Toyota has launched the Etios Cross in India at the 2014 Auto Expo with cosmetic upgrades for a compact and rugged SUV look. The Etios Cross is sharing space with the newly launched Corolla, the new Land Cruiser Prado and the legendary LC200. Stealing the lime light though is the GT86. The Etios Cross is essentially a butch Etios Liva with the additional body cladding to give it rugged and more off-roader appearance. Brazil was the first market to get the Etios Cross, followed now by India.
The Toyota Etios Cross gets a chunky plastic matte black body cladding all over that also carries the embossed Etios Cross moniker. The lower portions of the cladding are finished with a brushed silver finish near the door sills, that continues on the front and rear skid plates. The grille has also been redesigned and features a single split black grille with vertical stacks instead of the smiling chrome grille as seen on the regular Etios Liva. The new inferno orange colour has also been added to the palette for the Etios Cross.
Another differentiating factor is the trapezoidal grille frame that has been integrated with the headlights that looks more like a bull bar. The fog lights also receive silver casing and now feature turn indicators integrated on the ORVM. The hatchback also gets roof rails with the silver finish that can support up to 50 kgs of luggage. The rear remains largely the same, but receives minor changes like the boot lid which receives the Etios Cross moniker and a roof mounted spoiler. The interiors are carried forward from the regular Liva that received an update last year. The Cross variants get a piano black theme on the dashboard with sporty seat fabric and white contrast stitching on the seats and a leather wrapped steering wheel. The car is also equipped with a 2-Din audio and Bluetooth, Aux-in and remote.
The Etios Cross receives new diamond cut alloy wheels for a sportier look while the suspension has been raised improving the ground clearance. Underneath, the Cross is largely the same hatchback and is powered by both the petrol and diesel engines seen on the Liva. Doing duties are the 1.4-litre D4-D engine that produces 68 BHP of power and 170 Nm of torque, whereas the 1.5-litre petrol mill produces 89 BHP of power and 132 Nm of torque and the 1.2-litre petrol mill producing 80 BHP of power are also on offer. All the engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
The ruggedness does come at an additional price and Toyota has positioned the Cross variants above the regular Liva. Prices for the Etios Cross will be announced in May this year. Toyota has commenced the bookings for the Etios Cross and will go head to head with the Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Ford EcoSport when launched in the market.
