"It became a runable aqua" Motor journalists were surprised by the dramatic evolution beyond the size

Toyota's new "Aqua" has undergone a full model change for the first time in 10 years. The TNGA (GA-B) platform has been adopted to improve basic performance, along with the newly developed "bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery" and the adoption of a parking assist function.

Tatsuya Kushima and Yuan Imai, motor journalists, took a test ride to test the true value of the new Aqua, which advocated classlessness. We talked about its charm.

The new Aqua has a proper "drive feel"

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Imai: The most surprising part of riding the new Aqua was the driving part. Until now, the Aqua has been an image of a car that specializes in fuel efficiency, but the driving performance has evolved dramatically. The steering is crisp and the legs feel solid. It doesn't feel like it's "hard!"

Kushima: Exactly. I like the thin diameter of the steering wheel. Recent trends tend to make it thicker, but the diameter is carefully thought out so that the steering feel can be properly conveyed, without being swept away by trends. It's very comfortable to hold, and it handles better.

Imai: You really get the sense that you were particular about running. It's evolved so overwhelmingly that it's fun to run normally.

Kushima: By using TNGA, the body is solid, and the legs are softer, so the stroke is good and the ride is comfortable. It's just going in the right direction. Personally, I think that until now, the operation system of Aqua has been a switch-like feeling, and it was a business feeling like "If you turn the steering wheel to the right, it will turn right, that's it." But the new Aqua has a proper drive feel.

Imai: In a sense, it has become a European car flavor.

Kushima: Yes. I think it's amazing that in this class, at this price, you can get what you could only get in a European compact car until now.

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Imai: Since TNGA, Toyota cars have dramatically improved in terms of driving. It has come to express the Toyota-like enjoyment that makes driving fun. The "dialogue with the car" that President Akio Toyoda often says can be felt firmly in Aqua. That's what surprised even us car lovers.

Kushima: The new Aqua will have FF (2WD) and 4WD. Each has a different rear suspension type, and the FF (2WD) has a torsion bar, so the rear bounces a little in places, but the good parts of the road surface are really smooth. Considering the price, I think it's okay.

Imai: Really smooth! When I asked the developer, he said that this torsion bar was finished to the point that he could be proud that it was the top class in the world. Furthermore, with 4WD, you can drive more smoothly with a multi-link system.

Kushima: 4WD is "E-Four".

Imai: The long-awaited "E-Four"! In many ways, I think it's a car that satisfies all users in Japan.

Spacious space leads to texture

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Kushima: The texture of the interior has improved a lot. And the cabin is spacious. If you sit in the driver's seat and drive normally, you will feel like you are in a larger class car. It's nice that the visibility is wide and the inside of the car is bright even though it's a short car.

Imai: Even in the passenger seat, I feel comfortable. Kushima-san is tall, so I think he often feels cramped in a compact car, but that's true even when you're looking from the passenger seat.

Kushima: I see. Visually, it looks cramped.

Imai: Yes. However, with the new Aqua, you can visually feel that a large person is relaxed even when sitting in the driver's seat. What was even more amazing was that Mr. Kushima was in a relatively relaxed driving position, but even when he was sitting in the back seat, there was a space about two fists in front of my knees. . This was a real surprise.

Even with Mr. Kushima's tall driving position, there is plenty of leg room in the back seat.

Imai: In terms of the official announcement, the wheelbase is only 50mm longer (compared to the previous model), and 20mm in front of the knees, but I wonder if that's how much room is created. The shape of the back of the front seat is largely gouged out, which is also connected to the room around the knees. I think it was designed with a lot of thought.

Kushima: The front seats have a good couple distance, so that's also a factor that makes you feel like you're in a bigger car. The center console box is solid and the height is just right. I think that kind of leeway is connected to the texture.

Imai: For the center console box and dashboard, instead of using plastic, soft pads are used. You can.

Kushima: It's the same with the exterior design, and in a sense it's a legitimate evolution, but when you look at the details, it evolves to the extreme. It looks authentic at first glance, but it uses a lot of very dramatic lines that look like it's running up behind you.

Imai: There is a kindness that blends into the city. I feel that the gentle atmosphere expressed by the name "Aqua" is properly reflected in the design without destroying the image of the market and the consumer mindset that hybrid = good for the environment.

It's not only easy on your wallet, but it's also time-saving

Evolved hybrid system with a bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery

Kushima: Speaking of hybrids, the new Aqua has a completely different battery. It feels like it's getting smaller and the output is doubled, right?

Imai: It's a "bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery." I'm a bipolar fan!

Kushima: That's right (laughs)

Imai: It feels like the motor driving range has increased a lot. That's why it runs very quietly and smoothly, and that's also connected to the pedal feel. I think it makes a lot of sense to choose a nickel battery because it's an aqua that runs briskly around town, so it's easy to put in and take out energy. I think that it means that the battery is also evolving properly with the right person in the right place.

Kushima: After all, it's an aqua, so fuel efficiency is also very good. The test drive this time is a "Z" grade FF (2WD), so the WLTC mode fuel efficiency is 33.6km / L. In addition, the range that can be driven by the motor is also large, so if you use it for everyday shopping or picking up your family, you will hardly use gasoline.

Imai: Not only is it easier on your wallet, but it also saves time because you don't have to go to a gas station. I think it's a very happy point for housewives and busy people.

Kaikan Pedal, which is kind to everyone on board

Yuan Imai

Kushima: Speaking of hybrids, it's called "Kaikan Pedal", but the name is amazing.

Imai: (Laughs) The name certainly has an impact, but I think that Toyota has its own theory, or rather, it's created by looking at the driver properly. You can accelerate and decelerate as an extension of natural pedal operation without making sudden movements.

