The trend of taking an entry-level
hatchback, beefing up the looks and creating a mini-crossover hasn't escaped
that most conservative of manufacturers, Toyota. The result is the Etios Cross.
Like others in this segment, it's for those who want a car to reflect their
adventure lifestyles – think Renault Sandero Stepway, our long-termer GWM C20R
and the VW Polo Vivo Maxx – but can't quite stretch to a small SUV such as the
Renault Duster or Daihatsu Terios.
First and foremost, it has to look the part
to appeal to potential buyers. To this end, Toyota has afforded the Cross black
cladding that goes almost halfway up the body, 15-inch wheels, roof rails and a
rear spoiler. While the result can't be called handsome, it certainly turns
heads and looks capable of tackling more than just smooth tarmac (which is
exactly the point of the cosmetic add-ons).
Black
and silver cladding beef up the Etios's look
Inside, the Cross's cabin is trimmed in
dark materials, which extend to the cloth covering for the seats and
piano-black finishing surrounding the audio and air-conditioning controls. I
found the layout a tad fussy, but nothing that users won't get used to with
extended exposure. Fit and finish are also basic, but the cabin feels solid
enough. At a claimed measurement of 251 dm3, the luggage capacity just about
matches those of its competitors.
The Cross is powered by Toyota's well-known
16-valve 1.5-litre petrol engine that develops 66 kW and 132 Nm. The revvy
powerplant is mated with a five-speed manual transmission and, as a result, the
Etios gets going quickly and easily keeps up with traffic.
The short gearing keeps the engine close to
its torque peak, but does make cruising at higher freeway speeds a buzzy
affair.
Fuel consumption is often a big
consideration for buyers in this segment, and they shouldn't be unduly
disappointed with the Cross's performance. Toyota claims a combined-cycle
figure of 6.0 litres/100 km. Our fuel index (that figure plus 20%) pegs it at
7.2 litres/100 km which, on a full fuel tank of 45 litres, could see the range
extend to 625 km.
The
cabin comes equipped with air-con, electric windows and a Bluetooth-compatible
audio system
The varied-surface launch route really
tested the dynamics and handling of the vehicle. The steering is a bit vague,
but the power assistance feels spot-on. There's some roll through the corners,
but overall, the Cross feels composed considering its budget-car roots.
Thanks to the compact dimensions (3,893 mm
long, 1,553 mm high, 1,734 mm wide, set on a wheelbase of 2,460 mm), when we
returned to Johannesburg's urban confines, the Cross was a breeze to pilot on
the city's congested streets.
A big selling point of this vehicle is
undoubtedly its lengthy list of standard equipment. This includes
air-conditioning, power windows all around with a driver-side one-touch
function, remote central locking, foglamps, an audio system with radio, CD, USB
and auxiliary connections and Bluetooth connectivity, and ABS with EBD
supplemented by dual airbags.
Roof
rails and a rear spoiler adds to the "off-roader" look
All of this, along with a standard
two-year/30,000 km service plan, means that Toyota is serious about this niche
segment. The Cross also happens to be the cheapest of the mainstream small
crossovers, undercutting the Renault Sandero Stepway (by a measly $10, granted)
and the VW Polo Vivo Maxx (by $1,790).
I predict that it will shake up this
segment and sell in droves, even though the two mentioned competitors arguably
offer more space and sophistication.
