The comfortable 2003 Toyota WISH
The Toyota WISH is a compact people mover and mini van that has been produced at Toyota plants in Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan since 2003. It has two generations: AE10 which runs between 2003-2009 and AE20 which was built from 2009 to the present. Toyota WISH offers two petrol engines: the 1.8 litre and 2.0 litre
Design, comfort, practicability
Toyota WISH’s strength is probably in the design and comfort attributes which dampen the fact that it is just a people and cargo mover. To some users, it is like a ‘WISH come true’. The Toyota WISH is not too big and neither is it small (Length x Width x Height mm: 4,560 x 1,695 x 1,590) . WISH is comfortably positioned between the Toyota Ipsum and Spacio or its competitors Mazda Premacy and Honda Stream due to its modern aerodynamic profile with an outstanding front to rear gentle cascading curves. The body design blends well with the large LED tail lights and crystal clear tear drop head lamps. The lower roof profile is stylishly and cleverly designed with large windows and windshield to allow ample visibility. The interior design and layout though ‘plasticky’ is cleverly moulded and blended with modern materials. Soft polyurethane steering, door handles and smooth curved knobs sit well with the soft fabric upholstery on the seats and doors. The dashboard and centre console are well laid out for easy access and visibility of infotainment and controls. Seating is comfortable and supportive for the five or seven seater layout also accommodating ample legroom. The middle and rear seats can be adjusted flat to accommodate cargo for shopping, school runs and airport drop-offs.
Performance, handling, maintenance
Toyota WISH’s petrol engines are efficient, reasonably powerful and easy to maintain. The 1.8 litre 1ZZ-FE uses a multi point fuel injection and VVTi system to deliver an output of 120 horse power (89kw) at 5,600 engine revolutions per minute (rpm) with a highway fuel economy of 15-16km/Litre. The 2.0 litre 1AZ-FE (which powers the Camry and RAV4) delivers more thrilling power of 145 horse power (108kw) at 6,000 rpm and slightly less fuel economy between 13-14KM/Litre. The fuel statistics provided can be reduced or improved by the availability of CVT (continuous velocity transmission), 2WD or 4WD options, car loads, the car maintenance standard and driving style (gentle or aggressive acceleration). Handling on road is comfortable for reasonable speeds between 80-100 kph. The WISH profile is not suited for high speed manouvres and performance driving because of sway due to the narrow wheel base and high clearance.
Maintenance of the aluminium engine and electronic fuel injection components require use of detergent lubricants and fuels with genuine parts. Availability of fast moving spare parts is easy, body parts are difficult but the breaker yard used parts market fills the gap.
Other models
Toyota WISH 2015
It is available as either a six or seven-seater and can be had with optional all-wheel drive. The rear seats fold flat, producing a generous amount of cargo space. Once you drive a WISH, you will wish you had done so sooner.
Toyota WISH 2011
The WISH from BM came with a slightly larger capacity, the 1.8-litre model but still possessed a couple more ponies than it does. Externally, the CVT equipped WISH differs little from the previous 2.0-litre model as most of the improvements have been done on the internals of the MPV.
