Toyota Etios Petrol VX - Design Review

Toyota has never been bullish about the Indian market. It has been quite contented with the success of its erstwhile Qualis and the Innova and was happy selling Corollas and Camrys to the elite. And then, like other Japanese car makers in the Indian market, it has finally made its mind to play the number game. And with a well thought strategy! What we have here is the Toyota Etios sedan, specially developed for India. This is currently the cheapest Toyota you can buy in the country, before its hatchback version goes on sale soon. Let’s see if the Etios has what it takes to please the Indian sedan buyers.

Let’s face it! The Etios isn’t a head turner nor is it here to win beauty pageants. It wouldn’t set your heartbeat racing. But it was never meant to do all that either. The buyers in this segment often prefer practicality and functionality packaged inside over making a style statement. Toyota actually ran an extensive market research before taking the Etios to the drawing boards. The result is a finely balanced silhouette with the right mix of elegance and appeal, with a dash of style.

The Etios greets you with a wide grin. The cheerful face is marked by an overtly happy looking smiley grille. It’s noticeably a Toyota, but more like an Innova than a Corolla or a Camry. The two creases marking the centre of the bonnet are the only eye-catching design elements at the front. The headlamps aren’t great shakes and the featureless front bumper with a large air dam looks a bit drab. Integrated foglamps are purposeful than stylish.

Things get better when you move to the side profile. Unlike its competitors like Maruti Swift Dzire and Tata Indigo Manza that are based on their hatchback siblings, the Etios is a proper sedan with better marked three-box proportions.  I like the shoulder line that actually comes down from the A-pillar and turns backwards. The side skirting has been used to enhance the profile of the car.

When Toyota ran its ‘what customers want’ clinic, I’m sure they met a lot of people who loved the older Honda City and the Mahindra Logan. If the front has slight hints of the previous generation Honda City, the rear looks strikingly similar to the Logan’s. Although it is better rounded off, it looks like cast in the same mould. In fact this was the unanimous first reaction at the car’s unveiling at the last Auto Expo.

Toyota has put a lot of effort to spruce up the rear. The long chrome strip adds premium feel and I also like the large triangular tail lamps. The curvy bumper adds a muscular feel to the rear. The big boot is there for function, but we shall come to that part later.

To sum it up, the Etios is a handsome looking car and you wouldn’t mind parking it under your porch if you buy the VX trim with all the bells and whistles (read chrome bits and side skirts).  It goes well with the family man image, but as with other Japanese cars, I won’t be surprised if boy racers start kitting it up for rice rocket looks.

Also check:

Toyota Etios Performance Review

Toyota Etios User Experience