2019 Toyota Etios Cross Review: An In-Depth Look

Toyota Etios Overview: Top Models

Toyota Etios Cross is available in two trims – G and V that makes as many as four variants.

The Toyota Etios Cross might not be a vehicle that set Toyota’s cash counter ringing but the 5 seater hatchback has a lot of traits that need big applauses of the auto enthusiasts. First debuted at the Auto Expo 2014, the Etios Cross comes off as the brand’s effort to capitalize on the ever-growing buyer’s sentiment towards the SUVs and crossover segment. To know what the Etios Cross has to offer, read on our article on 2019 Toyota Etios Cross Review

Toyota Etios Cross 360 View: Exterior Review

The Etios Cross has quite a unique exterior design. With the company’s foray to cash in the customers’ sentiments towards the compact SUVs segment, the Etios Cross comes as a distractive rugged-looking cross-hatchback car of India. In fact, the Toyota Etios Cross looks much like the Etios Liva hatchback which has hit the gym to bulk up a bit more. In other words, Toyota has taken the sedate-looking silhouette of the Etios Liva, embarked on the steroid cycle, put it on with a host of SUV-ish bits then brought in the Etios Cross.

Front View

Toyota Etios Cross gets a sharp bold front face with a chunky silver grille guard mixed with some bulk-up bits like thick black plastic body claddings running all the ways from its chin to the rear, bulging out a bit on the wheel arches. The grille itself comprises of the vertically-placed slats, improving the aggressive look of the model. Heavy faux skid plates are utilized on the lower part of the front bumper as parts of the SUV-ish package. To tell the truth, photos might not really complement the Etios Cross for some extent, the cross-hatch looks way better when we look at the car in person.

Side View

The major highlight on the side profile of the Etios Cross, as we’ve already said, the black cladding which has been bulged out a little over the wheel arches combined with silver side skirts, all the ways to complement the sophisticated 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The black claddings also roll out a good visual effect with the blacked-out B-pillars and ORVMs of the vehicle. The bulk hatchback also comes with roof rails that add more to the crossover-ish quotient of the model.

Rear View

Parallel with the front, the rear fascia of the Etios Cross features thick silver skid plates as well. Rear roof spoiler and rear bumper claddings are some other notable features on the rear profile of the vehicle.

Toyota Etios Cross Dimensions: Length, Width, Height & More

Being a jazzed-up Etios Liva, the Etios Cross is bigger than the Etios Liva by marginal level. Check out the Toyota Etios Cross dimensions in the table below:

The Toyota Etios Cross measures 3,895 mm long, 1,735 mm wide, 1,555 mm high along with the wheelbase of 2,640 mm. From this, it is exactly 120 mm longer, 45 mm wider and 40 mm taller than the Toyota Etios Liva.

Toyota Etios Cross Design: Interior Review

The Toyota Etios Cross features quite a familiar cabin. In fact, it could be a bit of disappointment for the Toyota’s buyers as there’s nothing spicing up on the inside of the Etios Cross, especially when compared with other modern competitors in its segment. Other than that, the instrument cluster of the Etios Cross is rather uneasy for the driver to read. The quality design is enhanced over the previous-gen models but it’s not enough to meet Toyota’s acclaimed standards. This is not a blaming game but these are the biggest shortcomings that need to be addressed soon if Toyota wants to keep the Etios Cross more competitive in the segment.

On the bright side, the cabin looks much better with piano black treatments on the dashboard, seats and door handles. The flat-bottom steering looks sporty and up to the game. The black fabric seats feature “Etios Cross” logo stitching on the back. The switches and knobs look cool and easy to use.

Seating Capacity

The Toyota Etios Cross has a seating capacity of five occupants. The rear seats of the car are quite comfortable to accommodate three passengers on the go.

Comfort Features

The Etios Cross offers quite an interesting list of comfort & convenience features including power steering with tilt function, cooled glove box, front cabin light, front 12V power outlet, adjustable front and rear headrest, height-adjustable driver seat, rear defogger, digital tachometer, large dual-DIN audio system, digital trip meter, 4-speaker sound system among others. That said, it could be another let-down for the domestic car buyers when touchscreen infotainment system is given a miss on the Etios Cross.

Safety and Security Features

The Toyota Etios Cross scores very well in terms of safety. The 5-seater car is equipped with dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt with pre-tensioner and force limiters, child restraint system, engine immobilizer, keyless entry, driver and passenger seatbelt warning, headlamps on warning, door ajar warning, reverse parking sensors and speed alert, all of which are standard across the variants of the model.

Toyota Etios Cross Performance: Engine Review

On the mechanical front, the Toyota Etios Cross has both petrol and diesel engine options underneath its bonnet. Toyota has done a wise thing of bringing on three engines for the Etios Cross’s customers to choose from including a 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre petrol motor and a 1.4-litre diesel burner on tap. As for the engine availability by grade, the 1.2-litre DOHC gasoline engine is available in the G trim, the 1.5-litre petrol mill is offered with the V trim only. The 1.4-litre diesel engine is on offer with both two trim-levels.

The 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine in base G trim delivers 80 PS of max power and 104 Nm of peak torque. The 1.5-litre gasoline unit borrowed from the Etios TRD is more powerful. It belts out 90 PS and 132 Nm of torque, giving enough grunt for the car in both highway and city commutes. Moreover, the most appreciated engine on the Etios Cross should be the 1.4-litre SHOC diesel motor unit which propels 68 PS of power and 170 Nm of torque.

Although the power output of this mill is rather model, it thrusts out a good performance on both city and highway duties. The turbo lag is kept at bay and more importantly, it is very efficient when talking about the fuel efficiency. Scroll down to see the exact fuel economy figure of the Etios Cross.

The grouse on the mechanical package of the Etios Cross is that it is available with a mere 5-speed manual transmission for both three engine options.

Toyota Etios Cross Mileage: Is it fuel efficient?

The Toyota Etios Cross is really fuel efficient. That said, apart from the ample space, the Etios Cross very excels in efficiency, especially for its 1.4-litre diesel model. The Toyota Etios Cross fuel mileage is rated at 17.71 kmpl for the petrol-manual version and 23.59 kmpl for the diesel manual version.

Toyota Etios Cross Price: Is It Affordable?

The Toyota Etios Cross is quite an affordable crossover-hatch that is currently priced from Rs 6.50 to Rs 8.02 Lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The on-road price of the Etios Cross stands at around Rs 7.41 Lakh and Rs 9.19 Lakh, depending upon the variants.

With this price range, the Etios Cross commands a premium of Rs 1.16 Lakh over the Etios Liva conventional hatchback. However, the plain dashboard of the car is a minus point as many other vehicles do offer enough and even exceed the expectation with their functional and sophisticated dashboards in the same price range. In brief, the Toyota Etios Cross sounds deadening to meet the current price targets of the competition in India.

Toyota Etios Cross Colours: How Many Options?

The Etios Cross is available in seven colour options including Vermilion Red, White, Inferno Orange, Celestial Black, Symphony Silver, Harmony Beige and Classic Grey.

Verdict: Is Toyota Etios Cross Worth Buying?

The Toyota Etios Cross acts as a good alternative to other conventional hatchback cars in India, given the increasing affinity of buyers for compact SUVs. If you are ready to compromise on the touchscreen infotainment system and some other equipment as well as the quality and NVH level, the Etios Cross has a great muscularity, roominess, capable engine, acceptable handling and good warranty package to compensate for you. All in all, the Toyota Etios Cross is worth your consideration if you are in the market for a funky crossover-styled hatch offering.