My Daily Driver: The Toyota Vios XP150
My Daily Driver: The Toyota Vios XP150 and Lessons from Years on the Road
Let’s talk about my current daily driver, the Toyota Vios 3rd Generation XP150, released in 2013. This model came with four trim levels: J, E, G, and S, and mine’s the E variant Manual Transmission, powered by Toyota’s reliable 2NZ-FE engine. Known for its durability, this engine even made history as one of the first used in the Toyota Vios Cup. Toyota’s reputation for reliability shines through in this Vios.
I’m not the type to own a collection of cars. Besides this Vios, I’ve had a couple of old Mitsubishi Lancers (which I’ll share more about soon) and a Nissan Sentra GX—my trusty companion since college, which I had to give up for this car. When I bought the Vios, I prioritized three main things: price, reliability, and parts availability. The Vios checked all these boxes and has proven to be an ideal everyday car.
Since buying it second-hand, I’ve focused on keeping it in top shape. I’ve done an oil change, a coolant dialysis, replaced a few suspension components, and added ROTA Grid rims (a TE37-inspired design) wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE004 tires. Special mention to Staging Lines, Ubec Mags, and Greasy Ape for their support on this project. For the future, I have some upgrades planned: coilovers, some tuning adjustments, and maybe even a 1.5L engine swap with a turbo kit.
Driving this Vios has reinforced a few key lessons: simplicity works, maintenance is everything, and reliability is a must. These lessons continue to shape my car choices, and I’m excited to share more of my journey. What about you—what’s your car story? What’s your daily driver?
Special Thanks to:
Photos by: James Morales Jr / JM Media
Words / Article by: James Morales Jr.
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