The smooth, quiet, Toyota Brevis
The Brevis is based on the same rear-drive platform as the Lexus IS, using a double wishbone suspension at all four wheels.
What you need to know:
- The Brevis was changed in April 2004 as the mesh grille design was adopted for the front grille.
- Robert Ddumba, a used car parts seller from Kiseeka market says not only are parts rare compared to, say a Premio, but they are priced more expensively, a fact confirmed by Ntambi.
Call it fate but some cars become so popular and then just disappear. Either replaced by newer versions of the same car or completely get less and less attention from car buyers. A few cars such as the colossally popular Toyota Harrier are immune to this rule though. The Brevis is in fact a brother to the Progres.
Interior
The interior does not exactly make a dramatic first impression. It is really typical Toyota from that era. The straight-lined dashboard is quite clean with a few knobs and buttons, which makes for easy access and operation. All models come with faux wood trim that is plastic. There is a large, multi-function display for audio, and AC. Since this is a Japan Domestic car, the interface is presented in Japanese but constant tinkering with it shall tell you what button does what. While most models shall come with cloth upholstery, some are treated to leather and shall carry a premium if you are buying locally from the bond.
Exterior
Many Brevis-es on the road shall go one of two ways. Look fresh from the bond and nice on the eyes, elegant unassuming and stately, on the other hand simply look like they have been driven to the ground. Nevertheless the shape is a little less boxy than the Progres. When I first saw the car I believed that viewed from the front or the sides, the Brevis should age well with its design cues becoming classic rather than old or out of fashion. But then again, looking at other cars from the same era, the Brevis is easily a forgettable car.
The inside features a power window for smooth window transition, power steering for making steering wheel more efficient in manoeuvring by alignment with tires.
Performance
The Brevis is perhaps best characterised by what is missing, noise and vibration. It shall never annoy you. It offers a smooth, quiet ride. It always feels under-stressed, quietly relaxed, and undemanding. Like the rest of the car, the suspension is set up primarily for comfort. All engines are 6 cylinder with a choice between a 2.5 Litre and 3.0 Litre displacement. While strong and smooth, engines of that size are not very forgiving at the pump, a fact that sinks in a few months into ownership. Steven Ntambi, a proud owner says his 3.0 Litre returns an average of seven to nine kilometres to the litre.
Cost and ownership
The Brevis is a car from Toyota’s stable so maintenance shall not be much of an issue. Nevertheless, because it is not very popular, many used car parts sellers use this to their advantage and put a premium on the non-service parts.
Robert Ddumba, a used car parts seller from Kiseeka market says not only are parts rare compared to, say a Premio, but they are priced more expensively, a fact confirmed by Ntambi. Averaging about Shs23m to Shs28m at the bond, resale values today are hovering around Shs8m to Shs13m, a drop that is not the most inspiring.
Value
This is a car for people who precisely know what they want. In the used car market you want a car that can maintain its resale value in the first few months so that you have some leverage selling it if you change your mind without losing a lot. While the Brevis does not have that, it is still a very competent car due to its confront and smooth power delivery while cruising.
Model changes
The Brevis was changed in April 2004 as the mesh grille design was adopted for the front grille.
The models after December 2005 come with EMV (with colour backing guide monitor & window shade corner monitor) and also a DVD voice navigation system for G-BOOK and NAVI.AI-SHIFT (not applicable for 4WD models.)
