Advertorial: Toyota Etios now gets the Platinum edge

Toyota India recently introduced the facelifted Etios range or as they now call it, the new Etios Platinum and the new Liva. The petrol Toyota Etios Liva Platinum is priced between Rs 5.24 lakh -Rs 6.28 lakh while the diesel prices range between Rs 6.61 lakh - Rs 7.44 lakh, highly competitive prices these. Meanwhile the petrol Toyota Etios Platinum is priced between Rs 6.43 lakh -7.44 lakh and the diesel between Rs 7.56 lakh - Rs 8.87 lakh, ex-Mumbai. Toyota will continue selling the pre-facelift Etios alongside the new car, with the older car catering to the fleet segment.

The new Etios Platinum gets an even more sharper look now. Gone is the boxy shape and in comes a premium design. There are sharp cuts and creases and this in turn lends the new Toyota Etios Platinum with an aggressive stance. The lower bumper is more pronounced now. The alloy wheels on the top trims also look trendy. Inside, there is the centrally mounted instrument cluster with a Bluetooth-enabled touchscreen system sitting below it. There are audio controls on the steering wheel too. Toyota has revised the upholstery too with a new ivory colour. The rear seat can now be dropped to accommodate longer objects in the boot. Toyota claims to have improved the NVH by as much as seven per cent in the new Etios range. All these lend a new charm to the vehicle, thereby helping Toyota bring more customers to the showrooms.

The reliable 1.5-litre petrol and the 1.4-litre diesel engines are now more silent and refined and are mated to 5-speed manual transmissions. Toyota claims to have worked on the clutch to make it less springy for the Etios Platinum series.

Toyota has been the only manufacturer in the segment and also the one in the sub-Rs 10 lakh to have ABS, EBD and dual airbags standard across all its cars. In 2014, dual airbags were made standard across the range by the Japanese manufacturer.  ISOFIX points too have been added now to the new Toyota Etios Platinum and Liva improve child crash safety protection. This has enabled the cars to earn a 4-star Global NCAP rating, among the highest for any entry-level sedan.

Toyota has also retuned the suspension thereby making it more compliant to the harsh Indian road conditions. Ride and handling has always been a highlight of the Toyota Etios range. The new cars don't disappoint in that aspect and in fact have upped the ante in that department too.

All in all, the new Toyota Etios Platinum range and the new Toyota Liva will be worthy competitors to the segment rivals with the premium looks, alluring interior, highly efficient petrol and diesel engines and value for money proposition.