Toyota’s Etios Cross is yet
another example of a manufacturer joining the growing lot of vehicles that
offer an SUV stance without compromising on the benefits of a family
hatch. The Cross then has all the pros and cons of the regular Etios Liva but
now with enhanced visual appeal
Toyota
Etios Cross orange version
Venue: the Toyota stand at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida. Time:
February reveals a souped up version of its family hatchback – the Etios Liva.
Cut to May 2014. Venue: A hotel in Navi Mumbai not too far from the Mumbai-Pune
highway. I found myself in the company of familiar faces from the automotive
journalist junta for we had all gathered for a preview of the Etios Cross.
Essentially, the Etios Cross is no
different from the Etios Liva under its skin. But at the epidermis level
there’s a lot to distinguish the former from the latter. And when I say “a lot”
I mean “a lot” of cladding. Up front there’s an exaggerated front bumper with a
skid plate. Move to the sides and there’s cladding with silver accents on the
fenders and doors. Toyota have also thrown in a pair of silver roof-rails. At
the rear again there is that exaggerated bumper with silver cladding and the
name Etios Cross embossed in large silver lettering. Additionally, there are
15-inch alloy wheels and a two-tone rear spoiler. Together, these additions to
the Etios’ styling are meant to enhance its rugged exterior and give it a macho
feel. There is also a new colour scheme on offer. Toyota call it ‘inferno
orange’.
Toyota
Etios Cross White On Road
The cabin of the Etios Cross will be
familiar to anyone who has ever been inside either the Etios or the Etios Liva.
Everything is pretty much the same in terms of design. The Cross continues with
the centrally mounted instrument cluster. Toyota seem to have worked on the
look and feel of the interior of the Etios Cross and as a result the cabin is a
nicer place to be in than before with better quality plastics being used than
in the regular Etios. In line with Toyota’s marketing brochure, the interior of
the Etios Cross does feel nicer than the regular car’s. What’s missing, though,
are electric ORVMs, which have to be manually adjusted from the inside. The
Etios continues to offer all the rest of the features – driver’s seat height
adjust, tilt adjust for the steering wheel, power windows, air-con, cooled
glove-box and a music system with Bluetooth connectivity, Aux-in and USB port.
Toyota
Etios Cross Front View & Head Lights
Etios Liva benefits in a better looking
package is what the Cross offers
Space-wise, the Cross is a decently roomy vehicle. But then that’s
unsurprising really since the Etios Liva itself is also quite spacious. Boot
space too is quite good and it will hold enough luggage for the family weekend
trip without the need to fix a rack to the roof-rails.
