We normally associate Toyota with premium cars, but, for the first time, the world’s largest car maker has developed a low-cost car like the Etios. This is probably the most affordable sedan in its entire global line-up, creating a benchmark of sorts in affordability. Obviously, one would not expect a Corolla for Rs 7 lakh. Having said that, the Etios has to live up to Toyota’s standard and also elbow out Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, who have been masters of cost-effective cars in India. Maruti Suzuki’s Dzire and Tata Motors’ Manza are currently the most popular models in this category and so they make for the obvious choice to be pitted against the Toyota, the new challenger.
To be honest, none of these three will bowl you over with its design. The Maruti looks better as a hatchback, but the sedan’s three-box design does not have a natural flow and looks as if the boot has been added as an afterthought. The focus is on practicality rather than on inspiring awe. Meanwhile, the Tata Manza seems to be an improvement over its forebears and carries the sharp bonnet design, which has become a Tata design DNA, also seen on the Aria and the Vista. Unlike the Maruti, the boot on the Manza looks naturally incorporated and, overall, the design is decent, but will certainly not woo you in your midsummer night’s dream.
Like most Toyota designs the brand-new Etios has not been designed to take your breath away. The approach is safe and well-balanced with an unmistakably Toyota grille. The headlights and fog lamps are simple and small. The crease on the door looks crisp and rises sharply towards the rear wheel arch, adding some character to the car. The angular boot with large triangular tail-lights is not exciting either. Overall, the Toyota is rather understated like the other two cars in this comparo, but seems more appealing now due to its freshness.
While the Manza and the top-end Etios run on 15-inch wheels, the base versions of the Toyota comes with 14-inch wheels like the Dzire’s. The Manza is also the largest in external proportion, being the tallest, widest and longest, with the Etios coming a close second. However, the Maruti and Toyota offer better ground clearance of 170 mm, which is vital for our road conditions.
