Wish

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Wish 2.0 Sports Version
Price as tested: CDN$32000

Performance: Wish has two poweplants available. The base version is powered by 1.8 liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with 144hp and 155 lb/ft of torque, which is only adequate for most daily driving. However, its the uplevel 2.0 liter engine with 158 ponies and 170 lb/ft of torque that is the engine of choice. This engine is a smooth operator at both low and high rpm, even if we have to push hard given its 1440 kg. What we really wish is Toyota can give Camry’s 2.4 liter into Wish’s bonnet. That would be really sweet powerplant for such a compact crossover. Unlike the previous Wish, the revised version with a 7-speed CVT with paddle shifters. The CVT has given Wish exceptional efficiency and economy, while the paddle shifters are good enough for any driver to control its rpm. On the other hand, Wish’s CVT offers both sport and economy modes for driver’s wishes. The sport mode really driven the Wish to shift at higher rpm, while leaving the paddle shifters that are able to override anytime is an added bonus.

Handling: Given Wish’s status as a crossover which is able to seat 7 persons, its dynamic abilities are better than what we have expected. The sports suspension has addressed previous Wish’s softly sprung charactistics, while comfortably compliant to absorb all the bumps and roughness. Steering is precise enough but remain rather numb and dead. The body rolls are controlled given its size and weight. As we would expect, there are safe understeer when pushed. Although its not as entertaining to drive as Mazda5 and Honda Stream; it certainly got what its serve in the marketplace.

Brakes: With 4 wheel discs and standard ABS, Wish’s stopping power is more than adequate for what its worth. The stopping distance is short while pedal feels solid and reassuring. However, ABS does kick in a bit too early for our liking.

Interior: Just like many of those compact crossovers, the 3rd row is an either/or kind of proposition. You either fold down that 3rd row for maximum cargo space or use the last row for short trip.

On the front of the Wish, there are all the necessary items you expect from a proper crossover. Everything else from auto climate control to stereo and a nice set of velour seats wrap up the interior. The center screen also serves as a back-up camera given its limited rear sightlines. Unfortunately, everything else has been nailed down by those very cheap plastic.

Conclusion: The latest Wish signifies a quantum leap forward over its predecessor. Everything else from the engines to interior amenities have improved significantly to compete with its rivals. All those are more than welcoming even if its a mid-life revision.

Competitions:
Mazda5
Honda Stream
VW Touran

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Toyota Wish 2.0
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Wish 2.0 Luxury
Price as tested: CDN$32000 (Estimated)

Performance: When you consider the fact that Wish’s major powerhouse remains decade old engineering, you aren’t going to get excited about. What this 4-cylinder 16-valve 2.0 liter DOHC with Toyota’s variable valve timing or VVT-i does is to provide transportation needs without any fuss. If that’s what you are looking for, Wish is certainly up to the task of 99% of the driving audience needs. This 3ZE-FR has 140hp and 153 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal, which is enough to move 7 persons around. Its also up to the refinement and smoothness one expects from Toyota powerplant. The low-end is more than giving itself a decent launch while VVT-i steps in to help boost mid-range. Sadly, Toyota’s stubborn to use an ancient 4-speed automatic has given Wish a rather high rpm when driven on the highway. 100 km/h at 3000rpm has geared rather high for highway cruising. Toyota should have given Wish a proper 5-speed automatic instead. Even if it got paddle shifters as standard, it really doesn’t give the engine a nice boost due to the lack of a 5th and 6th gear. Due to the lack of a manumatic gate on the 4-speed automatic, one can manually up and downshift using the paddles at anytime.

Handling: Given the Wish’s status-of-life as a people mover, its driving experience is competent if not exciting. As with most Toyota, Wish’s chassis feels detached even though its solid and rattle-free. Latter is a good thing as it gives suspension a proper place to hang its heads. On the other hand, the suspension feels firmer than the Picnic it replaces. That’s despite that fact that it still lacks Mazda5 and Stream’s sportiness,. The dynamics is competent and sure-footness but certainly far from being sporty. As with most Toyota suspension, Wish is able to absorb bumps and roughness with ease. But certainly won’t have a sense of European suppleness as its Mazda5 rival. The electric power steering feels rather numb and dead, however, response is decent. There are pronounced body rolls while terminal understeer occurs as it starts to enter corners. Another oversight is the lack of any stability control available in the Wish. Shame on you, Toyota!

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Wish’s brake feels are up to Toyota’s standard on providing good feedback. The pedal feels alive whenever driver needs to hit the nail. ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily is another good step for Wish.

Interior: Wish’s cargo space starts with a low liftover with a tailgate that is completely up on the top, without anyone hitting the head. As with most of these compact minivan, the rear cargo space is minimal with the 3rd row up. With the 3rd row folds flat, there are more than enough space for five persons on a weekend gateway.

The 2nd and 3rd row have decent enough space when it comes to leg and headroom.

In the front, Toyota’s corner cutting is obvious. There are plenty of cheap plastic materials on the dashboard and door panels. The instrumentation gauges and auto climate control are well-lited for proper control. Both the climate control and stereo are placed beside the shifter for nice ergonomics.

Conclusion: After driven the Wish, one has to wonder why Toyota refused to bring a compact minivan to compete with the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo Stateside. It just doesn’t cut it whenever it competes with two of the best cars in the segment. Perhaps Toyota should continue to sell it as a domestic model instead.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Toyota Wish
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Performance: 2.25/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2.5/5