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Toyota's hatch is here! the etios liva dissected inside: full road test, competition check, tech specs road test

living ’s small car is finallyup! here and even though its been a long wait for it to arrive, we can say that it was well worth it! ZigWheels puts the Etios Liva to the test.

eems like Toyota had already first glance, over time you broken the mould with the realise that it truly is. For Etios Liva even before the starters it’s here with a ’s launch. How? Well, different engine compared to normal practice for most its sister and for more manufacturers at least in India reasons than just efficiency. has been to launch the With a 1.2 litre engine behind PHOTOGRAPHY : KUNAL KHADSE S hatchback first and then stick a the aggressive front end, the boot to it after a few months. Etios Liva also attempts to So it did come as a faint shock make the most out of the excise to everyone when the extremely duty concessions that the spacious Etios sedan was Indian government has to offer launched first in India while for small cars. But the word Toyota opted to keep the ‘small’ itself is a paradox here hatchback’s debut for later. It’s because despite the Etios Liva now here though and the fitting the bill as far as external Toyota Etios Liva promises to dimensions are concerned, it is not only live up to its suffix but quite the opposite on the also to the ‘breaking the mould’ inside. theme in many more aspects. While what the Etios Liva Design & Style: Happy brings to the table may not face or Angry bird? seem overly revolutionary at The press release for the Toyota

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Etios Liva says that the car’s front was designed to look like a happy face. Now, everyone’s favourite angry birds may or may not have been around when the car was penned, but there’s no denying that the two do look similar. And that is not necessarily a bad thing – it means that the Etios Liva has a certain cuteness to it and despite the fact that it shares the same front end as the Etios sedan, the Liva looks more appealing owing to the rounded hatch at the back. And that’s really where the magic of the Liva is – the way the rear end has been designed is simply a delight to behold. It finally makes the chilled glovebox. The anyone who knows the seems to be rather straight the front end look complete central instrument console is Indian market would have forward – better efficiency. – something that the sedan also carried over and we known that the hatch would With the gear ratios matched could never manage. Two must say it does give the car be looking to exploit the to make life in the city easier, corner-mounted tail lights do a rather interesting maximum benefits of the the car does feel peppy the trick to give the Etios perspective. The sporty excise duty concessions that enough at low revs and Liva not only a beautiful theme is extended all the way the Indian government has accelerates cleanly off the guise but also a very sporty from the seat fabric and the on offer for small cars. And line, but a little later all the stance. The car has a huge door trims to the steering that means that under the excitement does die down and some pretty wheel and the central dash Etios Liva’s hood is a 1.2 litre and you really need to work good ground clearance, but layout. But then again, that four cylinder engine. On the engine to get to over 120 the overall design of the car was bound to happen paper, it isn’t all that bad – km/h. Our instrumented helps hide both dimensions considering that the Etios 80PS @ 5600 rpm and tests did see the car cross the extremely effectively from sedan was always a very nice 104Nm @ 3100 rpm aren’t 150 km/h mark but trust us, the outside so as not to car to be spending time in bad figures at all. In fact it took a lot of patience and appear jarring in any way. and the Liva’s insides are they’re pretty close to most even more stretches of empty If the exteriors were more or less an identical of the competition and better roads to get there. The aggressive, yet cute, the match. than some as well. Coupled 5-speed manual gearbox may interiors live up to the car’s with the Liva’s 900-odd kg be the culprit here with gear name beyond doubt. The Engine & kerb weight, it should also ratios more akin to city complete set is a straight lift : make for great power to driving than highway from the sedan which means Efficiency is the key weight ratio to score high on cruising, but that does have a it comes with the same There was a lot of talk of the performance, right? But rather pleasing effect when vertically mounted central Liva getting the big 1.5 litre somehow, that’s not the case you look at it’s fuel air conditioning vents and engine from the sedan, but because the Etios Liva’s brief efficiency figures. ARAI certifies them at 18.3 kmpl cumulative but real world conditions should see you get about 14.3 kmpl in the city and 16.1 kmpl on the highway. Considering the prices of petrol today, that’s not a bad proposition indeed! All through the car’s test, the Liva’s gearbox provided positive feel and slick shifts all the way to fifth. Predictably then, the Liva wasn’t a scorcher in the acceleration tests either, taking over 17 seconds to cross the 100 km/h mark. Vehicle Dynamics: Quality bits all round The Etios Liva comes in with a 2460mm wheelbase,

