Etios Review: 4 Years of Use

Exterior This car is a proper sedan in the money identical of other compact sedans.  So car is very proportionate. Looks are subjective, but overall I found it is no hate no love styling.  The rear of the car could have made bit better. Single wiper does its work adequately however this much money does require dual wipers.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) I found my car is very good in the interior space and comfort. The rear seat is very good if you have driver to drive your car, else its comfortable for your elderly relatives to relax for long journeys.  The rear seat back rest angle is perfect. Driver seat is comfortable and seat hight adjustment provides high driving position unlike in the sedan class. Better broad view. Underthigh support is extremely good and its better than any other car in its class (entry level sedan or any compact sedan). I also experiencely say, the seat comfort is better than H. City, MS Ciaz, MS Brezza, MS S Cross, H. Jazz and many other bigger cars.

However all seat comfort and space positive is taken away by the features and interior quality. Though the car having many usable bottle holders and other spaces but interior quality is not up to the mark, poor plastics and less level of equipments. I have 2013 topmost model which even doesnot have digital clock, electrically operated mirrors (forget retract), fuel efficiecy figures etc.

The revised interior color (black/beige) might be in line with current fashion and it could be better than my one, which was then having as grayish beige.

Dont forget it have massive bootspace, around 600 ltr. Go on putting your bags and it takes it happily!

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox This is the department where this is much much better.  Superb 4 cylinder engine and great easy to use gearbox. Engine has enough power to pull all 4-5 passangers with full of luggage, however this car is best driven at less than 110 kmph. Because, 5th gear could be applicable from as low as 55 kmph hence it moves about 3000 rpm around 100 kmph.

Fuel economy is very good. The company claims around 16.8 kmpl of petrol. My driving style is decent, I get around 13.5 kmpl in high traffic, 15 kmpl in mixed condition and around 17 on highways. Which is very good figures I would say because company itself claims only 16.5 kmpl, so we cant expect more like maruti suzuki.

Ride Quality & Handling Car feels stable at 100 kmph and suspension are great at high speeds.  However this car is not suitbale for shart turning at high speed becuase of less car weight and it do have body roll (a lot). Straight line performace is great. Ride at low city speed, 30-40 kmph is good.  But between 40-60 kmph is ok ok. Above 60kmph is good. Steering is comfortable to hold and maneuver.  Remember this is family car and not keen driver car.

Final Words A balanced product from Toyota. One can surely think over other stylo compact sedans. A very good family package.

Areas of improvement This car at its price point surely ask for more features and also nice color quality.  I say, this is a time for introducing next generation Etios with revised dashboard, interiors and rear end stying.

Seating comfort, Space, A Toyota product, SuspensionBuilt quality, interiors