2016 Toyota Etios: First look

The 2016 Etios which goes on sale this month is the most evolved edition yet and though its yet another facelift (the fourth in five years), the design and development of this latest variant was, for the first time ever, led completely by Toyota’s Indian R&D team. The Etios has been struggling to win the hearts of Indian customers and the Japanese carmaker learned some hard lesson along the way. The key finding is that customers wanted a more upmarket product while retaining the Etios’ core strengths of space, low running costs and reliability. Hence, the new Etios comes with a long list of embellishments that are aimed more at the heart than the head. We take a closer look at them

Exteriors and interiors

Upfront, the 2016 car gets an all-new and more prominent V-shaped grille with black inserts and chrome accents. The front bumper is also new and sports a much larger air dam and prominent housing for the fog lamps. It also sports contrasting black plastic inserts which actually gives the car a sportier look. It also gets new paint schemes, a redesigned grille, and a factory two-tone paint job (for the Liva hatchback). The updated Etios remains more or less the same on the sides and gets a reprofiled bumper, mildly tweaked tail-lamps and chrome bits at the back.  Higher variants will also get new design for the alloy wheels and also power folding wing mirrors. On the insides, the updated Etios gets re-engineered seats with new textures and a rear centre armrest.

Under the skin

Refinement and engine noise was always an issue with the Etios when it was launched and to counter this, Toyota has implemented a host of measures. Inside the engine bay, new hydraulic mounts have replaced conventional rubber mounts and the effect can immediately be felt at idle – there are noticeably fewer vibrations, especially on the diesel. Additional sound insulation has also been used which makes the cabin quieter. The diesel also gets a softer clutch, the gearshift has been improved and suspension too has been tweaked for a plusher ride. The Etios continues with the current pair of engines – a 1.4-litre 68hp diesel and 1.5-litre 90hp petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Safety

The big news is that the 2016 Etios has incorporated safety enhancements as well, including ABS being made standard across variants. Additionally, there are ISOFIX mounting points for child safety seats and side-impact reinforcements. All these reinforcements have led to a weight gain of about 20kg, but it is a small price to pay for the additional safety. The rear seats now sport a much stronger tubular structure instead of a traditional wire-frame structure – a requirement for meeting NCAP norms in crash tests. Armed with these enhancements, Toyota is aiming for four stars in the NCAP ratings for adult crash safety, child safety, side impact and rear impact with the 2016 Etios. Last year, Toyota also made some structural changes for frontal crash impact, and Global NCAP awarded Toyota a four-star rating for the Etios. In 2014, airbags were made standard across all variants. But this meant removing the audio system and putting it on the options list to compensate for the increased airbag costs.

It is commendable that Toyota is investing in these updates, which are largely invisible to an average consumer. The company is working hard to increase safety awareness among prospective customers, which – though it’s growing – is still not on top of the list for the Indian car buyer. It also indicates that Toyota wants to woo more private buyers as opposed to fleet customers (which currently make up about 60 percent of sales), who come with completely different expectations.

No doubt, the Etios is now a far better-rounded package, but is it now desirable enough to win new-age car buyers? The boxy looks are still a challenge and sadly that can’t be changed, not until 2020 when the sleeker, next-gen Etios is expected.