TOYOTA ETIOS

Toyota Etios happens to be an executive sedan, which is performing well in the Indian market. The car has got an update in terms of both exteriors and interiors, and functions like driver's seatbelt notification and dual front airbags are now offered as standard across all the variants. The car is presently offered in both petrol and diesel engine options, depending on the preference of buyer. From INR 6,42,189(Ex-Showroom Price - Delhi)

In the recently introduced facelift version, the Japanese auto maker has added more bling to the sedan. The major change at exteriors comes in as new grille. The erstwhile model lagged in terms of looks with the new model, its overall appeal has been enhanced to some extent. Moreover, the company has also launched new colour option - Pearl White - which happens to be the new metallic white paint. As far as length of the car is concerned, it has one of the largest wheelbases with 2550 mm, in its segment. In the reworked model, the auto maker has also paid special attention to its interiors. It now comes with new beige-coloured upholstery, while the dashboard still continues to feature dual-tone grey-beige shade.

Exterior

At the front fascia, Etios flaunts a new radiator grille with chrome inserts. However, the grille of base variant is done in body colour. Other highlights at exteriors like alloy wheels, headlight cluster, bumper and tailgate remain unchanged.

Interior

New fabric upholstery is used at interiors to cover the seats and door panels. Etios has ample shoulder space and legroom, and thus it can easily seat five passengers. In order to offer a comfortable drive, the car comes with numerous comfort features like air conditioner, power steering and height adjustable driver's seat. In the top variant, customers are offered with a leather wrapped multi-functional steering wheel. At interiors, the sedan sports a lot of chrome work, which adds to its elegance.

Engine and Transmission

The petrol variant of Etios sedan comes equipped with a 1.5-litre engine while the diesel version features a 1.4-litre 8V D-4D mill. The oil burner has a displacement of 1364 cc and churns out a maximum power of 67 bhp with 170 Nm of peak torque. On the other hand, the petrol engine has a displacement of 1496 cc and it produces a maximum power of 89 bhp with highest torque of 132 Nm. In order to transmit the produced output, the auto maker has incorporated a five-speed manual gearbox in the car.

Performance and Handling

The petrol engine of Etios has the potential to accelerate between 0 and 100 kmph in just 15 seconds whereas its diesel counterpart can achieve the same feat in around 16 seconds. With this acceleration, the petrol version of Etios sedan clocks a top speed of 155 kmph, whereas the oil burner reaches around 160 kmph. Both the variants come equipped with a standard five-speed manual transmission system, which offers smooth shifts between the gears even at high speeds. As far as handling of the car is concerned, the Japanese auto maker has equipped a highly responsive power steering wheel, which helps the car to roll around with turning radius of 4.9 meters.

Braking System

The new Etios has a proficient braking mechanism that let it hold a grip in any weather condition. The front wheels are equipped with a set of ventilated discs, while the rear ones are incorporated with a pair of drum brakes. The diesel versions have Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), adding to the pros of efficient braking system of the car. The car’s front axle comes paired with a McPherson Strut type suspension while the rear axle is fitted with torsion beam system. Both of these systems help the vehicle to remain stable on Indian potholes.

Mileage

The 1364 cc Diesel - powered variant delivers a fuel economy of 22 kmpl in city and 24 kmpl on highways, while the Petrol variant offers a mileage of 15 kmpl on urban roads and 17 kmpl and freeways, respectively.

Safety Features

Etios features a number of protective features like engine immobilizer system and door ajar warning. The base variant sports features like day/night inside rear view mirror and driver's seatbelt warning. In the mid-range variants, the company offers headlight-on notification, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and keyless entry function. In the top-end variant, the customer is offered with dual SRS airbags for both front passenger and driver including seatbelt warning notification.

Verdict

As soon as Toyota has provided a mild facelift to Etios, the popularity of sedan expanded even more. Although the car remains same on the technical front, new benchmark has been set in the segment owing to the added safety features. Notably, the dual-front driver and co-passenger airbags are offered as standard feature in all the variants of new Etios. It is also noticed that Etios is counted among the most spacious sedans in its segment. The recent addition in the facelift model is electronically adjustable outside rear view mirrors.

Competitors

In simple words, it can be said that Toyota Etios is one of the most considerable sedans in the Indian auto market. In its respective segment, Toyota Etios squares off against the likes of Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire and Honda Amaze.