Toyota launches upgraded Etios in Indian car market

Refreshed Etios Liva launched in India with price tag of Rs. 5.24 lakh

Toyota Launches new Etios Liva in Indian car market

Toyota Etios Liva Review by Expert

One of the most awaited hatchbacks in the Indian auto market is none other than Toyota Etios Liva from Japanese car maker. It is actually most looked-for, because it marks the entry of Toyota Motors in the money-spinning segment of hatchback cars in the country.

Toyota’s Indian subsidiary Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) brings to you a courteous compact car that has all the capabilities to impress the car buyers nationwide. The compact car is a hatchback version of its successful sedan, Toyota Etios. The new hatchback model was initially introduced with petrol version and later a diesel avatar was added to the Liva lineup.

The words from industry experts say that it has got the best interiors in terms of space compared to other cars in its segment. The hatchback is designed with smart interiors that offer superior headroom and legroom. Looking at the pricing bracket of this hatchback, the straight competitors will include the crowd of Maruti Swift, Hyundai i10, Tata Vista, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Figo, Nissan Micra and Fiat Punto.

The exterior though are majorly derived from sibling Etios sedan, but still carry some distinctions that are remarkable. The front grille has a welcoming ‘smile’ that carries the touch of excitement along with the front body colored bumpers that are carved intelligently making them look modern. While the rear is more civilized with neatly placed tail lamps along with amazing finish levels.

The interiors are truly spacious and at first glance look utter premium, while the stand out aspect is the front seats that have been given a sporty shape. The central console and instrument panel is neatly designed along with adequate cooling in the cabin, whereas special care is seen at the driver’s seat with ample legroom to stretch and it is one the most comfortable driving seats in the hatch category. While safety concern is taken into account religiously as there are dual airbags and ABS along with premium feature of center meter reading.   

Toyota Etios Liva is now available with 1.2L, 1196cc, 80 PS petrol engine, whereas the diesel version is wrapped with 1.4L power train that generates a max output of 68 PS and 170 Nm of peak torque. The two engine options are mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Moreover, fuel efficiency delivered is quite good against the currently offered by other cars in the segment.

Toyota Etios Liva Rivals

Toyota Motors first hatchback in India, Toyota Etios Liva undoubtedly offers best in class features and all-in-all is said to be a complete package in itself, but this crowded segment won't let any car enjoy its privacy, hence competitors are always seen chasing each other. Here one of the potent rival for Toyota Etios Liva is Ford Figo hatchback. The dimensions of both the models are nearly same, while the exteriors look remarkably good. The interiors of Liva are not as lively as compared to Figo, while feature-wise one would like to go for Figo. The usage of plastics in Liva  never looks cheap as in Ford Figo. The fit and finish levels of interiors are great with Toyota Etios Liva in contrast to Ford hatch. Both the cars offer the choice of petrol and diesel engine and give out decent performance and mileage. The handling is good with both but when comfort comes into picture can’t get better than Toyota Etios Liva in this price. Toyota has always been a synonym to comfort and luxury and the same reflects in their inaugural hatch too.

Toyota Etios Liva Special Features

* All variant of the new Toyota Etios Liva will be equipped with basic features like AC, Heater, Sporty front headrest and pillow type rear head rest, digital trip meter, internally adjustable ORVMs (Outside rear view mirrors) etc.
 * All variants will Except the base variant all other variants will get advanced comfort features like power steering, power windows, central locking, tilt steering, etc.
 * All variants will be equipped with driving comfort features like Cooled Glovebox, Seven bottle holders (1-Liter), Pockets at front and rear doors, Anti-Glare Rear View mirror (inside), Driver and Passenger side sun visor with mirror.Remote Fuel Lid and Tail Gate Opener.
 * Body colored bumpers, Door handles and ORVMs (Outside Rear View Mirrors) along with Black colored B-pillers make the exteriors styling.
 * Smart Intermittent wipers to to make your journey comfortable and stress free even in rainy season.
 * Alloy wheels with broad puncture resistant tubeless tyres to increase the appeal of the new Etios Liva with excellent drivablity even at offroading conditions.
 * Initially, car will be available only with petrol engine option, but company has planned to launch Toyota Etios Liva diesel also. The new Toyota Etios Liva diesel would be available by this year end.
 * The car will be available with seven elegant colors, Vermilion Red, Serene Bluish Silver, Celestial Black, White, Symphony Silver, Harmony Beige and Ultra Marine Blue.
* Advanced 2 Din, Radio FM, MP3 CD-DVD Player with remote control and USB built in.
 * Fog Lamps, Alloy wheels, Rear spoilers, Chrome finishing at Door handles and at Tail gate will be available with top variant.
 * Steering mounted audio controls will be available in the top variants of Toyota Etios Liva.
 * Advanced safety features like Dual Front SRS Airbags (For Driver and Front Passenger), ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), Immobiliser, Keyless Entry, Driver Seat Belt warning, Door Ajar warning, etc.

