2010 Toyota Axio Review
The Toyota Axio is a 5 seater saloon that was introduced to the Japanese market in 2007. It is the saloon version of the popular Toyota Fielder and is marketed as a small sized family car. It is a good alternative for people who prefer saloons and do not mind to sacrifice on boot space that comes with station wagons
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Detailed Review
The Toyota Axio is a 5 seater saloon that was introduced to the Japanese market in 2007. It is the saloon version of the popular Toyota Fielder and is marketed as a small sized family car. It is a good alternative for people who prefer saloons and do not mind to sacrifice on boot space that comes with station wagons. It is smaller in size and weight to the Toyota Fielder and thus it is more fuel efficient and maneuverable.
Technically, the year 2010 Toyota Axio it is the same as the year 2010 Toyota Fielder we reviewed and differences are mainly on the outside, so details will be highly similar.
Most Toyota Axios imported into Kenya are manufactured for the JDM(Japanese Domestic Market) but they do fit well into the local market- sometimes they may need minor modifications such as larger shocks and height spacers(Who don’t encourage height spacers-more on that later). The JDM vehicles that we import into Kenya are different in body size and engine as compared to same vehicles in other markets such as Europe, Asia, and Australia. It’s an important point to note when reading reviews done for those markets.
The Axio comes in 2 engine sizes: 1500cc and 1800cc with different configurations available for each. Based on engine size, the 1.5L is categorized in two grades; Toyota Axio X and Toyota Axio G. For the 1.8L, it comes in one grade known as the Toyota Axio Luxel. The Toyota Axio Luxel comes with more extras as compared to the Axio X such as rear spoiler, alloy wheels, navigation, and fog lights.
Below are the available configurations for the Toyota Axio:
1.5 Litre / FF/ Automatic or Manual / 1NZ-FE Engine / DBA-NZE 141G
1.5 Litre / 4WD/ Automatic / 1NZ-FE Engine / DBA-NZE 144G
1.8 Litre / FF/ Automatic / 2ZR-FE Engine/ DBA-ZRE 142G
1.8 Litre / 4WD/ Automatic / 2ZR-FE Engine/ DBA-ZRE 144G
*FF stands for Front Drive, Front Engine
Interior
Legroom & Space: Similar to the Fielder, the Axio has a minimalistic and functional interior which is in line with Toyota’s style of design. Surprisingly, we found the interior of the Axio roomier compared to the fielder, especially at the back. At the front, the driver’s seat is manually adjustable horizontally and vertically and can recline. The front passenger seat is only adjustable horizontally and can recline. The legroom at the front is good even for tall people. On the 2nd row, the outer seats have adequate legroom but the middle seat may not fit a tall person. The shoulder space at the back with 3 occupants is ok.
Cabin Storage: Glove Box, Center Box, Front Door Side Pockets, Seat Pockets
Boot Space: The boot space for the Toyota Axio is typical of a medium sized saloon vehicle. It can accommodate about 2 large suitcases with space to spare.
Extras: Double Din Stereo/Navigation, AC, Heater, Fog Lights, Spoiler
Exterior
The exterior of the Toyota Axio is pretty much simple and it doesn’t really stand out. It closely resembles the Toyota Belta with minor variations. When looking for a unit to buy, try to go for one with alloy rims as these really enhance its aesthetics.
Fuel Consumption
The Toyota Axio is a very fuel efficient car and it’s better than the Fielder due to its lower weight. The 1.5L is particularly impressive on fuel economy and we highly recommend it for people on a tight budget. Below are the fuel consumption numbers:
Toyota Axio 1500cc Fuel Consumption(Average): 18.2km/L
Toyota Axio 1800cc Fuel Consumption: 15.0km/L
Acceleration:
The 1500cc Toyota Axio accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.2 secs.
The 1800cc Toyota Axio accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.8 secs.
A common observation by many people is that the 1500cc Toyota Axio is sluggish on acceleration especially when coming off a standstill, this improves as the vehicle gains speed. While this may not bother some, others may find it annoying. In this case, go for the 1800cc Toyota Axio, it’s got a better kick and accelerates faster.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 Litres
Ground Clearance
The Toyota Axio has a ground clearance of 6.3 Inches 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 and other road obstacles. 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 and Maintenance Costs
Minor Service(Done after every 5000kms can be done by any reputable petrol station) – Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Engine Oil
Major Service(done after every 20,000kms has to be done by a competent garage)-Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads(If available), ATF Oil, Engine Oil, ATF Filter
Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
The Toyota Axio spare parts are readily available in all major towns in Kenya. Service parts and suspension parts are easily available, body parts may require time to look. The cost of Toyota Axio spares in Kenya is pocket friendly and with a monthly budget of Ksh.5,000/-, will cover maintenance costs. Used parts always require negotiations and prices can vary depending on how knowledgeable you are and where you buy them. In Nairobi, most spare shops in Industrial area and Kirinyaga road stock these spare parts.
Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.
The most common engine on the Toyota Axio is the 1NZ-FE(1.5L) has been in use on various Toyotas since 1999. It’s regarded as one of the most reliable Toyota Engines and can run for thousands of miles without problems. This is however dependent on regular maintenance, use of quality oils and genuine spares. Failure to do this can lead to
1. Excessive oil consumption
2. Engine Vibrations
3. Engine Knock
The second engine used in the Fielder is the 2ZR-FE (1.8L) which has been in use since 2007. Similar to the 1NZ, it is reliable, with proper maintenance. Below are the problems that might occur with this engine
1. Excessive oil consumption
2. Irregular idling
3. Engine Knock
The transmission and suspension for the Toyota Fielder do not have any major reliability issues reported
Resale Value: Good
Comparable Cars: Toyota Belta, Mitsubishi Lancer
Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: Ksh. 750,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Ksh. 30,000/- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/-
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 20,000/- for 4 Tyres
See Latest Toyota Axio Prices here
Conclusion
The Toyota Axio is an excellent car that is best suited for single people and small sized families. It is also popular with businesspeople due to its good fuel economy and cheap maintenance costs. When buying locally used units, ensure the vehicle has been well maintained. Avoid cars that have been used as Taxis or car hire as most are poorly maintained and are high mileage. Overall, we highly recommend the Toyota Axio especially for people who value reliability and fuel economy.
What we like about the 2010 Toyota Axio:
Excellent fuel consumption
Affordable spare parts
What we don’t
Sluggish acceleration on the 1.5L Axio
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