Toyota Platinum Etios Road Review

The Toyota Etios sedan has been immensely popular in the commercial market (taxi segment) in India, but was never revered as a passenger car. The company recently launched the Platinum Etios with mild updates all round to make it more appealing to the private buyer. At first sight the sedan does look more sporty and chic with just the right amount of chrome all around to bring about resurgence in the lifespan of this sedan.

The front sports a redesigned front bumper with fog lamps housed in chrome casings and a new V shaped grille. At the rear, the sedan gets a reworked bumper with a fat chrome slab and a boot lid spoiler. The Platinum Etios also gets a new set of 15’ diamond cut alloys. At first glance the changes are not very obvious but spend a minute or two with this sedan and its fresh design changes will become apparent. While the Platinum Etios does look a little sportier than before, it may not just be enough to compete with segment leaders who offer a more contemporary design.

What Toyota has always scored top points for is their exceptional build quality and finish. The Platinum Etios is no exception to this. It gets exceptional fit and finish along with a providing a very sturdy ride. The cabin has also received a few updates and the quality of materials does feel better but could do with a little more improvement. Toyota has also added new colour upholstery options and has marginally improved the NVH (Noise Vibrations Harshness) on the Platinum Etios.

What remains unchanged on the sedan is the power train options of a 1.5L petrol engine and a 1.4L diesel mill. We got our hands on the 1.5L, 4-cylinder, petrol variant which has been mated to a 5-speed transmission. The engine produces 88.7hp at 5600rpm and 132Nm of torque at 3000rpm. Smoothness is what defines this motor from Toyota. The acceleration is linear and gradual, letting you cruise through city streets in a relaxed manner. If you decide to floor the accelerator, you will be greeted with an incredibly leveled power delivery, which feels peppy as the vehicle gets going with ease. Given the amount of space within the cabin and in the boot, the Platinum Etios is ideal for intercity transit and weekend excursions.

The ride on the Platinum Etios also feels solid and planted, aided by a McPherson Strut in the front and a Torsion Beam in the rear, this sedan does offer a fine and balanced ride over the varying Indian road terrain. It’s the deep ditches and steep bumps one needs to be careful of, due to a mildly stiff suspension. Braking performance on the Platinum Etios is quite good, it is facilitated by a ventilated disc upfront and a drum setup in the rear. The brakes get a healthy bit and give this sedan adequate stopping power. Even while driving at high speed not only does the ride feel planted but thanks to the addition of ABS as standard fitment the sedan also provides tassel free motoring.

The Platinum Etios offers customers a host of handy features which includes electrically foldable and retractable ORVMs, parking sensors, steering mounted controls, Bluetooth integration, a part digital part analogue speed-o-meter, bench folding rear seats, ISOFIX mounts, rear seat centre armrest, and standard front airbags for the drive and co-passenger. The sedan is available at an ex-showroom Delhi price of Rs. 7.85 lakh, which in our opinion is a decent bargain considering the value for money on offer. All the updates and tweaks made on the Platinum Etios should put it on a path to resurgence and entice the private buyer.