Toyota Etios Liva D-4D GD - Performance Review

Thankfully, unlike the design and the features, our market seems to have had a very little say in the engineering of the Liva. The 1.4-litre diesel engine from the Corolla Altis trades in the variable geometry turbo for a fixed-geometry one – but thanks to the lightweight construction of the Liva, the package feels very sprightly and fun to drive!

The ride quality is typically Toyota – in spite of being an economical car, the Etios Liva doesn’t compromise on ride comfort. The suspension setup is a big surprise for a car in this category. It is cushy enough for city commutes, and stiff enough to have some fun around the twisties. 

In fact, the Etios sedan had a hard time keeping up with the Liva on the highway and in the twisties. And the end of it, the Liva still managed to return better fuel economy as well!

So how does it sum up? Simply put, it’s a combination of outdated styling and great engineering. While the old-school styling can be blamed on our market’s demand, great engineering has always been Toyota’s forte. So if you are looking for a no-nonsense small car that will continue to run for eons without breaking down, the Liva will fit your bill perfectly. If only I could say the same about the plastics…

Also Read:

Toyota Etios Liva Diesel Design Review

Toyota Etios Liva Diesel User Experience Review