Kushima: Yes, natural and smooth. Toyota clearly expresses the driving characteristics of a hybrid vehicle, but it is not unsatisfactory compared to an engine vehicle. You can feel the deceleration firmly, and you can hardly feel the discomfort when changing from an engine car.

Imai: It is possible to operate the pedals smoothly because the energy can be properly recovered without sudden regeneration. As a result, it's a ride that's friendly to everyone on board...

Kushima: Sounds like Toyota.

Imai: That's right. It seems that they are making cars by looking at the faces of everyone who rides properly. Of course, I think it's only natural for an automaker to create a driver-conscious car, but I think it's the Toyota of today that has a clear direction of "Let's all come to love cars."

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Kushima: When it comes to hybrid and electric vehicles, we tend to jump on the image of "Electric torque from the beginning!", but that is no longer the case.

Imai: Japanese people like new things. But instead of doing that, I think it's great that you're thinking about the ultimate usability.

Kushima: That's right. When the drive feel comes out so much and you can feel the fun of driving, I also want the driver's driving manners to improve. I think there was a place where the driving became rough with the switch-like driving of the previous generation. However, if you have a solid drive feel like a pleasure pedal and you enjoy driving, your manners will improve. Everyone around you can be happy. If more people feel the joy of turning the steering wheel slowly, I think the traffic environment will change.

Imai: After all, it's a car that many people drive. I think that if there is more dialogue with cars in this way, things will naturally change.

Advanced safety equipment is also classless

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Imai: In that sense, the point is that the new Aqua is fully equipped with advanced safety equipment. Isn't it? Toyota Safety Sense is standard on all models. ACC (adaptive cruise control) is now compatible with all vehicle speeds.

Kushima: ACC (adaptive cruise control) has become very easy to use. Depending on the car, the acceleration and deceleration may be quite sudden, but the new Aqua is very natural to re-accelerate.

Imai: Even though it's a small car, it's capable of sensing properly. Not only does it keep up with the car in front, but it also makes it feel like someone who is good at braking and accelerating.

Kushima: It's good that long drives don't bother you. You can drive comfortably with ACC (adaptive cruise control) on high speeds to hot springs, and enjoy handling with pleasure pedals on mountain roads.

Imai: You can play an active part in multiplayer. And the parking assist function "Advanced Park" is already "God"!

Kushima: God (laughs)

Motor journalists Tatsuya Kushima and Yuan Imai

Imai: It's easy to use and accurate. Especially parallel parking. Even in places where I can't stop or leave on my own, the new Aqua will do it with just a button operation. If everyone uses this function, I think there will be no accidents caused by missteps when parking. If you can leave the parking to the car, even people who are not good at driving can relax.

Kushima: That's right.

Imai: I think so. For example, if you put a child or grandchild in the car and say, "Yes, I'll cast a spell on you," and automatically park the car, they'll surely be happy. When I saw the steering wheel spinning on its own, I was like, "I like my old man's car because it's fun!" The guidance is easy to understand with a single button, and it is a god because it displays both voice and text in an easy-to-understand manner.

Kushima: It's amazing that a compact car in this price range has so many advanced equipment. It's not fancy to say that we aimed to be classless.

Driving quality that makes you want to look forward to the GR

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Kushima: In the midst of the SUV boom, such a high-quality compact car is released as a Japanese exclusive car , It is as expected that it properly responds to the needs of many Japanese users.

Imai: I want to ride by myself! That's what I mean, but at this price, with this much equipment to protect the driver and passengers, and with a 4WD, I can recommend it to many people. I can confidently recommend it as a car to buy for my parents.

Kushima: I think it's a great choice as a second car.

Imai: But it's comfortable and fun not only for normal city driving, but also for long distances, so you may feel like you've become the first car before you know it.

Kushima: It's possible.

Imai: When it comes to a car that you can enjoy this much, you want a "GR" version. It may be just a car lover's nonsense, but...

Kushima: No, no, I have to say that as a motor journalist. With Toyota's current line-up, it wouldn't be a non-existent story.

Toyota Aqua Z 2WD (clear beige metallic)

Imai: The previous generation Aqua also had "G's" and "GR Sports", which was really good. I think compact cars have always lagged behind European cars in terms of driving.

Kushima: You've made quite a comeback.

Imai: Far from recovering, it has good fuel economy, good looks, good driving, good comfort, and good price. I don't think it's strange that automakers are already using this new Aqua as a benchmark.

Kushima: What makes me want to look forward to "GR" is that the basic skeleton has become TNGA and the texture has greatly improved. If the skeleton is good, tuning will make it even better.

Imai: I became an aqua that can run.

Kushima: Yes, Aqua can run. Personally, I think it's fashionable to ride in an adult and chic way.

Toyota Aqua Click here for details Motor Journalist Tatsuya Kushima and Yuan Imai

​​[Profile] Tatsuya Kushima | Motor Journalist After a foreign-affiliated advertising company, he entered the automobile magazine industry. After working as the deputy editor of "Car EX" (published by Sekaibunkasha) and "American SUV" (published by Ai Publishing), he became a freelancer. After that, he also worked as a deputy editor of the men's magazine LEON (published by Shufu to Seikatsusha). Currently writes columns in fields such as fashion, travel, and surfing, focusing on motor journalist activities. He is also involved in various products as a creative producer. His hobbies are surfing and golf "surf & turf". Born in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo.

Yuan Imai｜Motor Journalist Race Queen, After working for an advertising agency, turned to a car journalist. While contributing to the web and automotive magazines, she also has the title of motor sports MC, and she also serves as MC at circuits, various races, and car events. Member of AJAJ (Automobile Journalists Association of Japan).