After watching my review of the Perodua Alza, and you’re here to check out the Toyota Veloz, you may experience déjà vu. However, don’t worry, as Toyota has kindly provided me with a similarly colored Veloz to review. To provide some context, the Veloz and the Alza are siblings originating from the same production plant. Toyota has made some improvements to the Veloz to give it a more luxurious feel than the Alza. In this review, I will be taking a closer look at the Veloz to determine whether the additional RM20,000 cost is justified.
Spotting the differences between a Veloz and an Alza may not be easy at first glance. However, with careful observation, the distinctions become evident. The Veloz sports a more substantial grille and a unique front bumper design compared to the Alza, giving it a more refined and sophisticated appearance. Moreover, the Veloz’s distinct headlight design is another feature that sets it apart from the Alza, particularly noticeable during nighttime. 
At the back, the differences are more understated, though Toyota has shrewdly revamped the taillights on the Veloz, providing the MPV with a more distinct appearance during the night. The taillights now extend all the way to the Toyota emblem at the center, while the Alza’s tail lights only reach halfway. Aside from that, the back bumper and tailgate seem to have been produced from the same stamping mold. From a side view, it’s evident that the Veloz has a higher ground clearance compared to the Alza, with a 30mm boost due to the 17-inch rims and tires. This alteration gives the Veloz a more SUV-like look, as the wheels are wrapped in 205/50 R17 tires, which are one size bigger than those on the Alza. 
Inside the Veloz, it has a largely identical interior to that of the Alza, but Toyota has added some premium touches to make it a more pleasant place to be. Firstly, the color scheme has been changed to a cream color, which brightens up the cabin and makes it appear more spacious. Additionally, the passenger side of the dashboard has been adorned with a Veloz badge, serving as a reminder of the model’s identity. One of the most distinctive features of the interior is the blue ambient lighting that is present throughout the vehicle, adding to the luxurious atmosphere of the cabin. 
Although the infotainment system in the Veloz may resemble the one in the Alza, it was actually sourced from a different supplier, resulting in a more feature-rich display. Unlike the Alza, the Veloz’s infotainment screen offers wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, eliminating the need for wired connections. Toyota has also included a wireless charging pad to allow owners to charge their phones without connecting them to the infotainment system. Furthermore, the Veloz boasts a climate control system, which is more advanced than the basic AC system found in the Alza. 
Regarding the seats, the Veloz’s overall seat design is reminiscent of the Alza’s. However, the Veloz’s seats are made of leather and suede-like materials, making them both softer and more grippy than those found in the Alza. What truly distinguishes the Veloz from the Alza, though, is its driving position. Personally, I find the Veloz’s driving position to be much better thanks to the steering’s reach adjustment feature, which allows me to fit more comfortably into the vehicle. Additionally, due to the increase in ground clearance, the Veloz provides a more SUV-like driving experience compared to the Alza. Despite these differences, the other seats in the Veloz are quite similar to those found in the Alza, making the Veloz equally practical as its less expensive counterpart. 
Powering the Veloz and Alza are the same powertrain beneath their hoods. This consists of a 1.5L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine paired with a 7-speed Dual mode Continuous Variable Transmission (D-CVT). The powertrain’s performance figures are identical for both models, with a total output of 106 PS at 6,000 RPM and a total torque of 138 Nm at 4,200 RPM. 
In terms of driving feel, the Veloz offers a driving experience that is quite similar to that of the Alza. The engine is capable enough to provide sufficient power for city driving, and remains relatively quiet when not pushed to its limits. However, one downside is that the transmission tends to downshift when accelerating gradually, which can make driving smooth a little difficult. Additionally, as the engine revs increase, the noise level inside the cabin also goes up. To address this, I choose to leave the Eco mode on to signal to the powertrain that I’m not in a hurry and avoid any erratic downshifting.
The Veloz, equipped with bigger tires, boasts a superior level of grip when compared to the Alza, thereby making it more eager to navigate turns. This is also attributed to the steering wheel’s increased confidence-inspiring factor, as well as the DNGA platform. Although the heightened ground clearance enhances the MPV’s ability to handle Malaysian roads, it also results in more noticeable body roll due to a taller center of gravity. Nonetheless, the ride quality is comparable to that of the Alza, adept at cushioning the impact of uneven terrain while driving in a calm and composed manner. 
Similar to the Alza, the Veloz is equipped with rear disc brakes and electronic parking brakes. These brakes are suitable for the size of the vehicle, providing decent performance. In addition to the brakes, the Veloz comes equipped with numerous safety and driver assistance systems, making it an excellent choice for families. The safety systems include six airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist control, emergency brake signal, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and anti-lock braking system.
Meanwhile, the driver assistance system includes features such as pre-collision warning, pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention with steering assist, lane keeping control, front departure alert, adaptive driving beam, blind spot monitor, and pedal misoperation control. With this long list of features, the Veloz is a safe and reliable MPV for all your family’s transportation needs. 
Is the extra RM 20,000 justified for choosing the Veloz over the Alza? With the price tag of RM 95,000.00, I believe that the superior driving position of the Veloz alone makes it worth the additional expense. The proper driving position not only enhances the driving experience but also makes the vehicle more comfortable to be in. However, if this aspect is not of significant importance to you, both vehicles are likely to perform equally well.
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