexus GS” (it uses the same platform as the GS and Crown).
New Mondeo is great. Quite silent, very precise, with a decent tyre set even in China. Engine-wise the 2.3 is sufficient in most cases in China and the V6 can shake the front wheels pretty heavily at full throttle. Nice interior too. Best offer at present in FWD models, way better than new Accord, Camry or Hyundai.
But it’s FWD… and I am an RWD-aficionado… if they release a Mondeo V6 AWD, I might consider.
I upgraded the tyre size and grade of my Reiz (235/50×18) and as you can imagine have a great improvement. Now a RWD with zero electronic assistance = that’s what “fun to drive” means to me, rather than ESP-DSC-whatever. A curve with a Mondeo will never be the same as a curve with a Reiz especially when it rains…
In addition, Reiz just had an upgrade actually. Slight changes outside but stupid new definitions inside: now if you want the black interior you need to go for the “Premium Sports” version, with either 2.5 or 3.0 engine. Trouble is, if you want the integrated GPS-bluetooth-multimedia, you can’t have it with the 2.5 “Premium Sports”. So if you want black interior with multimedia, it is 3.0 or nothing (and 3.0 engine is a waste, if you have 3600,00RMB to spend on a car don’t spend them on a Reiz, there’s a fantastic Infiniti G35, 310bhp, 0-100kph in 5.9s, at only RMB430,000 with 4-year free maintenance and 4-year full warranty). And if you want 2.5 with multimedia, you can only have the ivory interior (which I simply hate).
Therefore my 2.5 black interior with multimedia is a collector
If you don’t really care about FWD or RWD, then I’d say go for the Mondeo. And hey… James Bond drove it ;-P
Thanks for the quick feedback, Prince Of Thieves!
That’s good to know about how they’ve packaged the various options for the Reiz. GPS/DVD/bluetooth are all nice to have, but if the car drives as well as you implies them I’m willing to live without these bells and whistles. Also, there should be aftermarket solutions for these. I actually prefer the lighter interior color, so it looks like I’m not that affected by this change.
Can you tell me what’s included in the “Premium Sports”? Is there anything that actually affects performance, such as a different suspension? I know this info is all on Toyota’s China website, but I couldn’t find any specs in English. I guess it’s time to brush up on my Chinese.
A great news compared to first version is that vehicle stability+traction controls (VSC+TRC) are now standard on the Reiz as long as you do not choose the cheapest one. An absolute must to have (I don’t…) – and this makes it a very decent proposal now (no doubt it kills any Mondeo on highways, mine reaches the 240kph mark).
Premium Sports includes front and rear spoilers (dispensable though not overdone), darker rear windows (doors+car), black leather+carbon fiber interior. The only significant thing that changes in the 2.5V Premium Sports are the tyres: 215/55×17 instead of 215/60×16. I have been driving my 2.5V with the latter tyres 32000km now and conclusion is: they are shit (although it shall be better with VSC+TRC) and needed a significant upgrade.
I did not mention specific equipments of the 3.0 (rotating headlights etc.) but will do so if you are interested
Thanks for the info! I suppose that VSC would be good to have on this car given that it’s quite powerful and RWD. With the Mondeo, ESP+EBA is only available on the top model, but it’s not really needed on that car.
I have a couple of other questions – which model would I have to choose in order to get the in-car air purification system? Now that I am spending over 2 hrs/day commuting to and from work and breathing in the wonderful BJ air, I think that having this would do wonders for my health.
Finally, I read that the interior is a bit cramped and that the RWD tunnel makes the rear center seat less useful – someone said that it’s smaller than the civic. Would you agree? How would you compare the size to the BMW 3-series and Audi A4?
I should also mention that looks of the Reiz has grown on me now that I’ve been paying more attention to ones I see on the road. And I’ve been reading a lot of very good reviews on the Mondeo from the UK auto press. It’s just too bad we don’t get the 2.5 5-cyl turbo engine (Volvo) over here! Anyways, I think I’ll be very happy with either the Reiz or the new Mondeo. It’ll come down to a test drive which hopefully I’ll do this weekend.
Oh yeah, no need to get into details about the 3.0. Now if only we got the DFI version of that engine here (250+ hp!), I might be more interested.
