Toyota Etios Cross

The Etios Cross is a crossover by Toyota Kirloskar Motors. The Etios has been a flagship vehicle for the automaker, and has been launched as a sedan, as a hatchback and as an electric vehicle, now TKM has launched the crossover version of the Etios – the Etios Cross.

EXTERIOR
The Etios Cross is built on Etios Liva’s platform. The front fascia of the Etios Cross sports a massive bull bar style radiator grille, a new and revised bumper with black cladding on the lower half of the car, along with a bash plate and fog lamp housing with vertically stacked indicators. The side profile also features black cladding but with Etios Cross written on it, along with roof rails and blacked-out B-pillar. At the rear, it features more matte cladding and a dual tone rear spoiler.

INTERIOR
The interiors of the Etios Cross resemble to those of the Etios or Etios Liva, albeit with a few changes, like the new instrument cluster which is in piano black finish and centrally placed on the dash, along with round AC vents, in-built music system and multi-functional steering wheel with controls mounted for audio/telephony. Also the fit-finish of the materials used and upholstery have been improved, and now it feels premium.
There is adequate leg/shoulder/head room for all occupants and, the seats feel comfortable but the rear row is not too comfortable for people with a height of 6ft.
The comfort & convenience features include air-conditioning with heater and clean air filter, power windows with driver side auto down, electric power assisted steering with tilt function, central locking, glove box cooling, front cabin lights, 12V front power outlet, adjustable front & rear headrests, height adjustable driver seat, rear defogger, digital tachometer, audio system with remote, digital trip meter, speakers and electrically adjustable ORVMs.

ENGINE, PERFORMANCE, RIDE, HANDLING & SAFETY
The Toyota Etios Cross is offered in both petrol & diesel trims, and two powertrain options for the petrol variant – 1.2L & 1.5L.
While the 1.2L 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC EFi petrol engine which churns out 80Ps of power delivers a peak torque of 104Nm and comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. While the 1.5L 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC EFi petrol engine which churns out 90Ps of power delivers a peak torque of 132Nm and comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
On the other hand, the diesel variant is powered by a 1.4L 4-cylinder 8-valve SOHC D-4D CRDi engine, which churns out 68Ps of power and a peak torque of 170Nm, and comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The ride and handling is also sorted with McPherson strut suspension in the front and torsion beam suspension at the rear.
The Etios Cross on 185/60 R15 tubeless tyres.
For braking, the Etios Cross is equipped with ventilated disc brakes in the front and drum brakes at the rear.

CONCLUSION
The Toyota Etios Cross, with Toyota’s reliability, strength and quality along with Etios’ trust, is a good proposition from the Japanese automaker in the crossover segment. The Etios Cross competes with the likes of Volkswagen CrossPolo, Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster.