Reference Auto

It’s been almost a year since the Etios and the Etios Liva crossed the one-lakh sales mark (it has surpassed  the 1.45 lakh sales figure now), giving a succuor to Toyota’s earnings in India, and now, the Japanese auto giant has rolled out the new Etios for a price range of between Rs 5.45 lakh and Rs 7.08 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 6.70 lakh and Rs 8.15 lakh for the diesel version while the new hatchback Etios Liva will now come for between Rs 4.46 lakh and Rs 5.99 lakh for the petrol car and Rs 5.72 lakh and Rs 6.38 lakh for the diesel model.

The new features in the refurbished Etios and Liva include two-tone interiors, driver’s seat adjustments and a blue backlit combi meter, among other additions.

The face-lifted Toyota Etios and Liva do not have major changes so far as looks go except a more stylish looking front grille with chrome finish.

Outside rear view mirror mounted side indicators are also new in the Etios series of cars.

The 1.2 litre Etios Liva TRD Sportivo model has seen raging sales in India, and this has prompted the company to launch a separate 1.5 litre special edition model at Rs 6.13 lakh (petrol version only), which produces 90 PS and comes with a litany of hi-tech features like ABS, D+P airbag, 15 inch smoked alloys, TRDAero kit and TRD Sportivo logo on seats and roof.  

The two-tone upholstery and a rather well designed dashboard of the new Etios and Liva have given a fillip to the interiors. 

Entertainment options in the new Etios series include a two-din audio with Bluetooth, USB, Aux-In and remote, which are offered across variants of the revamped models. 

There are also new AC vents with air purifiers, a combi meter with blue illumination along with bucket seats with headrest (and height adjust), which add to the comfort.

The company claims that it has raised the suspension for both these models and the cars deliver reduced noise, vibration and harshness or NVH.

Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director and CEO of Toyota in India, said, “We have incorporated customer feedback and are hoping to delight more car buffs with our new Etios series. The whole line-up has been done to give customers the latest in features and looks along with the style quotient. The new line-up is a lot youthful and trendier also. The Etios has made inroads not just in India but also in countries like South Africa and Brazil. The new models will be available immediately in Toyota showrooms.”

The Toyota Etios and Liva are a tad on the expensive side but the company’s plan of taking customer feedback before rolling out models would surely help Toyota reap benefits and give a fillip to sales of its cars although the company has to do a rethink on the price front.