Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review

parsh · 24th January 2011, 18:38

Thanks @Spectre. It is going to be a test of people's individual likes and dislikes.

I was just talking to one dealer about the cancellations and was told that they had at most 5 cancellations out of 450 they received till date from the launch. So people do seem to inclined to get this one even if it has long waiting times and not-so-good-looks as against the competition.

sidindica · 24th January 2011, 21:39

Pics of Toyota etios' factory audio system. Silver one is from VX and black one is from V.

Mpower · 24th January 2011, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

Pics of Toyota etios' factory audio system. Silver one is from VX and black one is from V.

Who makes it, Nippon? was there any labels?

parsh · 24th January 2011, 22:02

As per info I got, the music system is made by Panasonic.

sidindica · 24th January 2011, 22:02

Panasonic, made in Thailand.

RoadTiger · 24th January 2011, 23:59

Test-drove the Etios.

Positives:
- FUN to drive. Low end torque, fair amount of power on tap, revving is fun
- Requires fewer gear changes and gear shift is short and slick
- Exterior fit and finish is Toyota class
- Paint job is very good
- Looks better in flesh than in pics
- SPACE - lots everywhere - driver footwell, rear legroom, cubbyholes, boot
- Ride quality is very good - nice settled, non-bumpy ride

Negatives
- Steering ... its like a playstation wheel ... actually even lighter ... just NO feel - didnt get the chance to do speeds higher than 80, so not sure of steering behaviour at high speeds - i doubt if it would be any different
- Plastics - the door trim plastic is really low-rent - Even most hatchbacks from a previous era will have better quality. The problem is that the plastic feels hard and thin to feel - so, might be durable but it does not have any FINESSE at all
- No beading on doors - traffic noise does filter through a bit

Overall - looks like this will make for a great, reliable and fun workhorse. For anyone with some sensibility of finesse for the interiors, please look elsewhere.

I suspect the lower variants (at 5 lacs and 5.4 lacs approx) offer unbeatable value combined with reliability. Folks buying the higher value variants (at 6.4 and 6.8 lacs approx) seem to get only a little bit of chrome here and there etc (aside of the safety features) - at 6.8 lacs ex-showroom you expect a little (!!!) more on the interiors!

One more thing - Honestly, if Tata had introduced such interiors instead, they would have been bashed up by now ... Toyota reliability means sab khoon maaf !

idrive4fun · 27th January 2011, 01:29

Looks like that nothing much can be done about the plastics provided inside the car, but could someone clarify if the carpet etc. provided inside the car can be replaced either through the dealer or otherwise ??

danny25 · 27th January 2011, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

Pics of Toyota etios' factory audio system. Silver one is from VX and black one is from V.

What is the price they ask for this ? Thanks.

parsh · 27th January 2011, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny25

What is the price they ask for this ? Thanks.

About 9k for CD (black) and 18k for the DVD (silver) system.

danny25 · 27th January 2011, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by parsh

About 9k for CD (black) and 18k for the DVD (silver) system.

Thanks. These units would be more prone to theft right, considering that there is not removable panel in them ? Am I missing something here ?

parsh · 27th January 2011, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny25

Thanks. These units would be more prone to theft right, considering that there is not removable panel in them ? Am I missing something here ?

It should not be so vulnerable even if there is no removable panel and this should fit more securely than the off-market 2DIN systems. If you will observe from the pics too, the Toyota provided music system comes with the complete integrated facade that integrates pretty well and securely into the central console space provided (although sorry to say the integration still does not look so good when you personally see it, especially the silver DVD one).

vebmetal · 27th January 2011, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny25

Thanks. These units would be more prone to theft right, considering that there is not removable panel in them ? Am I missing something here ?

The system isn't really worth stealing. And if someone steals mine, it would be a nice reason to upgrade

parsh · 27th January 2011, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by vebmetal

The system isn't really worth stealing. And if someone steals mine, it would be a nice reason to upgrade

+1 to that. Thats a good one

indivic · 28th January 2011, 16:54

Guys,

One crazy question, would it be possible to ask the dealer to provide a switch to turn off the power assist when we do not want it e.g when parking we turn it on and when on the highway turn it off, this way we could enjoy the car much better.

