Introduction:

Toyota first showcased the Etios Liva at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Since then , the hatchback has generated enough feedback from prospective customers and ever since the Etios sedan was rolled out , we were waiting patiently for its hatchback sibling. However , due to the Tsunami in Japan , there happened to be a delay in the launch of the car but finally today , ie , on 27^th June , the Japanese giant officially revealed the Liva hatchback to the public including its pricing.

Looks and design:

Like is the case with the Swift and Swift DZire , or Indica and the Indigo , the Etios Liva too looks exactly like the Etios sedan though without the boot. Further , the Liva’s wheelbase is shorter by 90mm. The overall paint quality and fit and finish on the outside is superb. Panel gaps are consistent and the Liva looks quite smart with enough cute design lines. Infact , the top end version gets body kits including skirts and spoiler and this adds a touch of sportiness to the whole design. The Liva VX surely looks outstanding though gets beaten on the dimension front by some of its rivals and hence doesn’t have that massive a road presence. The front end is elegant with a typical Toyota ‘smile’ design emphasized by the grille. The front bumper has a huge air-dam for the radiator. The side profile is rather bland while the rear did remind some of us of the Nissan Micra and the Maruti A-Star. Overall , the Liva is One of the better looking hatchbacks in India and surely an eye catcher on the road.
Interiors:

The Etios’ strong point is the interior space. Same is the case with the Liva too. Infact , even with the front seat adjusted for my height (I’m 6 feet tall) , there was enough knee space at the rear for average adults. The cabin is roomy and the Liva should do well for an average Indian family. The rear floor is also flat which helps easy passenger movement. The design of the fascia is same as the Etios which means you get lot of storage spaces , a centrally placed speedometer console and good ergonomics. The design of the air-con vents is unique and it functions well too. The steering feels meaty to hold and the quality of plastics used on the inside is above industry average. What really goes in favour of the Liva is the practicality. For example , the glove box can take in enough 500ml water bottles in addition to seven other bottle slots on the inside. The top end model gets jazzy black and red seats and upholstery for added bling. The music system has a remote and is of the “2 DIN DVD” variety with steering wheel mounted controls – available on top end models. One let down here is the limited boot space at just 251 litres.
Engine and power-train

The Liva is powered by Toyota’s 3NR-FE engine in a 1.2-litre configuration. This is an all-new engine developed by the company for the Liva and generates 80PS of power along with 104Nm of torque. These figures are on par with other cars in the segment. Icing on cake is the best in class ARAI certified fuel economy of 18.3kmpl. With this , expect Liva to return 13-14kmpl easily in real world driving conditions. The engine is very strong in the low and mid-range punch and this is what is needed for City commuting. Infact , this makes the Liva a joy to drive in city. However , NVH (noise , vibration , harshness) levels aren’t the best around and the engine makes itself felt at high revs. Ditto for the wind and road noise at highway speeds. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox with smooth and precise shift action. Toyota officials have confirmed that as of now , they have no concrete plans to roll out a diesel variant of the Liva.

Suspension – ride and handling

Another positive trait that the Liva carries over the Etios sedan is its fantastic ride and handling package. Infact , the first rough patch that i drove over had me impressed. The way the Liva absorbs bad roads with ease is something that needs appreciation. This is one area where most of the rivals lack. With the kind of roads our country has during and after the monsoons , the Liva surely will bring a smile on the faces of its owners. The perfect ride balance doesn’t come at the cost of handling. We repeatedly drove this little Toyota in a spirited manner on both straight and curvy roads and found its poise and balance very positive. The light steering is of great use at parking speeds and weighs up very well as the speeds rises. In a nutshell , the Liva surely has one of the best ride and handling packages among the small cars in India today. The VX trim level that we drove comes with 185/60R15 tyres while the lower J and G versions come shod with 175/65R14 wheels.

Value for money and features

The Toyota Etios Liva range starts at Rs 3.99 lakh , ex-showroom , New Delhi. This is for the J version that frankly is under-equipped. There are no power steering or power windows or even a tachometer. The next version , G retails for Rs 4.59 lakh is decently equipped. The top VX version with all the bells and whistles sells for Rs 5.99 lakh (ex-showroom , Delhi). This pricing makes the Liva more or less as expensive (or cheap) as cars like the Maruti Ritz , Nissan Micra and Hyundai i20. However , the Liva packs in great brand value , very spacious and practical interiors and a gem of an engine. At the same time , there are little downfalls like a small boot , no height adjust for driver’s seat and average NVH levels. And ofcourse it lacks a diesel option that is now becoming preferred oil for new consumers. That said , the Liva , at this price , is a commendable product from Toyota and is all set to keep its dealers and manufacturing plant very busy for the coming few months.

Pros: Space , ease of driving , value for money , practical

Cons: Boot space , Engine sound intrudes into the cabin at high revs , no diesel

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