Toyota Etios Car Review in India

Toyota created a new benchmark when it launched its first-ever low-cost mass-market model, the Etios in India in the year 2010. Introduced as a rather price-conscious, practical car, the Etios, however, failed to electrify - blame it on its dated, plain-vanilla designing or its un-Toyota like excellence. This sent the world's largest automotive manufacturer back to the drawing board and the result was a better looking, more powerful Etios 2012. And now, in a bid to bolster its brand throttlehold and live up to the mounting consumer needs, the Japanese auto giant - Toyota has re-launched its "most-affordable" mid-size sedan again, this time with a bolder, trendier facelift, better ground clearance and a newly introduced J variant. Toyota have pinned all its hopes on the new Etios to get the volumes in a country where car sales have been shooting through the roof.

The updates in the face-lifted Toyota Etios 2013 aren't just purely cosmetic. Deep within, the car comes powered by two engine options - a 1.5L 4-Cylinder 16V, DOHC and 1.4L 4-Cylinder 8V, SOHC, D-4D. The best-in-class 1496 cc petrol engine unleashes a healthy 89 bhp @ 3000 rpm and top torque of 132 Nm @ 3000 rpm while the 1364 cc diesel engine belts out 67 bhp @ 3800 rpm and 170 Nm of torque @ 1800-2400 rpm. The 5-speed manual transmission offers smooth gear shifting.

The Toyota Etios sedan claims an ARAI fuel efficiency figure of 16.78 kmpl (petrol), which is decent enough for a car of this class and engine. The diesel engine, however, claims an efficiency of 23.59 kmpl.

Thanks to its size and super-light electric steering, the car feels pretty easy to punt around the city. Not to forget, it's firm suspension set up ? MacPherson Strut in the front and Torsion Beam at the rear ? that gives the car commendable stability at high speeds. Toyota has especially worked hard to cut down on the NVH of the upgraded Etios that now feels like a dream to drive.

The older Toyota Etios was anything but impressive style-wise - boring, dull and inconspicuous. The Toyota Etios 2013 doesn't break any new ground either, but it certainly does command more attention. For starter, the new Etios gets revised headlamps and tail lamps that significantly up its style quotient. The bold new front grille with superb chrome finish looks typically Toyota-ish and the stylish 12 spoke-alloys just heighten its oomph appeal. Not to forget the elegant new side mirrors with indicators and trendy new rear combi lamps with distinct fin pattern that gives a terrific appeal to the whole exterior. Besides White, Celestial Black, Symphony Silver, Harmony Beige, and Vermilion Red colours, Toyota has added another colour to its repertoire now, the Classic Grey.

Toyota designing team has spent significant hours in improving the interiors of the Etios sedan. Besides better quality plastics, the cabin now comes with a two-tone beige treatment for door trims and upholstery and a rather well textured dashboard in similar combination. But that isn't all. The revamped Etios boasts of comfier seats and superior equipment levels. Entertainment options like 2 Din audio with Bluetooth, Aux-In, USB, and remote that were omitted in the outgoing model, are now available across all the models of the face-lifted variants. The new car also gets upgraded driver focused equipment like height adjustable driver seat, AC vents with air purifiers and a combimeter with blue illumination.

Toyota has always rated comfort highly, which is why the face-lifted Toyota Etios now comes with a wad of comfort features like an ergonomic steering wheel with EPS & tilt, comfortable new seats and more.

Toyota has geared up its favourite sedan with a Bluetooth, USB, CD, Aux-In, Remote control that were missing in the outgoing models.

Toyota isn't one to compromise on the safety of its car. The revamped Etios gets ABS with EBD, dual front SRS airbags, and impact absorbing body structure.