2013 Toyota Allion Review
The Toyota Allion replaced the Toyota Carina to the disappointment of many fans who loved the Carina’s sporty appeal. Over time, the Allion’s elegant design and practicality has slowly won them over. It also has an upper hand in the Kenyan market compared to its competitors thanks to its low maintance costs and availability of spare parts. It competes with the Mazda Atenza, Nissan Sylphy, VW Passat, Audi A4, Subaru Legacy and Mercedes C180.
Detailed Review
The Toyota Allion was introduced to the market in 2001 together with the Toyota Premio. They are technically the same with differences being in body styling and interior. The Toyota Premio is marketed as a luxurious, upscale saloon whilst the Allion is marketed as a sporty, no frills saloon. The Allion is more maneuverable and responsive than the Premio due to lower body weight.
Highlights
- Good fuel economy
- Sporty design
- Comfortable interior
- Luxurious finish
- Superb handling
Engine Specs
The 2013 Toyota Allion T260 is available with 3 engine variants: The 1.5Litre 1NZ engine, the 1.8Litre 2ZR engine and the 2.0Litre 3ZR engine. All are mated to an automatic CVT transmission. The Allion is available in 2WD and 4WD options. The 4WD option only comes with the 1.8L engine.
2013 Toyota Allion Grades
- The Toyota Allion A15: This is the base level grade that comes with the 1.5 Litre 1NZ-FE engine, CVT Transmission and 2WD.
- The Toyota Allion A18: This comes with the 1.8 Litre 2ZR-FE engine, CVT Transmission, 2WD/4WD options.
- The Toyota Allion A20: This is the premium grade version that comes with the 2.0 Litre 3ZR-FAE engine, CVT Transmission and 2WD. Its got many other extras such as Alloy Rims as standard, fog lights, navigation, and a sunroof option.
Interior & Exterior
The dashboard is made of a synthetic leather like material with wood finished plastic while the dials are simple and easy to read. The seats are well padded and made of soft fabric with good legroom on both rows.
The exterior is sporty and targeted towards a younger and upscale market but buyers of all ages find it appealing. The sharp LED headlights and optional alloy rims enhance this aggressive sporty look.
Cabin Storage
There are storage compartments throughout the car including 4 cupholders, a storage shelf below the dashboard, a glovebox and the center box. For the 2nd row, the only storage is the seat jacket pockets for keeping things like phones, books and other small items.
2013 Toyota Allion Boot Space
The boot space for the 2013 Toyota Allion is typical of any saloon car. The boot can carry medium sized luggage such as suitcases and groceries. The rear seats are foldable to create extra space. However, it cannot carry bulky or oversized luggage that station wagons would typically carry.
Other Extras: Double Din Stereo, Navigation(Optional), Reverse Camera, Auto Headlamps, Keyless Entry
2013 Toyota Allion Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 Litres
Fuel Economy
Generally, Toyotas are known for their fuel economy. The 2013 Toyota Allion is no exception. It runs on a Valvematic engine improving fuel consumption significantly compared to previous models.
2013 Toyota Allion A15 Fuel Consumption: 18.6 km/L (On Average)
2013 Toyota Allion A18 Fuel Consumption Fuel Consumption: 17.0 km/L (On Average)
2013 Toyota Allion A20 Fuel Consumption Fuel Consumption: 15.6 km/L (On Average)
Handling
The 2013 Toyota Allion handles fairly well and feels stable under normal driving conditions. However aggressive cornering is not advisable especially at high speed.
2013 Toyota Allion Acceleration
2013 Toyota Allion A15 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.5 secs.
2013 Toyota Allion A18 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.7 secs.
2013 Toyota Allion A20 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.4 secs.
2013 Toyota Allion Ground Clearance
The Toyota Allion has a ground clearance of 6.4Inches(165mm) when unmodified. This height may not be a problem if the vehicle is lightly loaded. However, when fully loaded the vehicle may not clear some speed bumps on Kenyan roads. In this case, you many need to increase ground clearance. Read our guidelines here on how to safely increase a vehicle’s ground clearance.
Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil
Spare parts are relatively cheap and readily available in the market. In Nairobi, most spare shops in Industrial area and Kirinyaga road stock these spare parts. You can get listings for these shops here follow this link.
Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: From Ksh. 1,250,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 50,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 20,000/- for 4 Tyres
See Toyota Allion Latest Prices here
Resale Value: Good
Toyota Allion Competitors: Mazda Atenza, Nissan Sylphy, VW Passat, Audi A4, Subaru Legacy and Mercedes C180.
What We Like
- Beautiful exterior and interior
- Comfortable cabin
- Ample space
- Great fuel consumption
What We Don’t
- Unstable at high speed
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that the 2013 Toyota Allion is a beautiful car. It handles well and is very reliable. Additionally, it holds its value well in the Kenyan market compared to its competitors. It’s a great purchase if you’re looking for an affordable and yet comfortable family car.
Where to Buy the 2013 Toyota Allion in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the Toyota Allion locally, we can help you with this process. Over the years, we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and Japan who supply us with exceptional cars. Simply call us or send us a message through our contacts below and we’ll get you the right car at the right price.
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