2010 Toyota Wish Review
The Toyota Wish is a 7-seater van(or station wagon depending on how you look at it) that was first introduced to the Japanese market in 2003. In Kenya, It enjoys wild popularity due to its versatility and adaptability for both commercial and private applications.
Detailed Review
With engine options of either 1.8L or 2.0L, the Toyota Wish balances both power and economy in one package, which greatly enhances its appeal. The exterior design is a cross between a van and a station wagon and is hard to distinguish it as either, but technically its classified as a small sized van(MPV).
The 2010 Toyota Wish falls in the second generation that entered the market in 2009. On the outside, there are no major changes over the previous generation except for a sharper look and a slight increase in length. Underneath however, there are major changes to the engine and transmission. Two engine variants were introduced, the 1.8L 2ZR-FAE and the 2.0L 3ZR-FAE both mated to a 7 Speed CVT transmission. These changes brought significant improvements on fuel efficiency, performance, handling, and refinement.
There are 4 sub-models (grades) of the Toyota Wish: Toyota Wish Model S, Toyota Wish Model G, Toyota Wish Model X and Toyota Wish Model Z.
Interior
Legroom & Space: The 2010 Toyota Wish is a really spacious car and can accommodate 7 passengers in relative comfort. There is a significant increase in space and legroom over the previous model. Through clever design, Toyota eliminated the transmission tunnel that usually intrudes on the 2nd row seats on many cars. At the front, the driver’s seat is set at an elevated position that affords the driver a commanding view of the road. The 2nd row legroom is good, even the middle seat can comfortably seat an adult and this is because of the flat floor. The 3rd row seats have ample legroom and they are actually among the best we’ve seen in cars of this category. The headroom is good with a high roof and even tall people will find it comfortable. On the inside, the 2010 Toyota Wish has the feel of a van.
Cabin Storage: The 1st row seats has lots of storage space, these are: 2 cupholders on the centerbox, 1 slide-in cupholder on the dash, center storage tray, glove box, and door jacket pockets with bottle-holders. The 2nd row seats: seat pocket storage, I bottle-holder. 3rd seats: Side jacket pockets ideal for small sized items
Boot Space
The Toyota Wish has a big boot space that makes it a remarkably practical car. Even in the 7 seater configuration, the boot space is comparable to that of a hatchback such as Subaru Impreza. That means, with 7 passengers seated, it can still carry sizeable luggage, a capacity that most 7 seaters lack. In the 5 seater configuration, the 3rd row seats fold neatly into the floor creating a large boot space capable of carrying lots of luggage. In the 2 seater configuration, the 2nd row seats are folded and slid forward to transform the Wish to a true cargo van.
Other Extras: Double Din Stereo, Navigation, AC, Heater, Fog Lights, Roof Rails
Exterior
The redesigned headlights and taillights give the 2010 Toyota Wish a very sleek and sporty look as compared to the previous model. On the exterior, it comes with the following extras: Alloy rims, fog lights, spoiler, and roof rails
Fuel Consumption
2010 Toyota Wish 1800cc Fuel Consumption: 16.0 km/L
2010 Toyota Wish 2000cc Fuel Consumption: 15.2km/L
Acceleration
The 1800cc Toyota Wish 2010 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 11.3 secs.
The 2000cc Toyota Wish 2010 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.8 secs.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 Litres
Ground Clearance
The 2010 Toyota Wish has a ground clearance of 6.1 Inches when unmodified. This is considerably low especially when fully loaded and may not clear some speed bumps. When the car is shipped from Japan, it is necessary that the vehicle is modified 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 = Total
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 = Total
Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
The beauty of driving a Toyota in Kenya is that spares are cheap and readily available. This is especially true for the Toyota Wish. Service parts and suspension parts are easily available, certain body parts such as headlamps may require time to look. A monthly budget of Ksh.5,000/- should cover maintenance costs(This is for non-commercial cars). Used parts generally require negotiations and their 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. You can get listings for these shops here
Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability 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 2010 Toyota Wish comes with 2 engines variants: The 2ZR-FAE(1.8L) and the 3ZR-FAE(2.0L)
The ZR engines have been around since 2007 and are used in many Toyotas and are widely regarded as reliable engines. However as with all engines, failures do occur. Below are the major recurrent issues reported on the ZR engine
1. Excessive oil consumption- This is caused by use of wrong engine oil. Switching to the right oil usually resolves the problem.
2. Engine Vibrations – This problem is reported on high mileage vehicles(above 70,000km). Check the throttle body and also the water pump. Replace as necessary
3. Engine Knock – Due to wear and tear on the timing tensioner. Replace as necessary
Resale Value: Good
Comparable Cars: Subaru Exiga, Honda Stream, Mazda Premacy
Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: Between Ksh. 850,000
Comprehensive Insurance: Approx. Ksh. 34,000/- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/-
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 40,000/- for 4 Tyres
See Latest Toyota Wish Prices here
What we like about the 2010 Toyota Wish:
The 7-Speed CVT gearbox accelerates the vehicle very smoothly
Affordable spare parts
Good Resale Value
Good passenger and cargo capacity
A multi-role vehicle
What we don’t
Low ground clearance
Conclusion
The 2010 Toyota Wish is a practical car that can serve both as a family car and a commercial car. It is fuel efficient, cheap to maintain, spacious and stylish. If you are looking to buy the 2010 Toyota wish, we highly recommend it, especially if you have a large family or you want to use it for business.
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