Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios full front view.
CarDekho.com

For the time being the focus has shifted from the always-in-news hatchback and utility vehicle sections of the Indian car market.

The Toyota Etios sedan has finally arrived and is hogging the limelight.

With the sedan launch comes the news of its hatchback sibling too.

The company has named the new Etios hatchback, the Etios Liva.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios Liva.

The Etios Liva comes with a 1.2 litre engine capable of producing 80 bhp and a promise of a 1.4 diesel unit later.

Also, the company might think of plonking the Etios sedan's 1.5-litre 88.7 bhp engine in the Liva sometime in the future.

For now let's take a look at what the Etios sedan has to offer.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios steering wheel.

Engine

The Etios sedan is powered by a 1.5-litre motor with twin cams and four valves per cylinder.

The engine is capable of producing close to 90bhp, which is not class topping but the saloon gets an edge due to its low overall weight.

This is so far Toyota's cheapest car and has been designed keeping emerging markets in mind.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Exterior

There is nothing out of ordinary about Toyota Etios sedan's look and it seems like the company wanted to play it safe.

The car has a long wheelbase that provide it the base for ample space within.

The car comes with large 15-inch wheels as standard for V and VX versions.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios front seats.

The front of the Etios is dominated by a trademark Toyota grill along with curves on the bonnet.

The headlights are small and the front bumper has the fog lamps.

The side and rear profiles of the car are usual - while the side has strong lines, the rear has sober looking triangular lamps.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios rear seats.

Interior

Toyota stands for gorgeous interiors and the Etios sedan completely lives upto the image.

Both the front and back seats of the car are extremely comfortable and ergonomic.

The car is a five-seater and supremely comfortable.

The fabric and build quality of the seats and interiors is top class.

The car has a 595-litre boot, which provides ample of space for you to carry things around without running out of space.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios head light.

But the seats do not fold to make more room.

Apart from the boot the car has small storage spaces of which the 13-litre chilled glove-box is the most impressive.

The car has a centrally mounted instrument cluster and leather-wrapped steering wheel in the higher end model, but does not have too many alluring features.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Image: Toyota Etios wheel.

Handling and performance

The Toyota Etios sedan gives a fuel economy of 17.64 kpl according to the ARAI driving cycle.

With its advantage of low weight and a good motor the car is a perfect city saloon.

It might not be as fun on the highway though.

The car has a good turning circle and a responsive steering.

The car does justice to all typical Indian market needs like comfort, practicality, affordability and fuel economy, which makes it a hassle-free car to drive and own.

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Toyota Etios is here! Price begins at Rs 496,000

Price:

The Etios sedan has been competitively priced.

It is expected to start at Rs 496,000 and go up to Rs 686,000.

Etios, thus, comes directly in competition with established models from Maruti, Hyundai and Tata, Ford and many others.

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