The Japanese carmaker Toyota is known for making dependable cars, and that is precisely the reason why it’s one of the most respected automakers in the world. Since the brand’s introduction in India in 2000, the carmaker has brought some of the finest cars in different segments. After the success of the Qualis, the company’s first offering in India, the company launched the Corolla which has been ruling the premium sedan segment since its launch.
The company further raised the bar of comfort, drivability, and cost of ownership with two of its world-class products – Innova and Fortuner. While most carmakers are still struggling to offer the low cost of ownership to buyers, Toyota has set new benchmarks in this department too and this automatically gives Toyota an edge over its rivals.
While the carmaker was doing fairly well in almost all the segments it had its cars, the company wanted a car to achieve volumes and that’s when the Etios was launched in India. Within months of its launch, the Etios became a hit. What worked in its favour are four major factors – safety, comfort, quality and affordability. Though the Etios already had all the ingredients to become a strong contender in the entry-level sedan segment, the company has made it even more desirable by giving it a major update. Launched as Toyota Platinum Etios, the new model has come up with a more contemporary styling, plusher cabin and several first & best-in-class features.
The vehicle has two very well refined engine options – a 1.5-litre petrol (88bhp, 132Nm) and a 1.4-litre diesel (67bhp, 170Nm).
3 things that make the new Toyota Platinum Etios an ideal family car –
1. Safest Car in its League
Toyota is one of the world-renowned carmakers that have a wide fleet of safest cars with advanced accident-avoidance technology and high safety rankings. In the 2016 IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) list of Top Safety Pick Plus, Toyota grabbed the top position with a total of nine Top Safety Pick Plus ratings.
In the Indian automobile industry, Toyota is the first carmaker to standardized ABS (anti-braking system) with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and dual front airbags (for both driver and passenger) safety across all its models and grades. The announcement has been made with the introduction of the new Platinum Etios that brims with all the aforementioned safety equipment. Besides this, the vehicle comes loaded with new dual ISOFIX child seat locks (standard), 5-seats with 3 point ELR (emergency locking retractor ) seatbelts with Pre-tensioner and force limiter (PTFL) for front seats.
While testing on track at a speed over 100kmph, the ABS of the new Platinum Etios performed quite well. In fact, the car did well in all categories, with a 4-star rating for frontal adult occupant and 2-stars for child occupant protection. Furthermore, the improved crumple zones and rear seat with tubular structure enhance safety level of the car. The Toyota Etios Platinum owners can rest ensure that their car will perform well in an accident, with 4-stars safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test. As a matter of fact, it’s the only car in its category with 4 star Global NCAP Crash test.
2. Most Comfortable Car in its Category
Comfort is of the prime importance for a person looking to buy a family car, and sadly there are only a few entry-level sedans that offer you that. Most of those sub-4 metre sedans look compromised and feel congested for a family of five. The Toyota Platinum Etios, on the other hand, is about 270mm longer than all of its rivals and is a genuine 5 seater. Thanks to its optimum length, the vehicle offers the most spacious cabin and the largest boot space in its category. Besides bigger dimensions, the vehicle uses the finest quality fabric for its seats with perfect amount of cushioning, large squabs and well thought-out backrest angle. Features such as adjustable headrests for all passengers, armrest for the rear occupants, leather-finished steering wheel, height adjustable driver seat, steering mounted audio & telephony controls, electrically adjustable and foldable wing mirrors etc further improve the car’s comfort & convenience level.
With all the aforementioned features, the Etios proves to be a perfect family car.
3. Most Dependable Sedan in India
Besides safety and comfort, dependability is yet another factor that one looks for in a family car, and no other car can match the Toyota Etios in this aspect. The reason we say is because of the fact that the Etios secured the number one position in the Most Dependable Car in the Entry Mid-Size Segment in J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2015 India vehicle dependability study. In the study, J.D. Power measured problems of 30 to 42 month old vehicles in 169 different problems across nine categories – exterior & interior, features, driving experience, controls and displays , seats, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) audio & entertainment, engine & transmission. Thanks to Toyota’s trouble-free ownership experience, low cost of maintenance, high resale value and driving comfort, the Toyota Etios scored much above the segment average with minimum problems per 100 cars.
Toyota Platinum Etios – Key Features
– New Front & Rear Bumper
– New Front Grille
– Fog Lamp Bezel
– Rear Chrome garnish with Reflectors
– Foldable rear arm rest
– Best-in-class cabin space
– New Dual Tone Instrument Panel in Black & Ivory
– New seat fabric-Ivory
– New Optitron Combimeter
– Foldable rear seats
– Stadard ABS with EBD across all variants
– Standard driver & front passenger airbags
– Dual ISOFIX child seat locks
– All 5 Seats with 3 point ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor ) Seatbelts
– Pre Tensioner and Force Limiter (PTFL) for front seats.
Note: This is an advertorial piece.
