IT WOULD be a gross understatement to say the first Toyota Wish was a success. The compact seven-seater goes down in history as the best-selling MPV in Singapore ever, outdoing all other MPVs combined.

It also offers very good value for money, both on the showroom floor and at the petrol station. Which is why it is also a favourite among taxi companies.

The first-generation car arrived at the authorised Toyota agent Borneo Motors last year - nearly five years after parallel importers started selling it. Borneo will officially launch the importers; and it is as different from its predecessor as it is similar.

Styling-wise, Toyota has moved away from the safe, organic shape loved by so many, to sheet metal with clever creases and folds.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times, Life!.