We drove the Toyota 160i RX at the launch of the RunX range in January this year and were impressed with its build quality and the level of specification offered. Now, after driving Toyota’s South African Car of the Year finalist for a week we see no reason to change our minds. This is a Japanese car built in South Africa, but one which feels classically German to drive. And, in case you’re wondering, that’s a compliment.
The Toyota 160i RX comes with dual front airbags, air conditioning, electric windows and side mirrors, a CD front-loader, power-steering, leather upholstery, front foglights, a height adjustable driver’s seat, alloy wheels and disc brakes with ABS and EBD. While lots of cheaper cars come with most or all of those luxuries and safety measures, very few come with the whole package in such a classy feeling package. Earlier Corollas and vehicles based upon them were superbly engineered but felt like budget cars. The new RunX range really oozes class.
In terms of performance the test car was a little less laudable. It went well enough for a car of this size with a 1 598cc engine if revved, but felt rather sluggish if the gearlever wasn’t used frequently. The 0-100kph dash takes just over 11 seconds, and top speed is a shade under 190km/hr so on paper it’s a respectable performer but the car doesn’t feel as lively as that to drive around town. As a long distance cruiser it was great, however, loping along without feeling too fussed.
We’d love to see this car with a gutsy two-litre engine that pulls from low down – something like 112kW of power and 240Nm of torque instead of the 81/146 now available would turn it into a real driver’s car as well as sensible family transport. There is the 140 kW RSi version, of course, but that’s a little too peaky to make it a car that can be discretely enjoyed on public roads. Handling is excellent and braking on the 160i RX is about as good as you’re ever going to need away from the race track.
Overall we’d rate the Toyota RunX 160i RX as a very good buy for the R171 180 price tag. There’s tons of interior space and the car looks sexier than the Corolla, which does however offer a bigger boot for those who need it. It comes with a 3 year / 100 000 km warranty and a 5 year / 90 000 km service plan.