Can improve further

I took the Etios for a long drive from Cochin - Bangalore through long stretch highways and heavy traffic in bangalore. I find Etios as a decent sedan car at low price, but with lot of improvement areas still left.

Exterior I found the Etios styling quite unique and decent for sedan class at this price. full marks.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) It scores very high on interior space and luggage room. back seat can easily accommodate 3 people and there is enough leg room left even if the front seats are pulled back, thanks to Toyota's new seats which are much thinner, but comfortable as well. I didn't find the head rest very comfortable, the headrest is not separate and is part of the seat. So there is no adjustment possible and my neck started paining after couple of hours. Interiors look very plasticy and is a common concern, controls are very basic as well. A/C is quite good and have very good vents with good air flow. The reverse sensors are quite helpful while reversing.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine performance is almost upto the mark.  Many reviews suggest that it is a city car, but I found it less torquey in cities and always had to push one gear down at low speeds. I enjoyed driving in highways though. I got an average of 13.5 with A/C which included city driving and highways and rough patches.

Ride Quality & Handling Here is where I had major concerns. THe ride is quite comfortable, but even with 170mm ground clearance, Etios touched ground on many humps and some potholes at very very low speeds. At the same time I saw other peer cars like Honda city, Fiesta, etc pass the same hump without any trouble. I had problems with visibilty, especially during rain and nights. the single wiper doesn't stand up to the job quite well.  I don't know if there was a problem with focusing, I can tell you only after next service,  but the head lights were not bright enough for sure like other cars.

Final Words Amazing package at amazing price, but I won't buy it and wait for improvements to happen.

Areas of improvement Improved visibility at night/rain - powerful lights and better wiper, Improved ride over humps/potholes, Adjustable head rests.

Amazing interior space and luggage room, good fuel economy, excellent turning radiuslow ground clearance, poor visibility at night/rain, low quality interior, uncomfy head rest