Toyota Etios

                                                         

                                                         

   

                                                          Toyota's new budget car with a smile :-)

Finally it's here! A replacement for the legendary Toyota Tazz. It has been many years since the "starter pack" car was discontinued and it left quite a gap in the market for Toyota, but this month Toyota launched their new "budget car" the Etios. It is available in both Hatch and Sedan models and with a starting price of R115 000 it is ready to take the South African market by storm.

So what exactly does this new "friendly" toyota have to offer?

Well here are the engine specs

Model	Engine	Power@rpm	torque@rpm	0–100 km/h acceleration	Top speed	Transmission	Mileage
1.5 2NR-FE	1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) I4 16V DOHC	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @5600	132 N·m (97 lb·ft) @3100	11.6s	175 km/h (109 mph)	5-speed manual	17.75 km/l

The engine was designed specifically for the Etios which was originally sold in India exclusively. After it was so well received in India, it has now been brought to South Africa. The Etios is certainly not one of Toyota's classiest or more stylish of their line. It does not have the sexy lines of the Yaris and Auris, or the pure class or the new Corolla, and it may not be a cute as the Aygo but what it lacks in looks in makes up for in price.

Toyota's have a very good reputation in South Africa for hard working reliable cars and the Etios is no exception. So where you could get a smaller, more fuel efficient hatch for the same price, I feel this is a fantastic deal.

It is the perfect car for anyone, it has space for families but small enough for students. It is comfortable, reliable and lets face it, it has a great smile