The Reiz 3.0 is rare on the market, i guess it would depreciate much faster than most of other 350kRMB cars. Again, for that money, go for BMW 5-series or even an imported one: new Cadillac CTS 2.8 is only 360k in entry range, or go for Lexus/Infiniti for a slice more (400k+).
I have no info on in-car air purification — seems all Reizes have the same, standard system, with nothing more specific than air intake filters i do not know about (and I guess are neither HEPA nor active carbons). Airbag-wise you’d need to go to 2.5V to have knee and curtain airbags (2.5S only has front passenger airbags, like my good ol’ 2.5V).
Smaller than the Civic, it is a bit exaggerated as Reiz is quite wide. Remember many companies use the Crown (same base) as company car. However it is surely smaller at the back than Mondeo. Comfort at the back hugely depends on driver’s seat position — that’s why no one sits behind me as I have looong legs…
Check the seats too, if you are tall you might find Reiz seats slightly too short, don’t remember the Mondeo for that.
Conversely, boot size is very interesting, you really can put a lot, and 60/40 separation is great. Seems Mondeo is big too. Reiz also has Isofix hooks for baby seats (don’t know if you are interested
)
If you are in Shanghai some time just let me know, i could show you all I like (and the bits I don’t like…) on that car! One thing your trial won’t reveal is how silent (or noisy) the Mondeo is. Don’t know if you consider this a major quality, but the Reiz is very silent at normal speeds. Downtown, this RWD and its ability to U-turn with very limited space (combined with length below 4.8m) and ultra-light steering wheel makes it a pleasure to park compared to almost all FWDs.
Reiz being “old” compared to Mondeo seemingly does not include iPod plug nor MP3 reading capability. So it’s good ol’ CDs or an FM transmitter at the back of your MP3 player if you go for the Reiz. Check the Mondeo on that but I doubt they forgot it.
I might think of other things while commenting so feel free to keep asking
Part 1:
Thanks for the tips! I’m a bit tall myself so I’ll make sure to pay attention to the seats when I go for my test drive. That’s good to know that the boot size is generous – I was a bit worried as the tail looks rather short. Quiet ride and small turning ratio are definite pluses for me too – I remember reading that the Reiz has variable assist electric power steering?
I’ve sat in the back of the new Mondeo and it is cavernous. In fact, the large size is the main thing that’s putting me off that car. I usually view having lots of interior space as a good thing, but with the traffic and parking situation over here it’s better to go with a smaller car. It also helps that I don’t have any kids.
As for the air purification system, I was actually referring to the system shown here:
http://www.ftms.com.cn/reiz/interior.php
Scroll down and you’ll see photos showing the “Clean Ion” indicator and in description about how it works in Chinese:
等离子发生器
具有净化空气效果的等离子发生器，能将有清新效果的离子从空调中心的出风口源源不断地送向车内，使空气中的离子平衡调整至最佳状态，为车内时刻提供清新空气。
Part 2:
Some more information on the air purification system can be found here:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/061213.htm
Infiniti is using the same system in some of their models as well:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/05/plasmacluster.html
But unfortunately, it seems this system is only available on the 3.0v. Look at the second item “等离子发生器” in the section talking about air ventilation (2nd last section) on the following pages:
http://www.ftms.com.cn/reiz/accessories_2.5.php
http://www.ftms.com.cn/reiz/accessories.php
Drat…
Well I suppose if I end up getting the Reiz I’ll go with the 2.5s w/ sunroof, as it also comes with Xenon headlights, VSC as you mentioned earlier, and power and heated front seats.
Thanks for the offer – I currently don’t have any plans to be in Shanghai in the near future but if I do go down I’ll drop you a note.
Im not exactly tall, and I smack my head getting in and out of every single Toyota Ive been in.
The reiz was meant for Japanese salary men!
Part 2 (I must be running into some size limitation):
Some more information on the air purification system can be found here:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/061213.htm
Infiniti is using the same system in some of their models as well:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/05/plasmacluster.html
But unfortunately, it seems this system is only available on the 3.0v. Look at the second item “等离子发生器” in the section talking about air ventiliation (2nd last section) on the following pages:
http://www.ftms.com.cn/reiz/accessories_2.5.php
http://www.ftms.com.cn/reiz/accessories.php
Part 2:
Some more information on the air purification system can be found here:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/061213.htm
Infiniti is using the same system in some of their models as well:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/05/plasmacluster.html
Not sure what’s going on, but I’m having problems getting my posts to show up here…
Ash – Its because you posted many links in one post, it trips the spam filter.
