Toyota Etios Petrol VX - Performance Review
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Performance Review of Toyota Etios Petrol VX
Last Updated at 03:29 pm, May 20, 2013
Rating :The Etios is a Toyota at heart - smooth and refined
Given its positioning, I expected the Etios to come with a very sedate and fuel efficient powerpack. The Etios actually impresses with both its engine options as well as their performance. In fact, this is the best part about the car, in true Toyota fashion.
The Etios is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 90PS of power at 5600rpm and max torque of 132Nm comes in at 3000rpm. This is a supremely refined engine, butter smooth in trademark Toyota way. The diesel engine comes in the form of the 1.4-litre oil-burner from the Corolla Altis diesel and produces 68 PS of power at 3800 rpm and 170 Nm of torque at 1800-2400 rpm. Both these engines are well complemented by the superb gearbox. The shifts are short and precise. Pretty slick!
On the performance front, the Etios petrol boasts good bottom-end torque and this means it takes off whenever you floor the pedal, irrespective of the gear you are in. Out of 132Nm of peak torque, 110Nm is available from a little above 1000rpm and this gives it good driveabilty around town. In-gear roll-ons too are impressive, and as I said, floor it in any gear and the car picks up without any hiccups. The power too feels very linear and the acceleration is strong and enjoyable. The gear ratios are perfect for both city and highway use. And by the way, the exhaust note is pretty sporty too. I couldn’t help but keep revving it to the redline in every gear just to listen to it.
The diesel engine on the other hand feels sluggish as compared to its petrol sibling and also the EtiosLiva diesel. This is a heavier car and it is pretty evident in the way it pulls. There is very little grunt at the bottom-end of the revs. Instead, you get a meaty mid-range to help you tackle the average metro traffic with ease. What I dislike though is the lack of enough cabin insulation – you end up hearing a lot of diesel clatter – especially when driving hard.
The Etios is meant to ferry the great Indian middle class and is actually very good in terms of its ride. It utilises conventional MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam rear. The set-up is well suited to Indian roads and the car rides beautifully over broken patches. None of the harshness is transferred to the cabin. This plushness takes a toll on the handling though. Push it hard and there is a lot of body roll and the steering feels a bit vague and doesn’t inspire confidence. The Etios is no driver’s car and Toyota isn’t targeting enthusiasts either. Drive this car around sanely and it’s a very relaxing drive, especially in the city.
Verdict: The Etios is an important car for Toyota. It has not only helped Toyota reach out the aspiring sedan buyes in the country but has also set the stage for the EtiosLiva hatchback. Apart from its refined engine, sorted ride quality and equipment levels, Etios’ strength is its price tag starting at Rs 4.96 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai, for the base version and going up to Rs 6.82 lakh for the fully loaded VX variant. The diesel on the other hand starts at Rs 6.35 lakh with the top end variant asking for the Rs 7.76 lakh. Pricing is very competitive when compared to its rivals like the Swift Dzire and the Indigo Manza, but it is the Toyota badge that plays a major role here. This is a Toyota for the masses, and pretty much lives up to this repute.
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First Published on 05:55 pm, November 03, 2011
,Liva GDSP diesel OR SWIFT plz suggest me what to do. I want a car with airbags.
