2015 Toyota Passo Review

Detailed Review

The Toyota Passo has been in production since 2004 and has been developed in 3 generations. The first generation Passo known as the M300 was in production from 2004 to 2010. The second generation known as the M600 was in production from 2010 to 2016 and the third generation known as the M700 has been in production from 2016 to the Present.

The 2015 Toyota Passo comes with 2 engine options. These are the 1.0 Litre 1KR-FE engine and the 1.3 Litre 1NR-FE engine.

2015 Toyota Passo Grades

1. Toyota Passo 1.0X V Package – This is a very basic grade that comes with the 1.0 Litre engine, Key start, manual AC, No Radio or CD Player, Manual Mirrors, and 13-Inch steel rims without covers.
2. Toyota Passo 1.0X  – This is similar to the V Package but with Radio/CD Player and 13-Inch steel rims with plastic covers, and an electric mirror.
3. Toyota Passo 1.3G L Package – This grade comes with the 1.3 Litre engine, smart start, keyless entry, rear wiper, automatic AC, Radio/CD player, shoe rack under the driver’s seat and 13-Inch steel rims with covers.
4. Toyota Passo 1.3G – This is similar to the L Package but with 14-Inch steel rims with covers
5. Toyota Passo 1.0 + Hana C Package – The Hana grades come with more feminine colors such as pink, maroon, Red etc. This grade comes with the 1.0 Litre engine, Mirror Blinkers, 13-Inch steel rims with covers, Keystart, rear wiper, fog lights, No Radio/CD player and manual AC.
6. Toyota Passo 1.0 + Hana – This grade is similar to the C Package but with Radio/CD Player, 14-Inch steel rims with covers,  automatic AC and a shoe rack under the driver’s seat.
7. Toyota Passo 1.3 + Hana – This is the luxury grade that comes with the 1.3 Litre engine,  smart start, keyless entry, automatic AC, Radio/CD player and 14-Inch alloy rims.

 

Interior
Legroom & Space

The 2015 Toyota Passo comes with few options of interior color. It has two shades of brown, with a lighter shade of fabric on the seats. The dashboard is two-toned and looks contemporary yet simple. In terms of legroom, a driver of average height will find it sufficient while a tall driver will find it small. For passengers, the legroom is adequate for short distances but can be restrictive at long distances.

Cabin Storage

In the first row, there are 2 cup-holders, door panel storage, a glovebox, a center box, an armrest compartment, and storage racks beneath the front seats. For the second row, there are 2 cup holders and front seat jacket pockets.

2015 Toyota Passo Boot Space

The boot is fairly spacious and can carry sizable luggage. When extra space is required, the rear seats can fold flat in a split configuration.

Exterior

The 2015 Toyota Passo exterior is more attractive than previous models. The earlier models were visually dull; however, the facelift’s on the front bumper and headlights made you want to take a second look. The rear all-LED taillights are a remarkable sight at night, with each of the 24 LED bulbs flashing brightly and giving the vehicle an upscale appearance. Overall, the car strikes a balance between the boxy appearance of the WagonR and the bubble shape of the Toyota Vitz.

2015 Toyota Passo Fuel Consumption

2015 Toyota Passo 1.0L Consumes 27.6 km/L
2015 Toyota Passo 1.3L Consumes 21.0km/L

2015 Toyota Passo Acceleration

2015 Toyota Passo 1.0L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 13.8 secs
2015 Toyota Passo 1.3L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.5 secs

2015 Toyota Passo Ground Clearance

The 2015 Toyota Passo has a ground clearance of 6.3 Inches (160mm) which is a few inches shy of the minimum recommended clearance of 6.5 Inches for Kenyan roads. It may be necessary to modify the ground clearance to adjust the car to Kenyan roads. Read our guidelines here on how to safely increase a vehicle’s ground clearance.

2015 Toyota Passo Stability and Handling

The suspension of the 2015 Toyota Passo has been optimized for a secure and steady driving experience. Both the front and rear suspensions of vehicles with front-wheel drive have been equipped with stabilizers to reduce vehicle roll and increase handling stability. Large-diameter cylinders and rods have been included in the front suspension shock absorbers to increase rigidity, resulting in more stable handling and less friction for an enhanced driving experience. Enhanced torsional rigidity in the rear suspension torsion beams of front-wheel-drive vehicles also contributes to enhanced handling stability.

The wheelbase has been lengthened, the tires have been enlarged, and the front wheels’ maximum steering angle has been maximized. Collectively, these characteristics allow the Passo to achieve a tight turning circle of only 9.2 meters in diameter.

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 Availability, Cost & Where to buy
Service parts for Toyota Passo are affordable and widely available in Kenya. Body parts are also affordable but can be difficult to find outside of Nairobi. Most spare shops in Industrial Area and Kirinyaga Road stock these parts. You can get listings for these shops in this link.

Resale Value: Good

Toyota Passo Competitors: Mazda Verisa, Nissan March and Suzuki Swift

Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price:  Starting from Ksh.900,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 38,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If necessary) Ksh. 16,000/- for 4 Tyres
See latest Toyota Passo prices here

What we like about the 2015 Toyota Passo
1. Good fuel economy
2. Modern interior

What we don’t
1. Average exterior design

Conclusion                   

The 2015 Toyota Paaso’s refinement makes it one of the best city cars money can buy in today’s market. The Passo is a compelling choice to consider due to its Decent performance, great fuel economy, spacious interior, and good-looking exterior along with necessary safety features.

Where to Buy the 2015 Toyota Passo in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the Toyota Passo 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.

Also Read: 2014 Toyota Passo Review