Introduced in 2017, this mid-cycle update brought sharper styling, improved interior acoustic insulation and, most importantly, the introduction of a larger 1.2-litre engine alongside the revised 1.0-litre unit. Keeping this city hatchback agile and economical requires regular Daihatsu Ayla maintenance, particularly regarding the valvetrain hydraulics and cooling system components that work hard in tropical or congested driving.
The headline addition is the 1.2-litre Dual VVT-i engine (3NR-VE), which provides 88 hp and significantly greater mid-range flexibility than the 1.0-litre 1KR-VE. Both engines employ a timing chain, but the variable valve timing mechanisms require spotless engine oil to avoid solenoid actuator sludge. When paired with the four-speed automatic gearbox, check that shifts remain silky and that kickdown operates without delay or transmission slip.