Ash, you’re a bit harsh
I am 6ft (1.83m) and do not smack my head — on the other side I admit I need to set the driver’s seat at the lowest position. For drivers above 6ft2in (1.90m) Reiz with openable roof might be too low.
I checked again on the ionizer (now I remember having seen it) and… only the 3.0 offers it (unavailable as an option on any 2.5).
Reiz has variable assist electric power steering indeed. Saw another nice feature mine doesn’t have and the Reiz 2008 has: automatic windshield wipers (mine are manual). Automatic lights was already available for first generation so still exists. Day, night, sun, rain: no need to touch anything
guess the Mondeo brings that too.
As an accessory on mine I added a photo-chromic inside mirror — an absolute must if you drive highways at night in China, and quite inexplicably not automatically mounted on the 2.5. Accessory’s priced around 1,200 RMB (rats!)
Thanks Ash, that makes sense… My last two “Part 2″ posts are duplicates and should be deleted.
Prince – in addition to the photochromic mirror, I’ll probably add the back-up radar system as well.
i’ve always liked this car as well. the styling and engine size are all great. How does it match up against the camry though? is it cheaper?
I don’t know how the mechanics and dynamics matchup, but from the front and front quarter panels I often think it is a Camry until it gets close.
From the side or back, it is a hotter / faster looking car.
The Camry is 190,000 to 300,000rmb. None of which have the same performance as the Reiz, most are just 2.0l 146BHP, others are 2.4 167BHP. Over priced and underpowered when compared to the Reiz.
In the luxury dept, I think the Reiz wins as well, but the Camry sells better.
I want this car ASAP, good news is that my wife is going to visit her parents for two weeks so I might just sell her car and buy a Reiz, even though she said Im forbidden from buying any new car until at least next Feb.
Went to have a test drive today.
Saw the car, yes, it is luxurious in the pictures but it is thoroughly boring on the interior. Its more of an executive car than something for a fun loving slightly overweight, mildly balding twenty something like myself.
My Nissan Livina has more space for rear passengers and boot space, although, my livina gets used more as a truck rather than a passenger car.
My wife didnt like the Reiz either, she said it had no personality, I tend to agree with her on this, I didnt even bother to test drive it was that boring.
We need a bigger car for our future family (this is my excuse) dog mountain bikes, we had a look at the Mazda 6 sports model, excellent. Then the Mazda 6 wagon (which has the same 2.3 engine sports ability), Its not often that my wife agrees with me on which car to buy, but it seems we have on that one. Mazda 6 Wagon.
Dog mountain bikes? Is it sorta like Dog the Bounty Hunter except he licensed his likeness to mountain bikes?
On a serious note, I’d take a state wagon (estate) over a MPV/minivan anyday.
Camry has the old 2.4l 4-cyl engine that gets nowhere near the V6 of the Reiz. Besides Camry is FWD which I’ll never ever get again. Price-wise it’s very reasonable in low-range but can get more expensive with better equipped versions.
Fits me like a glove.
I see a lot of these are Guangzhou too. Very nice car and not out of place beside any luxury car. Saw a slightly souped up black one this afternoon that looked pretty hot. Wish I had a camera phone at times like those…
EGADS, a Toyota I like and it’s not a Lexus (yeah, same company but whateva)! Daddy wants. I just can’t believe I see a Toyota that’s not an appliance, good job TMC!
It is the Toyota that looks most like a Lexus indeed. Same wheelbase as Lexus GS, that’s probably why…
LIKE TO CHECK IF ANYBODY HAVE ANY SOURCE FOR ROOF RACK FOR THE REIZ/ MARK X?
NEED THE EXTRA SPACE TO CARRY LUGGAGE FOR LONG ROAD TRIP.
FEEDBACK ON THIS LIKE WHERE TO GET THEM WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED!
Thule?
I HAD TRIED THEM BUT THEY (IN SWEDEN) SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING FOR THIS MODEL.
ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE WELCOMED.
