New year, new Big Test, and we’re starting off 2024 big with the top contenders in the small-hatchback segment.
All-new for this year is the 2024 Toyota Wigo in top-spec G CVT trim, priced at P729,000. Meanwhile, the 2024 Honda Brio has just undergone a midlife refresh to stay competitive against newer peers, but are the upgrades enough to justify its asking price of P853,000 for the range-topping RS variant?
We put the two cars through a series of nine tests and tally up the scores to determine which is the Big Test winner. Click play on the video above for the full review, and let us know which of these two gets your vote.
0:00 Intro
0:55 Test 1 – Acceleration
3:05 Test 2 – Braking
4:20 Test 3 – Maneuverability
6:55 Tests 4 and 5 – Features and interior space
12:30 Test 6 – Cargo space
14:05 Tests 7 and 8 – Ride comfort and fuel economy
17:05 Test 9 – Value for money
18:20 Points tally and verdict
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All-new for this year is the 2024 Toyota Wigo in top-spec G CVT trim, priced at P729,000. Meanwhile, the 2024 Honda Brio has just undergone a midlife refresh to stay competitive against newer peers, but are the upgrades enough to justify its asking price of P853,000 for the range-topping RS variant?
We put the two cars through a series of nine tests and tally up the scores to determine which is the Big Test winner. Click play on the video above for the full review, and let us know which of these two gets your vote.
0:00 Intro
0:55 Test 1 – Acceleration
3:05 Test 2 – Braking
4:20 Test 3 – Maneuverability
6:55 Tests 4 and 5 – Features and interior space
12:30 Test 6 – Cargo space
14:05 Tests 7 and 8 – Ride comfort and fuel economy
17:05 Test 9 – Value for money
18:20 Points tally and verdict
Dig cars?
Read more about cars and motoring here: http://www.topgear.com.ph
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TopGearPH
Tweet us: http://www.twitter.com/TopGearPH
Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TopGearPH
Join us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@topgearph
#topgearph
EIVDTGXUGCUBJFNP
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5JKYIGZBXQHTZRG7
QIURP0QTHYU2NDYI
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MotorTranscript
00:00 In the market for a small hatchback, we have two candidates for you.
00:05 And these two candidates are the new Honda Brio and the all-new Toyota Wigo.
00:10 And we are here to take them on the Big Test.
00:23 Now first of the contenders is the all-new Toyota Wigo.
00:27 And it's totally redesigned from the ground up from its design, its interior, and even
00:32 its entire chassis.
00:34 Now the old Wigo was more of a point A to B car but this one is genuinely good.
00:38 But is it good enough to beat the Honda Brio?
00:42 Now with me is the new Honda Brio.
00:44 Unlike its rival, this isn't a full model change.
00:47 This is just a facelift from the one launched in 2019.
00:50 But Honda did add some nice updates to it to help it keep up with the times.
00:54 But can it keep up with the all-new Wigo?
00:57 Okay so I'm driving the Brio.
01:01 Let's have a bit of a switch up this time around, no?
01:05 And we're here to test out the performance, yeah?
01:08 Alright so we're at 60kph right now and off we go.
01:20 And that's 100kph.
01:29 Took a while but power was there.
01:31 And you know, the Brio is claimed to be famous.
01:33 It's the most powerful car in its segment.
01:36 So let's see how that actually stands up.
01:41 Alright, now I am back in my car, the Wigo.
01:47 And we're gonna do the same test, 60-100kph and that's to judge how well this thing can
01:53 actually pass with two passengers on board.
01:57 Okay, huge power deficit.
02:01 It's missing one cylinder.
02:03 And 200cc.
02:05 So we're gonna do 60kph and basically just try and punch it from here.
02:10 Okay, down to 60kph and now.
02:17 Wait, why did the...
02:27 That climb to 100kph is taking a while.
02:30 So oh my god, we're just 100kph now, right?
02:34 Yeah.
02:36 That took a while.
