The New Toyota Etios Liva Review — We Get Behind The Wheel Of Toyota’s Updated Hatchback

Updated: Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 15:27 [IST]

The Toyota Etios Liva is the Japanese carmaker's first hatchback in the Indian market. It was launched back in 2011 and is based on the Etios sedan. The carmaker recently refreshed both vehicles, the Etios Sedan and the Etios Liva for the Indian market, and the car has undergone a lot of changes, in terms of looks and few essential running bits.

Also Read: New Toyota Etios Platinum Review

The Etios Liva was never popular among customers looking for a family car because it the first choice when it comes to taxis. Now, Toyota has changed the way the Liva will be looked at — or has it? Let's find out.

Model Tested: Toyota Etios Liva VX

The New Toyota Etios Liva Review — We Get Behind The Wheels Of Toyota’s Updated Hatchback

New Toyota Etios Liva Design

The car has definitely received a much-needed makeover. Toyota has redesigned the front bumpers and the grille, which uplifts the overall design of the car. Moving towards the rear, the design theme has been extended, giving the car a very sporty look. Toyota has ditched the chrome icing for the front grille, and has stuck to a plain black finish.

Apart from the visual difference, the car's overall dimension is the same and Toyota has worked on reducing NVH levels inside the car, which makes driving the car a pleasure. Toyota has given the new Liva a set of very well designed alloy wheels that add to the car's overall sportiness.

Engine On The New Toyota Etios Liva

The new Etios Liva has had no change in terms of engine specifications. The car will be sold with the 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops 79bhp and 104Nm of peak torque, and the 1.-4-litre diesel engine that makes 67bhp and 170Nm of torque. Both engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

On the mileage front, Toyota claims 18.16km/l from the petrol powered Liva, and 23.59km/l from the diesel engine.

Ride And Handling On The New Etios Liva

The Toyota Etios Liva is a very good handling car. Although the hatchback has limited power, it is entirely usable. The new Liva did surprise us, because Toyota has managed to tweak up the suspension setting and that has made the good handling car a great handling car.

The ride is slightly on the stiffer side and comfortable at the same time. The car is a delight to drive on twisty roads, but we had were a couple of sharp corners that the car handled with ease, flat out in second gear. One unfortunate thing was the mileage test, which we could not determine owing to the short drive.

Features And Creature Comforts On The New Etios Liva

The first eyecandy one is treated to is the new colour theme of the interior. The dash and doors are finished in Black and Ivory. The seats are finished in a new fabric, which makes the car feel premium. The instrument console is now semi digital and is finished in Black as well, while the warning lights are better placed compared to the previous model. The meter console's brightness can be adjusted too.

The car is loaded with enough features, keeping in mind the price bracket and segment it falls under. The new Toyota Etios Liva comes with a 2-DIN music player, all four power windows, electronically adjustable and foldable outer rear view mirrors, redesigned meter console, armrests for the rear seat, and height adjustable head rests for all five occupants.

Safety Features On The New Etios Liva

Toyota has kept safety in mind first. The carmaker has made Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and dual front airbags standard across variants. All three occupants in the rear have three point seat belts and Toyota has offered ISOFIX anchors as well, something that hatchbacks in India lack.

The ABS worked brilliantly as we put the car to its test on Toyota's test track. We managed to steer away safely while locking the brakes at over 100km/h.

Verdict — Is The New Toyota Etios Liva Worth The Money?

The new Etios Liva looks great, drives well, handles really good, and is loaded in terms of features and safety — which India will be looking for soon, as the government is making some safety features mandatory.