MANY THANKS
Try and find a Japanese roof rack maker, the MarkX is a popular salary mans car over there in Japan, Im sure there is something for it. Try a search on Yahoo Japan.
Mikey, try Alibaba and see if there are any folks there that can help out. If not maybe look at modifying another roof rack to fit your car or having something custom made… a bit of a hassle but can be done.
Am I the only one that thinks of all the toyots as something someone in their 50′s should be driving? I have never driven a toyota that felt like a sports car. MR2, Celica. They are garbage compared to other cars. If you are just into the look of the car that is one thing. But buying a car with a bigger engine for going straight gets boring fast. Might as well buy a Ford Mustang. Fast in a straight line and shit in the turns. I have driven the camry and camry solara and the steering is way too heavy. Make the car feel like a huge boat. My brother got a Toyota Matrix and that car is a piece also. 180hp and slower than my 160hp Honda Element back in the states. Might as well get a car with a smaller engine that is fun to drive. Not like you can drive that fast hardly anywhere in China anyway. If you do you are going to run someone over for sure since they cross the roads looking the opposite direction. Kind of like me crossing the roads in Hong Kong only they have lived here all their lives.
You are a bit harsh on the MR2, maybe you refer to the 2nd version, but the first one was definitely great fun.
Reiz struck me at test-drive with the lightness of its steering. With this car you have almost 200bhp for 1.6ton, RWD, and no electronic assistance whatsoever. Just the definition itself is fun (at least my kind of fun — used to have an old BMW back in Europe). Along hilly curvy roads of Zhejiang or Jiangxi, gearbox in manual (sequential) mode, you can control the slide with the throttle and the wheel.
Sure it is not a “sports” car but with the kid at the back but being able to burn only 7.3l/100km (and silently) at an average 100kph on Chinese highways, and to drive Qingdao to Shanghai in 5h40mn all with the same car, not mentioning the great looks, i am more than satisfied.
Next car shall be a hybrid Lexus.
I like this:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122788#2
I just wanted to follow-up that I did finally get to test-drive an ’08 Reiz. As expected, the 2.5L V6 and 6-speed auto transmission are first-rate. I drove it to triple digits and absolutely no complaints there.
Now, onto the bad points. I do agree that the interior is looking a bit dated, especially in the cheaper S models without the multimedia pack. And the tight quarters and RWD transmission tunnel basically makes this car a 4+1 seater (4 adults + 1 kid).
Looks are very subjective. Even now I still keep bouncing back and forth between liking and not liking it. I can honestly say that it’s very distinctive – you won’t mistake it for any other car on the road over here.
As for driving dynamics, this is what surprised me the most. Yes, the car felt well-planted, but a bit too much so – it didn’t feel like it wanted to play. Now I don’t doubt that the Reiz handles well – and I couldn’t properly judge this on my test-drive – I’m just saying that it didn’t have the light and lively feel of other sports sedans I’ve driven, such as the Audi S4 (V8) and Infiniti G35x. Granted these cars are AWD, not RWD, but my old Celica All-Trac also had that heavy, well-planted feel of the Reiz so I’m guessing this may just be a characteristic of Toyota’s suspension tuning. Also, the steering was quite heavy at speed and didn’t have much road feel, which added to the overall heavy/numb feel of the car. Also, the throttle was stiff and touchy which makes the car less friendly for the S.O. to drive.
Finally, the exhaust droned intrusively even while cruising at moderate speeds (50-60 km/h).
So in the end, I ended up getting the Mondeo. Even though it is FWD and a bit larger, it feels a lot lighter and smaller. Yes, under heavy braking and tight cornering you won’t mistake it for a RWD. And the best engine we get over here is the 2.3L Duratec-HE and not the Volvo 2.5L I5 turbo. But as you know there’s a lot to like about the new Mondeo.
Over time I’m sure that I’ll find more faults with the Mondeo, and may even regret the decision, but I needed to make a choice and with the promotions being offered by Ford it was very hard to say ‘no’. Had the two vehicles been priced the same, the outcome could have been different. Both are excellent cars (and unmatched in their classes, IMHO) and as they say over here, it was a good ‘PK’.
Thanks again for answering my questions earlier, and I’d still like to see your Reiz the next time I’m in Shanghai.