Toyota
calls it a cross and nobody in India really knows what a cross means. Anything
masculine looking is called an SUV and anything small that looks like an SUV is
called a compact SUV. The Etios Cross is not an SUV, yet you cannot help
looking at it and saying, “Hey, that’s a compact SUV”.
Well,
it’s just an Etios Liva hatchback, made to wear a handsome armour made of
plastic. When we got our hands on an Etios Cross, the first thing that struck
me was, why not indulge in some off-roading. By jove! It did behave well and
its suspensions and engine power did not disappoint me.
The
Etios Cross comes with three engine options—a 1.4 litre diesel (1364cc), a 1.5
litre petrol (1496cc) and a 1.2 litre petrol (1197cc). There will be two
variants of the diesel version and one each of the two petrol engine versions.
The dual SRS airbag (for driver and co-passenger) will be available in the 1.5
litre petrol variant (V) and the top end diesel variant (VD). No airbags for
the 1.4 litre petrol variant (G) and the lower variant of the diesel (GD). The
G variant will also not have an ABS with EBD.
The
car’s bound to excite the younger generation looking out for some fun in life.
Everything macho appeals to the modern world, and there is no reason why the
Etios Cross will not excite the youth. Apart from a masculinity angle, it’s a
small car and easy to handle and easy to park.
The
Cross comes with a lot of smart plastic claddings with silver accents,
impressive front bumper with skid plate, roof rails, side turn signals
integrated with fog lamps and 15inches alloy wheels.
All
the plastic frills add to the dimensions of the Etios Liva resulting in the Cross
becoming 120mm longer, 40mm wider and 45mm taller than the standard Liva. For
those hankering for mileage, the diesel engine offers a mileage of around
23.59kmpl while 1.5 litre petrol offers 16.78kmpl and the 1.2 litre petrol, a
17.71kmpl.
While
every car maker in the country is trying to redefine the SUV space with SUV
clones of all shapes and sizes, Toyota wants to be different by naming the
Etios an Etios Cross! We wait for the prices now...
Photography: Mohd. Nasir