02:37 A while, a while.
02:40 And one thing I noted when we were going uphill, the engine was just so noisy.
02:45 You could hear and feel the engine grunting.
02:48 It had such a hard time accelerating.
02:50 That's just with us on board.
02:51 Imagine if there were five people here plus cargo.
02:54 The four people plus cargo.
02:55 Okay, I have no doubt that this thing can climb up a cliff.
02:59 But with effort.
03:00 Yes, with effort.
03:01 And you're probably gonna use up more gas than you expect to.
03:05 Alright guys, braking test time.
03:08 And you guys know the drill by now.
03:09 So at 60kph, full ABS engaged, panic stop.
03:13 So it's the Brio that goes first and let's see how it does.
03:16 So bring it up to 60kph.
03:32 Alright so it's a small car, it's a light car, so I expected it to stop fairly quickly.
03:37 But we'll see how the Wigo goes.
03:40 But the thing is, the Toyota does have a bit of a disadvantage because it's on narrower
03:44 tires.
03:45 It's on 14s and this one rides on 15s and fatter section tires.
03:49 But we'll see how it does.
03:51 You've seen the Brio perform the braking test, so let's go with the Wigo.
03:56 Build up the revs to get to 60kph and off we go.
04:08 60kph and that was a full panic stop and from where I'm standing, I think it did a little
04:18 bit better than the Brio.
04:20 Maybe the thing's lighter.
04:23 Okay on to the maneuverability test and we're starting with the Wigo.
04:28 This has a few toys that the Brio doesn't have.
04:32 As you may hear, it has that beeping sound when you're reversing.
04:38 And it has a reversing camera and I believe it has sensors too.
04:42 It has reverse parking sensors.
04:49 And steering is not as light as I expected, at least compared to the Brio, but it is very
04:56 easy to park.
04:57 You have large side mirrors and the biggest bonus really here is just the reversing camera
05:02 with the parking sensors because I don't think the Brio has that.
05:05 So let's try driving out of this tight spot.
05:17 So tight spots not a problem for these small hatchbacks.
05:20 Let's see how the Brio does.
05:22 We're done with the Wigo and now we're in the Brio.
05:24 So let's start trying to park this thing.
05:27 What I noticed really from the start is that this has lighter steering than the Wigo, which
05:32 is actually a surprise because that is a much newer car, mechanically at least.
05:38 But the biggest drawback really here is that this thing has absolutely no parking aids,
05:46 no parking sensors, no reversing camera, nothing.
05:51 So you're gonna have to rely on your good old parking skills.
05:54 Oh, it has a parking sensor.
05:56 Okay, I stand corrected.
06:00 Personally, I'm fine with just having parking sensors, but of course in this day and age,
06:08 you have a display anyway.
06:10 So why not just put the reversing camera there?
06:15 And also, the visibility overall in the Wigo is much better.
06:20 The A-pillars here are a bit thicker and the side mirrors in the Wigo are a bit wider,
06:25 so you see more of the sides when you're backing up or you're just sliding into a parking slot.
06:31 So I believe it's gonna be easier there.
06:33 So even though this does have lighter steering, I think you can forgo that for all of the
06:38 aids you get in the Wigo.
06:41 Most people don't just rely on the parking sensors, unlike I do and some of us do.
06:48 But yeah, they'd probably prefer the reversing camera more.
06:51 So I guess in terms of maneuverability, I'm gonna have to give the points to the Wigo.
06:56 All right, Leander, you join me in the Wigo.
07:01 And features-wise, well, I noticed the button here.
07:04 It's got stability control.
07:05 Very interesting in this segment especially.
07:08 It's not a digital dash, but you know, these are affordable cars.
07:12 That's what you'd expect from this price point.
07:14 Yeah.
07:15 Steering wheel controls, of course, are given these days.
07:17 The screen's okay for its size, I suppose.
07:20 But we have to talk about the problem with this screen, the disinfotainment, the CarPlay.
07:25 Yes.