Toyota Etios Liva Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

Both the power trains of Liva present its consumers with some excellent mileage numbers that are enough to lure them in these soaring times of fuels. The two claimed mileages are certified by ARAI.  

Toyota Etios Liva is powered by the 1.2L petrol engine which can produce maximum power of 80 PS along with pure torque of 104 Nm. As per the ARAI test reports, Toyota Etios Liva is able to deliver a decent mileage of 18.3 kmpl on highways, while in city environment it can deliver about 15 kmpl.

The fuel efficiency figures are commendable, offered by the 1.4L diesel counterpart that produces 68 PS of maximum power output along with more mature peak torque of 170 Nm. It has got an ARAI validated mileage of 23.5 kmpl in standard conditions, but while driving in city conditions one can easily get nearly 18.5 kmpl.

Toyota Etios Liva Models and Features

Toyota Kirloskar Motors has launched only the petrol version of Toyota Etios Liva and later on this year they will launch the diesel version of Etios Liva. The company has five variants of Toyota Etios Liva with different level of comfort, luxury and safety packages. These variants are named as Toyota Etios Liva J which is the base variant, Toyota Etios Liva G, Toyota Etios Liva G Safety Package, Toyota Etios Liva V and the top end variant Toyota Etios Liva VX. The details of these variants are mentioned below.
 

Compare Toyota Etios Liva Models

Toyota Etios Liva Colors

The only hatchback of Toyota Motors is presented sensibly with host of colors to choose from that consists of White Symphony, Vermillion Red, Silver Serene, Ultramarine Blue, Bluish Silver, Celestial Black and Harmony Beige. In all, there are 7 Toyota Etios Liva colors and among them the most in demand is Ultramarine Blue, White Symphony and Harmony Beige.

White	Symphony Silver	Serene Bluish Silver	Celestial Black	Harmony Beige	Ultramarine Blue	Vermillion Red

Click Here to see more Toyota Etios Liva Pictures

Toyota Etios Liva Engine, Power and Performance

The new hatchback in town Toyota Etios Liva is equipped with a 1.2L, 4-cylinder 16 valves and DOHC (Double OverHead Camshaft) petrol engine. This 1196 cc advanced engine can give out maximum power of 80 PS at 5600 rpm with maximum torque of 104 Nm at the rate of 3100 rpm. This higher level of power and torque suggests that how efficient this new Toyota Etios Liva engine is. Not only it makes the car a high performer, its EFI fuel supply system makes good mileage too. While, it comes mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox.

The 1.4L 4-cylinder 8V diesel power train of Toyota Etios Liva is capable to produce utmost power of 68 PS at 3800 rpm. This 1364cc engine is one of the frugal most engines available in the hatchback segment with certified mileage. A peak torque of 170 Nm is pulled out at rev. per minute of 1800 rpm to 2400 rpm. The performance oriented engine has got 8 valves and Single Over Head Camshaft (SOHC) along with Toyota brand D-4D technology designed for diesel motors. The engine is coupled with a smoother 5-speed Manual Transmission (MT) in order to provide suitable drivability.

Toyota Etios Liva Pickup and Acceleration

 

The Toyota Etios Liva accelerates in good time compared to its arch rivals. The two engine choices offer different displacements with 1.2L Petrol and 1.4L Diesel. The diesel version that outpours 65 PS of power along with 170 Nm peak torque is capable to achieve a top speed of 180 kmph. Moreover this engine assists the car to catch up the speed of 100 kph from nothing in mere 17.5 seconds. The petrol version Toyota Etios Liva that yields a maximum power output of 80 PS is able to reach the 100 kph mark from being stationed in just 14 seconds. Furthermore, the greater torque release of 104 Nm assists the petrol engine to attain a top speed of 160 kmph.

Toyota Etios Liva Interiors and Features

The theme of the Toyota Etios Liva interiors is ‘sporty’. When one enters the hatch, the dual tone interiors greet with spacious cabin with aptly comfortable seats. The dashboard looks really impressive and meters placed in instrument cluster are easy to read. The dual tone dashboard and well designed graphic fabrics makes it look like a luxurious sedan. The seating arrangement of Liva is impressive and well positioned with decent leg room and head room on both the rows.