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which is pretty long and apart from liberating more room on the inside, that also helps make the car more stable on the open road. Keeping the tyres attached to the road surface is a MacPherson Strut setup on the front and a torsion beam at the back. The setup does soak in almost everything that Indian roads can throw at a car and the Liva is surely capable of handling more power from the engine when it comes to handling as well. Uphill drives may seem exactly that, but the Liva does delight on a tight downhill run – though not as much as some of its other more focused handling competitors. But the best part about the car is the fact that when it comes to safety, with the Etios Liva’s looks, but also in some much bigger closed! And to top all that Toyota aren’t compromising but considering that we cars! With Kunal Khadse, off, it’s a Toyota, which which means no matter which spend a lot of time playing our photographer sitting in means there’s more than of the four variants you Angry Birds in our modern the front seat with his legs enough of reliability and choose, every Liva comes with lives, most young people fairly stretched out and quality in that car to put ventilated discs up front and should take an instant liking leaving himself quite some major space projects to drums at the back that make to the car owing to the knee room, I could fit my shame. Peace of mind and braking crisp and sure. The similarities in appearance. 5’6” stocky frame rather ease of operation is what you 170 mm ground clearance Then again, it doesn’t really easily in the back bench and get with the Etios Liva and also means that the perform as well as we would still had about 6 inches of that’s something that’s a underbody is clear of any kind have liked it to – especially knee room to spare! The luxury to have in modern of hits and scrapes on the with the 1.2 litre engine doors open far and wide stressful times! tallest of ill-constructed speed running out of breath on the making for easy ingress and breakers. While the bottom highway, but the flip side to egress and the benches Verdict: A new high two variants – the J and the G that is the amazing fuel themselves are rather on comfort! come with 14” tyres, the top efficiency it returns both comfortable too. The rear Considering all of the above spec V and VX come with 15” within city confines and on one especially, can easily seat and the price tag that the ones which not only make the the highway. But the Etios three adults abreast and Etios Liva comes with, it sure car look good, but also greatly Liva’s appeal stretches way there’s more than enough seems like a quiet revolution enhance the car’s handling as further than just looks or room for tall folks too. If you in the small car segment. well as ride comfort. performance. It is probably thought all that would eat up While most people might not one of the most practical on boot space, think again – be able to appreciate the Living with it: small cars we have seen in because the Etios Liva’s boot car’s importance and value Practicality the market. With space that is massive and can devour a immediately, those who do to the max! could put many a car to whole lot more than just remain eternally happy It may take a while for shame not only in its your luggage – it could easily with their decision to buy it. someone to truly fall in love segment or a segment higher, fit me in there with the hatch The Etios Liva is a big car in a small package and coupled with legendary Toyota reliability and quality, the Liva should offer good service to its owners who will revel in its massive interiors and comfortable seating. This is certainly not the car for someone looking at super fast mile munching, but when you look at your bank balance at the end of every month, the Liva will definitely make you smile. Maybe that’s what Toyota meant when they said that the Liva was a happy faced car then!

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Price (ex-showroom delhi) ` 3.99 lakhs ` 4.59 lakhs ` 5.49 lakhs ` 5.99 lakhs (Opt) : ` 5.05 lakhs

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Competition Check: Toyota Etios Liva

vs hatch-pack! A pricing between Rs 4 and 6 lakh ex- showroom has meant that the Toyota Etios Liva has the entire gamut of Indian in its crosshair. Here’s the lowdown on all its petrol-powered rivals, with their pros and cons compared to the new car

PHOTOGRAPHY : KUNAL KHADSE

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ser friendly, reliable, with a trusted badge and most the small, spunky and inexpensive Chevrolet Beat right importantly, affordable. That’s what the new Toyota Etios up to the solidly-built Volkswagen Polo – everything is is all about. If its makers have cut corners while creating fair game for new entrant. the car, it is in places where it doesn’t show, or hinder A full-blown comparison test is on its way, but the car’s daily use capabilities. It may not emanate a meanwhile we have a quick recap of the cars that the high-flying premium hatch feel, but that’s what keeps it Etios Liva will fight, along with the places where the well within the buying reach of a large majority. From rivals better the new car, and what they lack.

U Swift may have some trouble retaining its long-living shine thanks to the Liva. The appeal of the two cars is totally different – the Liva is a more welcoming, comfy family hatch, the Swift has a more aggressive and youthful air. Families that own the Swift probably do so since they either did not have good hatchback options back in the day, or do not wish to look anywhere else thanks to the brand name that the Swift has built up. This will be the primary hurdle that the Liva will face, but it does have the Toyota badge and the reliability that comes along with the package. It also has more space, and Maruti Swift The Swift vs Liva comparison is a very is a more practical car in general. The Swift serious one, and the verdict may change the still remains a force to be reckoned with, market, and hence demands much more especially after the recent move to the 1.2-litre comprehensive testing. Watch out for a K12M engine as its petrol powerplant, but the straight and detailed head-to-head soon. As basic difference in the cars is the people for per preliminary impressions though, the whom they were originally intended.

family appeal just like the Toyota, so let’s stick with it for now. The K12M engine definitely has its bases covered against Toyota’s 3NR-FE mill. It’s revvy, responsive, exciting and fuel efficient. The mileage figures are quite comparable, but the Liva engine does demand to be driven in a relaxed way, keeping the revs under 4000rpm to get the most out of it while engine on the Ritz is responsive and frugal almost throughout the rev range, and seldom feels out of breath. When it comes to space and comfort, the Maruti Suzuki Ritz While most questions will be about the Liva trumps the Ritz. Packaging of interior Liva vs the class leading Maruti Suzuki Swift, space is certainly one of the Toyota’s strong let us not forget that Suzuki’s exemplary and points, and kneeroom especially at the rear is all-new 1.2-litre K12M made its much better compared to the Ritz. Styling also debut with the Ritz, much like the Etios Liva. pushes just the right buttons with respect to The Ritz is also more closely matched to the Indian tastes, as the quirky styling of the Ritz Liva when it comes to pricing and has a higher needs some getting used to.

