Toyota Allion G Expert Review

Toyota Allion G has the sort of exterior design that refuses to become embarrassing with age. It is conservative, slightly formal and unmistakably Japanese. The 2016 facelift brought a sharper front end, a larger grille and more defined headlights, giving the car considerably more presence than the earlier versions.

At 4,590 mm long and 1,695 mm wide, the Allion has substantial sedan proportions without becoming difficult to manage in Dhaka. The 2,700 mm wheelbase gives the car a long, planted appearance and contributes to its generous cabin space.

The G Package sits in an interesting position. It is better equipped than the basic A15 but does not necessarily receive all the exterior decoration associated with the higher G Plus specification. Depending on year and equipment, you can find chrome detailing, alloy wheels, fog lamps, mirror indicators and upgraded lighting.

The shape is particularly well suited to Bangladesh because it looks respectable without being excessively large. Parking in shopping centres and navigating narrower urban roads is considerably easier than with a large executive sedan.

There is one obvious limitation: ground clearance. Around 160 mm is adequate for ordinary paved roads, but Bangladesh has an impressive collection of speed breakers designed as though every car were an off-road vehicle.

Allion G's interior follows the classic Toyota philosophy: everything is where you expect it to be and almost nothing requires a degree in software engineering.

The dashboard is conservative, with physical controls and an easy-to-understand layout. The G Package improves the atmosphere with upgraded interior trim, leather-wrapped steering equipment and more comfort-focused equipment compared with the basic A15. Depending on production year, automatic climate control, smart entry and push-button starting add useful everyday convenience.

The strongest feature is space. The 2,700 mm wheelbase gives rear passengers respectable legroom, and the cabin works particularly well as a family sedan. Four adults can travel comfortably for long distances, while five occupants are practical for normal journeys.

The seating position is relaxed rather than sporty. That is exactly what you want when spending an hour crawling through Dhaka traffic.

The weakness is that the interior has clearly aged. Hard plastics are common, the dashboard lacks the enormous screens now found in newer cars, and factory connectivity is relatively basic. Many Bangladesh-market cars therefore receive aftermarket Android screens and reverse cameras.

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the cabin. It simply comes from a time when a car's dashboard was expected to be a dashboard rather than a tablet glued to a piece of furniture.

Allion G is interesting because its equipment is useful rather than spectacular. Toyota did not fill the car with gadgets simply because somebody in marketing had discovered a new word.

Depending on year, the G Package provides equipment such as power windows, automatic climate control, smart entry and start, Optitron instrumentation, steering controls, upgraded upholstery and useful storage. Automatic headlights, mirror indicators, rear defogger, folding rear seats and other everyday conveniences make the car easy to live with.

The 2016–2021 specification also benefits from Toyota's straightforward controls. The air-conditioning system is particularly relevant in Bangladesh, where a weak AC system can turn a perfectly good car into a mobile greenhouse.

Infotainment is where the car feels old. Factory systems vary by specification and imported vehicles frequently have aftermarket navigation or touchscreen units. Bluetooth, USB and reverse-camera functionality may therefore depend on the particular car you are looking at rather than simply the G badge.

The G Package also should not be confused with G Plus. The higher grade receives additional equipment, and later model-year changes can alter the specification.

Modern features such as wireless charging, factory Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, connected vehicle apps and remote climate control are not central features of this generation.

Allion G has a solid safety foundation for its generation, but it is important to separate conventional safety equipment from modern driver-assistance technology.

Standard safety equipment includes ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, traction control, S-VSC, driver and passenger airbags, three-point seat belts and hill-start assistance. Toyota's official equipment information also lists ISOFIX child-seat mounting provisions and other passive-safety equipment depending on production specification.

The braking hardware uses ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear. For normal Bangladesh driving, that is a perfectly conventional arrangement. Good tyres and properly maintained brakes remain more important than having an impressive list of electronic acronyms.

Side and curtain airbags can vary with specification, so they should be checked on the individual vehicle rather than assumed from the G badge.

The bigger limitation is ADAS. The 2016–2021 G Package should not be treated as a modern Toyota Safety Sense-equipped car. The official 2016 documentation distinguishes the G Package from the higher equipment levels where Toyota Safety Sense and other advanced safety technologies were offered.

That means you should not expect adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance or autonomous emergency braking as standard G Package equipment.

Allion G drives exactly as a comfortable Japanese family sedan should: quietly, smoothly and without constantly reminding you that there is an engine under the bonnet.

The 1,496cc 1NZ-FE produces 109 PS and 136 Nm, with power delivered through Toyota's Super CVT-i transmission. The engine is not remotely interested in winning drag races. It is interested in moving you through Dhaka without drama.

In city traffic, this works extremely well. The CVT keeps the engine smooth during repeated acceleration and braking, and the light steering makes the car easy to manoeuvre through congested streets. Around 10–11 km/L is a realistic city expectation when traffic and AC use are taken into account.

On the highway, the Allion becomes more relaxed. At steady speeds, the engine settles down and fuel economy can reach around 14–15 km/L when conditions are favourable. The suspension is one of its strongest characteristics, absorbing ordinary bumps without making the occupants feel every crack in the road.

The 1.5-litre engine does have limitations. Load five adults, fill the luggage compartment, turn the AC up and ask for a rapid overtake, and you will discover that 109 PS is not exactly a cavalry regiment.