RIGHTLY or wrongly, one can get stereotyped driving a certain car. A prime example is the Toyota Wish, once Singapore's most popular compact MPV.

Families who wanted an affordable seven-seater with good fuel economy made it a runaway success for parallel importers, before it became available in the showrooms of authorised distributor Borneo Motors.

Now, there is a new Wish and for those who have admired it from afar but were wary of its image, it's okay - it is no longer uncool to be associated with this Toyota.

This is because the new Wish not only looks but feels much better. The same basic platform is carried over but major modifications to the chassis means the latest Wish is a surprisingly satisfying drive. The handling has improved and so has the ride comfort. Even the driving position is acceptable for taller folk.

Cosmetically, the head and tail lamps have been redesigned to make it look like a smaller Previa and it is now a lot more attractive.

Inside, the dashboard has been revamped with radical looking air vents - two of which are positioned above the instrument binnacle. This unusual location results in more effective air flow compared with vents that normally blow from either side of the steering wheel.

Equally novel is the flat-bottomed steering wheel more commonly associated with models from Audi and Volkswagen. Of course this is a urethane affair in the Wish, rather than the leather-wrapped European versions, and it has less to do with sporty pretensions than a desire to improve leg clearance, especially during ingress and egress. Whatever the case, the Wish interior does feel spacious. The airy cabin offers excellent headroom for the first two rows of seats. But because the wheelbase is unchanged at 2,750mm, the third row is restricted to smaller adults as before.

What has expanded though is the four- cylinder engine, from 1.8 to 2.0 litres. With its dual VVT-i - Toyota's trademark variable valve timing feature - the engine is incredibly efficient despite being mated to only a four-speed auto.

For example, expressway driving is said to log 12.2km to the litre. Also new is VSC or Vehicle Stability Control, plus six airbags, including a couple of curtain bags. The new Toyota Wish may be a facelift but it is a successful one. The car looks fresh, handles well and offers good fuel economy.

Best of all, when bought from authorised distributor Borneo Motors, there are reliable options such as the touchscreen GPS navigation and rear DVD entertainment systems, as well as that all-important peace of mind.