Toyota Etios Liva TRD Sportivo review, test drive

With a stronger engine and sporty body kit, Toyota Etios Liva TRD Sportivo brings some freshness to the lineup.

Published on Apr 04, 2013 09:45:00 PM

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Toyota Etios Liva TRD Sportivo review, test drive

The Sportivo tries to play the part with a body kit that includes sportier front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a rear spoiler and handsome smoked grey alloy wheels. There are changes to the cabin too, namely that black dashboard and front seats that have the TRD Sportivo logo on them. It gets all the bells and whistles of a top-end V SP Liva, and that means the two-DIN audio system with USB and aux ports, power windows and two airbags. It doesn’t get climate control or powered mirrors though. Surprisingly, the Sportivo comes with a perfectly round steering wheel rather than the sportier-looking flat-bottomed wheel that the regular Liva gets. What’s more, the bigger engine means it doesn’t qualify for the government’s small car excise benefit, so it’s priced at Rs 6.13 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). That isn’t particularly great value, considering it’s missing equipment expected in a top-of-the-line hatchback.

Overall, the Sportivo does have decent performance and is more attractive and sporty looking than the regular Liva hatch. However, these characteristics don’t manage to hide its true practical hatch colours.