Toyota Passo Vs Toyota Vitz: A Toyota Subcompact Showdown

You need a small car that’s cheap to run, easy to park, and built with Toyota reliability. Great. Now you’re standing between a used Toyota Vitz (or Yaris) and a Toyota Passo. Which one offers better value, better storage, and a more satisfying drive? This subcompact showdown breaks down the key differences between the Toyota Passo vs Toyota Vitz to help you make the perfect choice.

Overview Of Toyota Passo

Passo was first launched in 2004 as a combination effort by Toyota and Daihatsu Motors. Toyota Passo is considered the “twin brother” of Daihatsu Sirion when manufactured according to the model of small urban cars.

The car has currently in its second generation since February 2010 and is still in production. In Japan, the Toyota Passo was launched with two versions of X and Moda, besides 2 powertrain options and 12 exterior colors for customers to choose from.

Overall look, Passo has a simple but no less luxurious design. The interior of the Toyota Passo is practically designed with two rows of seats, with the front row designed adjacent to the armrest in the middle. The second row of seats has quite a lot of space and can be folded in a ratio of 60:40. 

With a compact design, the Toyota Passo was equipped with a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine, making 69 horsepower and a maximum torque of 92 Nm at 4,400 rpm. This engine is paired with a CVT transmission and optional FWD or 4WD. The small engine makes the Toyota Passo very effective in terms of fuel economy.

According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the Passo FWD consumes about 3.57 liters / 100km while the version equipped with a 4WD drive system consumes” 4.1 liters / 100 km. With these numbers, the Passo became Toyota’s most fuel-efficient small car in Japan.

About Toyota Vitz

Like the Passo, the Toyota Vitz is one of the most sought-after cars in the small-range segment. Vitz, on the other hand, was introduced in 1999 as Toyota Starlet, and for domestic only at first.

When going globally, the car was implemented in some European designs to make it more fascinating. Although it has a compact design with front-wheel drive, its look is fairly eye-catching with the spacious interior. However, there’s one drawback: you will have difficulty switching gears because you will feel slightly cramped.

Vitz comes in both 3-door and 5-door body configurations and is currently in its third generation. When talking about the handling ability of Vitzs, this car is unparalleled. Toyota Vitz is a typical city vehicle with the highlight of acceleration. And excellent visibility and isolation of noise and vibration.

Toyota Passo Vs Toyota Vitz Showdown

Engine

The Toyota Passo comes with either a 1000 cc or 1300 cc DOHC three-cylinder engine with a front-wheel drive system mated to an automatic gearbox with a four-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The car’s fuel consumption is about 4.4 liters/100 km, capable of generating 68 horsepower and 68 lb.-ft torque.
Meanwhile, for the Toyota Vitz, we found a 1.5 L inline-four-cylinder engine that is able to produce 106 horsepower and 103 lb.-ft of torque. Vitz has either a 5-speed automatic or 4-speed manual transmission, and is capable of covering 100 km in 9.4 liters.

Exterior

The Passo has a simple and elegant design that matches all ages. Its exterior comes with projection headlamps and an alloy rim.

In contrast, the Vitz looks not only sporty but also aggressive with its sharply designed front profile. This model is more suitable for young people’s tastes.

Interior

The Passo has a remarkably spacious interior and a highly functional cockpit. The cabin is well designed, especially to minimize noise from outside. Even more, the car has luxurious seats that ensure a smooth drive.

The Vitz’s interior has a straightforward and sleek cockpit with easy-to-use controls. The cabin is designed to be spacious with adequate headroom, legroom, and a large cargo space.

Safety features

The Passo implemented such safety controls as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), and collision safety measures like Dynamic Support Headrests and SRS front and curtain sheet airbags.

The Vitz grants standard safety features with nine SRS Airbags, along with Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Daytime Running Lights, Antilock Braking System (ABS) with EBD, keyless entry, and power locks.

Watch the video to learn more about the topic: 

Conclusion: Which Subcompact is Right for You?

As we wrap up this subcompact showdown, it’s clear that neither the Toyota Passo nor the Toyota Vitz is objectively “better”—they are simply designed for different priorities.

If you are a young driver who values quicker launches and a more energetic feel, the Toyota Vitz is undeniably the hatchback for you. However, if your focus is strictly on practicality, the Toyota Passo pulls ahead by offering superior fuel economy and that valuable extra bit of interior space.

Your winner is the one that best matches your personal driving needs: Vitz for acceleration and fun, Passo for space and savings.