IF the Toyota Vanguard looks vaguely familiar, it is because you have already seen it on Singapore roads - as the Toyota RAV4.
Like the Honda Crossroad, the Vanguard is a domestic Japanese model and mechanically identical to the long-wheelbase RAV4 being offered by authorised Toyota distributor Borneo Motors. But parallel importer VinCar is offering it in Singapore because, unlike the RAV4, the Vanguard can be ordered with an extra row of seats.
From next month, VinCar will make the Vanguard available as either a five or seven-seater SUV with either a 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-litre V6 unit. Electronic four-wheel-drive is standard for either variant. Like the RAV4, the Vanguard has what Toyota calls Real Time 4WD, which automatically alternates between front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive for improved traction and fuel economy.
The Vanguard 240S is equipped with a continuously variable transmission, while the 350S V6 model uses a five-speed automatic transmission. Both have manual shifting capabilities and, together with the crisp steering, should be nice to drive.
The 240S is similarly priced to a RAV4 Deluxe but its equipment level is nearer that of a higher-specification RAV4 Premium. Some of the features that are standard on the Vanguard include a dual-zone aircon, hill start and downhill assist control, as well as xenon headlights and a smart key system which offers keyless entry and start-button ignition.
But being a parallel import means buyers don't get to enjoy Borneo Motors' superb after-sales service. The choice, as they say, is yours.