The headrests at the front seats are adjustable and comfortable and reduce the chances of injuries in case of jerk. There are fabric insert door trims and sporty leather wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel that has mounted audio controls for greater convenience along with day night inside rear view mirror. Chrome work is really classy with accented air vents and gear shift knob to beautify the inner looks of the car. The air conditioner comes with filter to provide the occupants with clear air, while power windows and electric power steering together with cooled glove box acts as extreme convenience to the passenger as well the driver.

Other remarkable characteristics include pockets at the back of front seats, easily reachable sunglass holder so you don’t need to distract your eyes from roads combined with 7-bottle holder and rear defogger for any weather condition travelling. For the entertainment there comes a 2-Din advanced music system with smart handy remote that can play both FM radio as well as audio and MP3 and DVDs to make your journey full-on delight with Toyota Etios Liva.
 

Toyota Etios Liva Exteriors and Features

The exterior appearance of Toyota Etios Liva looks exclusive with some good work on the outer structure besides some apt design engineering.

The frontage of the Toyota hatchback greets you with a sophisticated smile, by its smiling front grille that gives out a moment of delight as soon as you see the car. The chrome ornamented slat at the grille along with Toyota ‘crest’ provides it an up-market feel. The uniquely carved dazzling headlamps of the hatch increase the appeal and grant it a one of its kind look. Whereas, there is sporty appearing front bumper spoiler that has spherical fog lamps placed on the two sides of the body colored bumper. The sides are bestowed with body colored ORVMs and door handles along with blacked out B pillar that provides a premium look from the sides. The extraordinary appearing 12 spoke alloy wheels that have tubeless tyres offer the Toyota Liva a cut above the rest. It’s magnificent roofline and the dynamic muscular shape makes it a distinct sculpture. All the five doors are muscular and come fitted with good amount of rubber insulation for firmness that also helps reduce the grunge noise while closing the doors. Moreover, there is roof mounted stylish antenna, which ensures that the occupants listen to their favorite radio/FM stations with optimum clarity on the move.

The rear has got broader tail lamps that provide appropriate visibility to the approaching vehicle. While, there is an active roof spoiler with high mounted stop light along with some excellent work of chrome garnish on the boot surface of Etios Liva that makes it stand out of the crowd. Liva has got a good ground clearance of 170 mm, which is one of the best in the hatchback segment together with a turning radius of 4.8m again a shorter as compared to most of its competitors in the country.

Safety Features in Toyota Etios Liva

Being a global carmaker safety comes first with every vehicle of Toyota Motors and Liva is no different. The car has SRS airbags at the front for driver and passenger along with Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to ensure the safety of the occupants at the time of any mishap.  The other regular safety and security elements that are a part of Toyota vehicles include Engine immobilizer and key less entry to Liva combined with important aspects such as driver’s seatbelt warning and door open warning.                 

Toyota Etios Liva Driving and Handling

The hatchback Toyota Etios Liva has got many excellent things similar to that of sibling Etios sedan in the drivability section. While driving, one can feel as if riding a sedan, whereas a good amount of focus has been given in making the ride quality better keeping in mind the majorly rough and potholed Indian roads. The front Mac Pherson Strut suspension system along Torsion Beam at the rear are up to the marks compared to some famous hatchbacks like Swift in the segment and absorb the bumps with ease on while on the move. The 5-speed manual gearshift is smooth and move with ease in the traffic ridden conditions of the city, while it gets better when on the highways. Though both the engines are not that powerful but still make out a decent torque and power output.

Toyota Etios Liva Accessories

In order to create a distinctive ‘My Liva’ feeling for their vehicle, one can dress up their Liva with loads of different genuine accessories that are up for the grabs by the company. One can choose from a wide range that includes advanced body graphics in dark and light combinations, whilst there are seat covers to make the interiors looks more civilized along with rubber floor mats and mud guards to bestow a decent look from side view. To protect your vehicle’s body colored bumper from bruises and scratches there is bumper protector, furthermore there trendy looking steering wheel covers and much more to make the inside look lively.

Toyota Etios Liva Conclusion

The first Toyota hatchback in India has lived up to the expectations of the sibling sedan. The promising hatchback Toyota Etios Liva offers value for money in all the aspects compared to its arch rivals Ford Figo and Maruti Swift. It has got many characteristics that will make you fall in love with Liva like the space, the peppy-ness of the engine and ride quality on bumpy tracks along with delivering a class leading mileage in both the variants of petrol as well as diesel models. In the interiors, use of plastic could have been done in a more respectable manner as at times it looks to be cheap, whereas the space in the boot is pretty limited. But keeping in mind the fact that Liva costs around Rs 1 Lakh lesser against Etios sedan all the cons can be excused as it offers its consumers ‘more’ than what they have paid for.