07:26 I mean, it does have it, but we've tried ten different ports.
07:31 And we're not even exaggerating.
07:32 Ten different ports on this thing.
07:33 We tried like three, four, five phones and it just won't work.
07:37 We don't know why.
07:38 It reads my phone as an iPod.
07:39 I don't know what's up with that.
07:41 Moving back to the seats, I'm already liking the Wigo already for one reason.
07:47 Seat height adjuster.
07:50 I mean, okay, in a car this small, you don't really need it, but you know, it helps a lot.
07:55 Perhaps another big bonus of the Wigo in here is the dash cam.
08:01 Oh yeah.
08:02 The dash cam.
08:03 So, Leander?
08:04 You can connect that to your phone via the Toyota DVR app, if I'm not mistaken, and you
08:08 can download the footage there.
08:10 And it's pretty handy because of that comes as standard.
08:12 Alright, so we've covered the features.
08:14 What about space?
08:15 Well, here, it's okay.
08:17 It's pretty decent.
08:18 I have my seat adjusted a bit forward just to make some room in the back, which we will
08:23 find out later how it is back there.
08:26 But it's okay.
08:27 At least our elbows aren't hitting.
08:28 Yes, that's true.
08:29 Maybe that's because you're not as big as me.
08:31 But look at where my elbow is right now.
08:33 True.
08:34 Now, from the driver's seat, I wouldn't say the footwell's narrow because I have no right
08:37 to complain about leg space.
08:39 But I think the footwell, you know, they could've shaved off a bit more plastic down here just
08:45 to make a little bit more wiggle room.
08:46 But other than that, it's totally fine.
08:49 With the Brio, it has nice stuff in it.
08:51 It's got a six-speaker system.
08:53 You know, it's got a very good entertainment system even though the integration isn't as
08:58 clean.
08:59 But the Wigo has features that sort of, you know, they have more weight.
09:05 And it does look a bit more modern.
09:07 It's a bit more pleasing to the eyes.
09:09 At least, you don't feel like you're driving something old which you don't exactly want.
09:13 You have the digital bits in the instrument cluster, and you actually have a larger display.
09:17 And while it is a bit laggy and it doesn't—the Apple CarPlay is a bit wonky, it looks better.
09:24 It looks newer.
09:25 And you know, I guess it adds more to the—for me, it feels a bit more comfortable as well
09:32 when you're looking at something like that.
09:33 And you know, for me, there are three main features that, you know, kind of swing it
09:39 towards the Wigo.
09:41 It's stability control, the seat height adjuster, and the dash cam.
09:45 It's a big addition.
09:46 The dash cam is a big addition, I agree.
09:48 So while I hate that it's wonky, I have to give the points to the Wigo in terms of this one.
09:54 Yeah.
09:54 You agree?
09:55 I agree.
09:55 Alright, so before we move on to the back, what do you think of the space here up front?
10:01 More footwell space, that's one.
10:04 And you know, because of the big windows of the Brio, it generally just feels airier inside.
10:08 Okay, so I wasn't really complaining about the seat, but now that you mentioned that
10:12 this doesn't have a seat height adjustment, I kind of feel like I'm looking for it.
10:18 But then again, I still can find the right driving position here, and there's still a
10:22 lot of space here, so it's not, I don't really feel that cramped inside.
10:26 Elbow room, I think it's somewhat the same, I think.
10:30 The distance here is pretty much the same.
10:31 This feels a bit wider.
10:33 Tiny, tiny bit wider, yeah.
10:34 I don't know, maybe it's because of the plastics around us.
10:37 Maybe there's a bit less.
10:39 Anyway, to conclude this one, we have to check out the second row.
10:42 Let's go.
10:44 Alright, backseat time.
10:46 And if you plan to carry five people on board of this, make sure everyone is slim.
10:51 Yeah, because you can't fit three people here.
10:54 And that's just me and Anton.
10:56 Probably three Antons would fit, but two Leanders, one Anton, no go.