has a decidedly upmarket appeal, with a modern and fresh exterior design and treatment of the interiors. It is a fairly comfortable car too. This is a car that shares the maximum characteristics with the Etios Liva too. It is Japanese, designed with easy city use in mind, has similar dimensions and similar levels of space and comfort inside. The Micra does have more plush interiors, and a great build quality given that the Made-in- Chennai hatch is exported around the world. That said, the Etios Liva beats it in terms of price, and brand image. Toyota definitely Nissan Micra The latest entrant into the Indian hatch demands a more loyal fan following compared space has begun to gather momentum, and for to Nissan, which is still making its presence good reason. To start with, the Micra certainly felt in the Indian car space.

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strong, proven chassis, non-controversial design, phenomenal space, interestingly placed feature-variant combination – and price. The 1.4-litre Duratorq powered diesel variant is definitely the better car of the two, but the petrol is not bad either. Comparing the Figo to the Liva, the Ford beats the Toyota in terms of space. The Figo’s fantastic balance between ride quality and handling is also something that the Liva’s more soft, easy going suspension set- up does not match up to. But while the Figo’s interiors leave a little to be desired, the Liva Ford Figo looks smart from the inside. Fuel efficiency is The last big success story in the Indian also expected to be better on the more hatch market has been the Ford Figo. At the optimally weighed Liva compared to the Figo heart of its success lie a few very smart which has an underpowered 1.2-litre petrol factors, like very ingenious repackaging of a pulling a fairly large and heavy car.

international car through and through, a fact corroborated by the International Car of the Year award. The Indian petrol Polo however shines much more in the expensive 1.6-litre engine option. The three-pot 1.2-litre engine that is also seen in the Skoda Fabia does not quite live up to the car’s capabilities, and feels laboring. While the Etios Liva does not have a cracker of an engine itself, driveability at city speeds is certainly much greater. This may well turn out to be a battle of the brands between the world’s largest Volkswagen Polo The Polo has been rocking the carmaker and the German marque that has premium hatchback space since its launch, strong aspirations for the same position. The and for good reason. Solid build quality with two cars are built with very different briefs in great attention to detail, great driving mind though, and it remains to be seen dynamics and road-holding, and classic whether the masses prefer the Liva’s ease of European hatch looks – this is an use over the Polo’s strong face.

design, Japanese refinement and Indian sensibilities when it comes to the drive. Super comfortable and refined with a whole lot of space, the i20 may not have hit the headlines of late but is definitely raking in the sales. The Liva does feel a little pared down compared to the i20, which feels like a lot of car for its price. An optimal combination between price and features is a hallmark of the Hyundai, and gives it extra points over the Liva. The Liva is lighter and easier on its feet though, with controls as tactile and Hyundai i20 One of the best value for money smooth as the i20. Plus the Toyota brand premium hatches around, the Hyundai i20 name may be the trump card to give a tough manages the best marriage of European fight to the Korean giant.

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smaller car and hence sports a much lower price tag. It does have a zingy 1.2-petrol mill and falls within our competition criteria, so we had to put in a word for the radical GM hatch. It has enough going for it, but the Beat remains a car that is an option in the smaller car class, against the likes of the Hyundai i10 and the Maruti Suzuki A-Star. However it manages to offer a tough fight, with great interior and exterior design and exciting engine characteristics. When it comes to the Liva, it does have an edge in terms of price and driving fun, but loses out on too many Chevrolet Beat This one may not really be a fair fronts including space, comfort, sorted comparison, since the Beat is a significantly dynamics and above all, brand image.

Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 The Punto looks great, but in this avatar it has by far the weakest engine to power this really promising car. In fact, the 1.2-petrol option is here only for excise benefits, and seriously reduces the entry price-point of the European hatch. It has size, space and looks on its side, but that’s about it. The Liva on the other hand is a purpose-built 1.2 hatch, and though it may not look as good or is as large as the Grande Punto, it drives with ease, and comes out on top compared to this particular 1.2-litre variant of the Fiat.

Tata Indica Vista Safire

Facing similar problems as the Grande Punto thanks to the same engine, there are better versions of Indica Vista to go for, including the 90PS 1.4-litre petrol, and the great Quadrajet diesel. In the 1.2-litre petrol variant, the Indica Vista still has all the practicality, space and comfort that the car has come to be known for, but the small mill has problems driving the biggish hatch, and fuel efficiency also suffers as a result. The Liva on the other hand will be perceived as a more upmarket offering thanks to the Toyota badge. The team also found the Japanese car to be a better looker than the Vista. All in all, the Etios Liva remains a definite step above the 1.2 petrol Indica Vista, in almost every way.

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