We drive the Toyota Etios Cross and we like it!
After attending the launch of the new Toyota Etios Cross in the middle of this year (2014), I had some time to drive around with the car in the less-chaotic streets of Cape Town (that is measuring it against Joburg CBD), which made me rethink some of my former statements on this urban crossover.
The Cross has gained some negative feedback from car enthusiasts- concentrating on the look of the car and the question of why Toyota would launch an Etios crossover. Well, as Toyota stated, “The Etios delivers exactly what customers want – car-like efficiency and typical crossover styling traits at an affordable price.” Therefore, Toyota is targeting the youth looking for something more than the normal hatch. The standard Etios hatch costs R136 800, and the Cross hatch costs R159 800.
This car does offer everything a person needs for a comfortable driving experience. The Cross is based on the Etios Xs hatch, so already has electric power steering , aircon, electric windows, rear window demister and wiper, audio system with USB and auxiliary ports, fog lights (which on the Cross come oversized with integrated indicators), remote-controlled central locking, anti-lock brakes, two front airbags and an immobiliser and one very large front wiper.
So, why choose the Cross above the hatch (or sedan)?
The Etios Cross also offers a plastic armour/guard around the edges, revised headlight clusters, re-designed external mirrors with turn indicators, front and rear scrape plates, a roof rail that can handle and a set of 15” alloy rims.
There are a couple of things that let this car down, like the very flimsy wiper and the cabin quality. The materials used felt very plastic and the finishes not as refined as I would have liked. But I don’t suspect these issues will be deal breaker for potential owners.
Then there’s the look of the car. Either you love it, or you hate it. The Etios Cross might not fit everyone’s taste, but I do believe that it serves a certain niche, and even people who don’t necessarily have a liking towards the hatch or sedan (like me), might fancy the Cross.
Overall, on the road it’s a comfortable drive and it does feel and look more premium than the hatch or the sedan. With the Cross’s rugged SUV-type looks (that I quite like) and its manoeuvrability and low fuel consumption of a hatchback, the car is easy and fun to drive.
The Etios goes up against the new Sandero Stepway. Many feel the Stepway is much more bang for your buck. The Stepway’s engine, although producing the same amount of power and only slightly more torque than the Cross, feels like it has more oomph. And it is more fuel efficient, however taste differs and you might end up liking the Cross more. If you are considering either of these two cars, it’s best to test drive both of them.
Under the Cross’s hood there’s a 1.5-litre engine powering the 2014 Toyota Etios with a reasonable 66 kW and 132 N.m. Power is driven to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox which is solid and smooth in operation and the claimed fuel consumption is 6l/100km.
This car is great on the small streets of the city as well as on the long road en route to your holiday destination. If I had to choose between the Etios derivatives, I would without a doubt go for the Cross.
Etios Price Range:
Etios 1.5 Xi Hatch – R127 800
Etios 1.5 Xs Hatch – R136 800
Etios 1.5 Xi Sedan – R134 500
Etios 1.5 Xs Sedan – R143 000
Etios Cross 1.5 – R159 800