Toyota is known as a reliable brand in India but it is not able to cash in the compact sedan and hatchback segment due to various reasons like average design technology, better contenders available in the segment etc. Toyota is targeting to have 10% market share in India by 2015 so refresh version of Etios Sedan and Etios Liva will certainly help their cause. Our experts have driven the refresh Etios and analysis Liva on some criteria, So let’s have a look what they think about Etios Liva.
Price:
New Toyota Etios Liva is available in the price range of Rs. 4.76-6.57 for the petrol and Rs. 5.94-6.95 for Diesel. This price is at par with the competitors like Maruti Suzuki Swift, Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo. Among these Ford Figo seems more affordable and Pocket friendly.
Engine and Driving Mechanism:
Etios Liva is available in both petrol and Diesel engines and carrying the specs of engines from previous GEN models. Etios Liva is a disappointment in terms of power figures and performance, when we compare it with Volkswagen Polo; Maruti refreshed Swift and even Figo, it turns out to be just a car without fun.
During the time of its launch there were rumor about Liva getting an Altis based engine but it turned out to be just a rumor. Etios Liva is powered by DOHC Petrol engine which churns out 78.9BHp power and 104Nm torque and diesel is powered to a SOHC CRDi engine with 67.1BHp power and 170Nm torque. Both the engines are underpowered, though they are neither weak nor strong.
Toyota basically concentrated more on improving fuel efficiency rather than the performance; it cannot even match the performance of its sedan sibling. Acceleration is at par with new swift but way lower than Grand i10, though overtaking is not a problem in Etios Liva but downshift requires while doing that. Overall behavior of Liva is not exciting as Grand i10 or Swift but is fine and predictable and better than Figo.
Ride and handling of Etios Liva is not too disappointing as its acceleration, Liva behaves in safe manner when it comes to handling. McPherson front suspension performs in a well balanced manner and sufficient for uneven Indian roads. Better than the Swift which feels bumpier on these roads whereas Liva will keep its occupants happy? The 5 speed gearbox is decent when it comes to shift quality; though it feels hard at start but it gets old it eases up.
Liva also suffers from same problem i.e. high NVH levels, Engine; Tyre noise is highly audible even on 80-90 km/hr.
Space and Dimensions:
New Etios Liva is a compact version of Etios sedan with the dimensions of 3755mm length which is around 510mm shorter than its sedan sibling whereas width and height of Etios Liva is same as Etios sedan. Front seats are large with good lateral support and height adjustable functionality.
Rear bench space is an advantage for Etios Liva especially over its chief competitor Swift, Liva can easily fits in three occupants on rear bench without any adjustment. Boot space of Liva is 251 liters which is on the lower side but not bad to swallow the holiday luggage. Ground clearance of 170mm is sufficient to absorb the potholes of Indian roads.
Exterior:
The outer appearance of Liva gets some tweak like smiling front face is now decorated by redesigned front grille, other than that front fascia is same with conventional headlamps, round shape fog lamps with bumper skirts. Side profile now has 12 spoke alloy wheels, electrically adjusted Toyota Camry resemblance ORVM’s, side line skirts and outdated flap type chrome finished door handles. Rear design is remained untouched with rear combi tail lights, thick chrome line on the boot lid, body colored bumper skirts etc.
Overall design of LIVA is a hit or miss, most of the people would find it too conventional and simple.
Interior:
Etios Liva is always criticized for unconventional dashboard and same story has been repeated in the New Etios Liva as well. Person who has been in cabin of Etios will feel like a home in Liva cabin, it’s that identical. New Liva is upgraded with new upholstery, new 2 DIN music system, door rests with wood finish, A/C vents and gear knob with chrome touch, different kind of texture on dashboard to minimize windshield glare etc.
Unconventional looking A/C vents and centrally placed instrumental control is certainly a negative point for Liva.
Verdict:
Toyota Etios Liva can be termed as a compact version of Etios sedan, Etios Liva is good in patches like spacious cabin, decent fuel efficiency and fine performance are its strong points whereas unusual cabin design, not so catchy rear design and better alternatives available are its weak points. Though it delivers fine performance but it cannot match the class of K series and Kappa engines.