10:59 If Charles were to sit here, it would be like a can of sardines.
11:04 But you do have decent legroom though because this is adjusted to a seat position that allows
11:08 me to move a bit more freely up front.
11:11 Yeah, and the seating position on my end is actually my driving position.
11:16 I did notice something though and it's that the mounts for the seat rails are in the way.
11:22 Yes, they're in the way.
11:24 Very much in the way.
11:25 So your footroom, yes, you can stretch out a bit, but your feet are going to be like
11:30 close together like that if you want to stretch out.
11:33 Also, it doesn't quite have a flat floor here in the center.
11:37 So this is really a questionable fit for passengers.
11:41 Yeah.
11:42 Okay, right off the bat, the backseat of the Brio feels a bit roomier for me.
11:47 I would agree with you because even in the legroom department, it doesn't have the very
11:52 intrusive mounts for the seat rails.
11:56 The floor is flat.
11:57 Yes.
11:58 And I can stretch out that bit more.
12:00 So at least in terms of the backseat, this takes the cake.
12:05 But overall, interior space, which do you think is roomier?
12:11 I hands down go to the Brio for interior space, yeah.
12:14 And surprisingly, even if it is still the same as the 2019 model we saw, I agree that
12:19 this wins the interior space category.
12:22 And even comfort, like when it's not running, comfort-wise, it's also better.
12:26 So features, it goes to the Wigo.
12:28 But in terms of interior, it goes to the Brio.
12:31 Yep, agree with that.
12:34 We'll see if all this stuff can fit in the back of the Wigo, then we'll try it out later
12:38 with the Brio.
12:39 So let's begin.
12:40 All right.
12:41 So this is a bit smaller.
12:42 This is not for one person.
12:43 All right.
12:44 So tight fit, but it's enough.
12:45 It's enough.
12:46 And it does have a tonneau cover, which is a big bonus because the Brio doesn't have
12:59 that.
13:00 So overall, not bad.
13:03 Yeah, this does get in the way a little bit, the shock mounts.
13:07 But other than that, okay, it's kind of what you expect from this segment, about 260-ish
13:11 liters, 300-ish liters.
13:13 I'm expecting two big pieces of luggage won't fit properly here.
13:18 Let's try closing it.
13:19 I'm sure, no problem.
13:20 Yeah, we'll close.
13:21 All right.
13:22 So simple overpack day trip or overnight trip.
13:26 Yeah, these cars can easily handle it.
13:28 So we packed all the items in just to speed things up a bit.
13:31 And this is what it looks like.
13:34 So it looks like a tighter fit.
13:35 I stand corrected, the Wigo has a bigger trunk because we had a bit more space to work with.
13:42 Everything that we put here, we put there, and we had more space to work with there.
13:48 So clearly, we have a winner here.
13:51 It's not going to be subjective at all because you can probably see it in the footage.
13:56 We just have so much more space in the Wigo.
13:58 So yeah, the point to this one goes to the Wigo.
14:03 We did a swap again for the nth time, and I'm driving the new Brio.
14:08 I'm here up front, Anton is out there at the back, and we're going to see just how comfortable
14:14 it is on the highway.
14:15 So we've been driving the Brio for a while already, and it's always been okay.
14:22 It's not great in terms of space, in terms of comfort, but it's pretty okay.
14:26 We're on Calax, and the road here isn't actually perfectly paved, but you don't really hear
14:31 much of the road noise, and the bumps here are somewhat absorbed.
14:36 But out there at the back, how is it?
14:38 It is quite loud.
14:39 Oh, it's loud.
14:40 Yeah, it is quite loud here at the back, but I do like the rear seats.
14:46 There's nice under-thigh support.
14:47 Actually, I can still move my back here.
14:51 Even if Leander's there in front.
14:53 It's not choppy.
14:54 There is a hint of firmness, but it's not uncomfortable, and the body control is, well,
15:01 well-controlled.
