Toyota Premio Long Term Review: 3,000 km Felt Like Nothing
By Galle Enterprises Road Test Desk · 27 June 2026 · 6.2K Views
When the brief is to move three adults and their bags across the island and arrive without a stiff back, nothing in our fleet has beaten the Premio. It is not fast, it is not exciting, and neither of those things matter here.
The Comfort Reason
The suspension is tuned soft in a way modern cars rarely are. Expansion joints, patched tar and unmarked speed breakers all disappear underneath it, and the seats have enough cushioning for a six-hour stint.
Rear legroom is limousine-like for the footprint, which is why so many of these end up in executive transport fleets.
The Reliability Reason
The 1.8L 2ZR-FAE is one of the least dramatic engines Toyota has built. Ours has needed nothing beyond oil, filters and a set of tyres.
Parts are on the shelf everywhere on the island, and any technician has worked on one. That predictability is worth more than a spec sheet.
The Cost Reason
Economy sits at 14.8 kmpl in mixed driving — well behind the hybrids, but the Premio makes it back on purchase price, maintenance and resale stability.
Annual running for a private owner covering 15,000 km works out cheaper than a comparable European sedan by a wide margin.
Logbook
- Date of arrival:
- January 22, 2026
- Kilometres on arrival:
- 61,410 km
- Kilometres till date:
- 64,530 km
- Observed economy:
- 14.8 kmpl
- Running cost:
- LKR 31 per km
Positives: Outstanding ride comfort, huge rear space, bulletproof reliability, stable resale
Negatives: Thirsty next to hybrids, dated interior design
Still the default choice for anyone who values comfort and resale over fuel bills.
Toyota Premio variants & estimated prices
| Variant | Engine | Estimated landed price |
|---|---|---|
| Premio F | 1.5L VVT-i | LKR 18.50 Mn |
| Premio F L Package | 1.8L VVT-i | LKR 20.40 Mn |
| Premio G Superior | 1.8L VVT-i | LKR 22.00 Mn |