It's a good thing that the new Toyota Vios has an integrated audio system that is attractive to look at and easy to use because you may want to turn up the volume when driving fast.

Four years after Toyota introduced the Thai-made compact sedan, a new-generation Vios has arrived, with slicker exterior styling and significantly more cabin space, thanks to a wheelbase that is 50mm longer.

The interior now looks like the one in the Yaris hatchback, with the same trendy dashboard and centre console design, as well as better quality plastics than the previous Vios. Even the leather on the gear shift knob feels upmarket.

Especially cool is the perspex-like panel for the radio and CD player because of the hip contrast to the grey resin.

And unlike other audio sets on the market with their complicated, unfathomable buttons, the one in the Vios has clearly marked controls.

It also has an auxiliary input for an MP3 device and for the top-of-the-line model, steering-mounted controls.

These come in handy when you are flooring the pedal but still want to hear those lyrics. The Vios has the same 1.5-litre engine from the earlier car and it gets noisy from above 4,000 rpm. But the four-cylinder unit with variable valve timing is amazingly frugal despite having a body that is more than 100 kg heavier.

Even after pushing it hard, it still returns more than 11 km to the litre (the manufacturer cites an average of 13 km per litre).

And it is very responsive, thanks to the gearing of the four-speed automatic. The Vios has lively performance and good handling, although the steering could be less numbed.

The seats are also much improved from the previous Vios, with better support. But unless you're vertically challenged, the driving position is unlikely to be perfect.

From the outside, two of the most significant changes are the turn indicator in the door mirror housing and the bigger 15-inch alloy wheels (up from 14 inches previously). Under the sheet metal, one big difference is the brake system. While the old car had rear disc brakes, the new one has rear drums.

There are also three model grades, from two previously.

The J is new and is the entry-level model with a single airbag, while the E remains the most popular version with its good mix of features.

But the high-end G is really the one to have. There are optitron backlit metres and a multi-information display, with readouts for the average consumption and speed, current consumption, range and cumulative travel distance.

The steering wheel also has the aforementioned volume and station preset switches, as well as a mode button, while the folding rear seatback can be split 60/40 (it is fixed in the J and E versions).

The old Vios was Singapore's third most popular model before slipping to No 4 last year. Prices have risen by more than $5,000 but the new one should be able to regain its top three position.

After all, it is better looking, better built and still offers that familiar Toyota promise of value-for-money and reliability.

Engine: 1,497cc
Gearbox: 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission
Max power: 107 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 141 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
0-100 kmh: 12.5 secs (A)
Top speed: 170 kmh (A)
Price: from $51,788 (with COE)
Distributor: Borneo Motors. Tel: 6475-1288