Compact cars have been the popular choice for many Filipino car buyers. They’re not too big like full-size sedans and they’re not too small like their subcompact siblings. Compact cars also make for ideal daily drivers as they tend to offer the perfect blend of power and efficiency.

Two of today’s most desired models are the Kia Soluto and the Toyota Vios. Want to know which of these compact sedans make for a better choice? Join us to find out.

Exterior

	Kia Soluto	Toyota Vios
Dimensions (L x W x H mm)	4,300 x 1,700 x 1,460	4,425 x 1,730 x 1,475
Wheelbase (mm)	2,570	2,550
Ground clearance (mm)	150	140

The Toyota Vios offers a slightly larger body (even larger with the dressed-up Gazoo model) which translates to moderately better interior space. However, the Kia Soluto offers a slightly longer wheelbase which, on the other hand, means you get marginally better ride quality.

With both cars standing neck and neck, we’ll call this round a tie.

Interior

Inside, the Kia Soluto comes with a standard instrument cluster with a digital trip meter and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, and Android Auto compatibility across the board. Depending on the variant though, you can have it with either a three-spoke leather steering wheel and leatherette seats or with a three-spoke polyurethane steering wheel with cloth seats.

It’s pretty much the same with the Toyota Vios. Depending on the variant, you can have a urethane steering wheel and a urethane shift knob or a leather steering wheel and a leather shift knob. Seats are fabric across the board with the exception of the range-topping GR-S variant. Depending on the variant still is its infotainment system which can either be a 2-DIN audio unit or a 6.5-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

With both cars offering similar interior options, this round will be a tie.

Engine

All of the Kia Soluto’s variants are powered by a 1.4-liter engine which can be mated to a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Kia’s powertrain setup gives the Soluto 94 horses and 132Nm of torque.

Toyota offers more engine options by fitting either a 1.3-liter engine or a beefier 1.5-liter powerplant in the Vios. Available transmission options include a five-speed manual and a CVT. The 1.3-liter variants make a respectable 98hp while the larger 1.5-liter engines make 105hp.

With more powerful engines under the hood, this round is a clear win for the Toyota Vios.

Safety

The range-topping models of the Kia Soluto come with driving nannies such as a rear camera with static guidelines and rear parking distance warning sensors. It also comes with a set of airbags at the front, an array of seatbelts front and back, ABS, and an immobilizer.

Not to be outdone, Toyota equips the top-of-the-line Vios with a back monitor, clearance sonars, seven airbags (driver/passenger, side, curtain shield, and knee), vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, ABS with EBD, and a slew of seatbelts front and back.

Thanks to better safety features, we’re giving this round to the Toyota Vios.

Pricing and variants

Kia Soluto

Soluto LX MT – P740,000
Soluto LX AT – P785,000
Soluto EX MT – P785,000
Soluto EX AT – P830,000

Toyota Vios

Vios 1.3 Base MT – P681,000
Vios 1.3 J MT – P707,000
Vios 1.3 XE CVT – P753,000
Vios 1.3 XLE MT – P801,000
Vios 1.3 XLE CVT – P851,000
Vios 1.3 E MT – P851,000
Vios 1.3 E CVT – P901,000
Vios 1.5 G MT – P911,000
Vios 1.5 G CVT – P970,000

Verdict

The Toyota Vios emerges as the victor among the two compact cars. With better engine options and — of course — safety features, there’s no denying that the Vios makes for an appealing option for many car buyers.

Photos from Kia and Toyota

Also read: 

Surveying the interior of the Kia Soluto 

Toyota makes GR parts and accessories available for Vios and Yaris in Malaysia

Your guide to the different variants of the Kia Soluto