15:02 There's no wallow, there's no sway or any of that.
15:06 I mean, when it comes to chassis, it's really like Honda's.
15:08 Honda's always nailed it.
15:10 We can't pick a winner just yet because this is just our first go, but coincidentally,
15:16 we are also testing out the fuel economy.
15:19 We reset the gauge as we enter the toll plaza.
15:22 We're gonna try some city—we're gonna try and simulate some city driving on the service
15:28 roads here in Laguna, and we'll see just how well or how fuel-efficient it is after that
15:34 run.
15:35 So, we're near our destination, and after one Pasalang Calax, the gauge is reading 19 km/L.
15:42 Let's see how the Wigo will top that.
15:46 Perhaps the last swap of the day.
15:48 I'm now in the Wigo again, and Anton is again at the back.
15:53 And we are once again on this part of Calax, a bit downhill, not asphalt, so a lot of road
15:59 imperfections and it's a bit noisier.
16:05 I feel like, at least from the driver's seat, it's a bit noisier, and I am 50/50 as well
16:11 on the ride comfort.
16:14 It's like it feels like a tie almost.
16:16 What do you think?
16:17 It is a lot louder here compared to the Rio.
16:19 I am having to raise my voice a little bit more.
16:24 This rides better, but if you're gonna factor in a couple more things, like it is tighter
16:30 back here.
16:32 I feel the body motions more back here, and that might be a recipe for car sickness.
16:39 Ride isn't the only factor here, it's how you feel back here too.
16:42 So yeah, it's a small win, but it's a win for the Rio.
16:48 So we're done driving the Wigo, and I stopped a bit farther than I did with the Brio, but
16:53 it's still a clear win for the Wigo.
16:56 The reading now on the gauge is 21.1 km/L, which is 2 km/L more than what the Brio got.
17:06 We are now down to our final category, which is value for money.
17:10 Anton, how much do these things cost?
17:12 Now, the Honda Brio RS retails for Php 853,000.
17:17 While the Toyota Wigo tops out at Php 729,000.
17:22 Now the top spec version of this doesn't even buy you the base model Brio.
17:27 For me, really the most important bit that this thing has over the Brio is stability
17:32 control.
17:33 Safety over everything.
17:34 Yeah.
17:35 It's nice that it has a dash cam, it's nice that it has a new infotainment, but really
17:38 it's the stability control that crunches it for me.
17:42 Although that does come at the expense of it losing a cylinder and 200cc.
17:47 That's why it's priced that way.
17:49 But then again, we go back to our acceleration test earlier and sure, this one was a lot
17:57 substantially faster than this one.
18:00 But then again, you're not exactly buying small hatchbacks for their performance.
18:04 You're buying them for fuel economy, in which case this one is the better one.
18:09 This just clearly has the better package.
18:11 Yeah, you can't ignore the Php 100,000+ difference.
18:14 So the winner for value, hands down definitely.
18:17 Is the Toyota Wigo.
18:19 Would you look at that.
18:20 Which brings us neatly to our verdict.
18:23 Time to tally the scores.
18:32 Six points to the Wigo.
18:33 Yeah.
18:34 And it's the clear winner for today's big test.
18:36 Yes, absolutely.
18:38 This time around, Toyota didn't just sell a car and you know, they know it'll sell because
18:41 it has a Toyota badge on it.
18:43 They actually put in the work in this one.
18:45 I have to be honest, I thought it would only win in the price category.
18:49 Honestly, I was so skeptical about the Wigo, but it proved me very wrong today.
18:56 Yeah, the Brio lost this big test, but despite its age, it's still very, very competitive,
19:04 which makes you wonder what Honda's gonna do with the next-gen version of this.
19:07 But until then, if you're buying a small city car and you're in it for the practicality
19:13 and all that stuff, not exactly for performance, you better go with this one.
19:19 Yep, the Wigo is the way to go in this big test.
19:22 [Music]
19:26 [BLANK_AUDIO]