I have an eye on the Etios Liva but the toy like steering feel is a turn off.

Surviving Brain · 28th January 2011, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by indivic

Guys,

One crazy question, would it be possible to ask the dealer to provide a switch to turn off the power assist when we do not want it e.g when parking we turn it on and when on the highway turn it off, this way we could enjoy the car much better.

Assuming that you're referring to the power assisted steering, I don't think that it would be possible.

No dealer would be interested in making your dream a reality by messing up the entire electricals, wiring etc.

I might be wrong, so feel free to correct me.

Quote:

One crazy question, would it be possible to ask the dealer to...

Yes, it would be possible to ask this question to the dealer.

Got the drift eh?

24th January 2011, 18:38	#346
parsh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,631 Thanked: 1,368 Times View My Garage	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review Thanks @Spectre. It is going to be a test of people's individual likes and dislikes. I was just talking to one dealer about the cancellations and was told that they had at most 5 cancellations out of 450 they received till date from the launch. So people do seem to inclined to get this one even if it has long waiting times and not-so-good-looks as against the competition.
	() Thanks

24th January 2011, 21:39	#347
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,901 Thanked: 8,350 Times	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review Pics of Toyota etios' factory audio system. Silver one is from VX and black one is from V. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

24th January 2011, 22:02	#349
parsh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,631 Thanked: 1,368 Times View My Garage	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review As per info I got, the music system is made by Panasonic.
	() Thanks

24th January 2011, 22:02	#350
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,901 Thanked: 8,350 Times	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review Panasonic, made in Thailand.
	() Thanks

24th January 2011, 23:59	#351
RoadTiger BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: CityofRocks Posts: 232 Thanked: 480 Times	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review Test-drove the Etios. Positives: - FUN to drive. Low end torque, fair amount of power on tap, revving is fun - Requires fewer gear changes and gear shift is short and slick - Exterior fit and finish is Toyota class - Paint job is very good - Looks better in flesh than in pics - SPACE - lots everywhere - driver footwell, rear legroom, cubbyholes, boot - Ride quality is very good - nice settled, non-bumpy ride Negatives - Steering ... its like a playstation wheel ... actually even lighter ... just NO feel - didnt get the chance to do speeds higher than 80, so not sure of steering behaviour at high speeds - i doubt if it would be any different - Plastics - the door trim plastic is really low-rent - Even most hatchbacks from a previous era will have better quality. The problem is that the plastic feels hard and thin to feel - so, might be durable but it does not have any FINESSE at all - No beading on doors - traffic noise does filter through a bit Overall - looks like this will make for a great, reliable and fun workhorse. For anyone with some sensibility of finesse for the interiors, please look elsewhere. I suspect the lower variants (at 5 lacs and 5.4 lacs approx) offer unbeatable value combined with reliability. Folks buying the higher value variants (at 6.4 and 6.8 lacs approx) seem to get only a little bit of chrome here and there etc (aside of the safety features) - at 6.8 lacs ex-showroom you expect a little (!!!) more on the interiors! One more thing - Honestly, if Tata had introduced such interiors instead, they would have been bashed up by now ... Toyota reliability means sab khoon maaf !
	() Thanks

27th January 2011, 01:29	#352
idrive4fun Newbie Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kolkata Posts: 9 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review Looks like that nothing much can be done about the plastics provided inside the car, but could someone clarify if the carpet etc. provided inside the car can be replaced either through the dealer or otherwise ??
	() Thanks

28th January 2011, 16:54	#359
indivic BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 849 Thanked: 204 Times	Re: Toyota Etios : Test Drive & Review Guys, One crazy question, would it be possible to ask the dealer to provide a switch to turn off the power assist when we do not want it e.g when parking we turn it on and when on the highway turn it off, this way we could enjoy the car much better. I have an eye on the Etios Liva but the toy like steering feel is a turn off.
	() Thanks