Toyota Etios (2012-2020) Buyer’s Guide

Does the Toyota Etios represent a smart 2nd-hand purchase? Let’s examine this Indian-made budget car’s strengths and weaknesses, and see what you are likely to pay for a good example of the model in the South African used-vehicle market…

When the final Conquest-based Tazz rolled off the production line at Toyota South Africa Motors’ Prospecton plant in mid-2006, there was suddenly a bit of a gap in the Japanese manufacturer’s local model line-up. As a result, Toyota lost a fair chunk of market share towards the very bottom of the passenger-vehicle space. The answer? The Toyota Etios, even though it took a full 6 years to arrive!

Judging by pure sales volumes, it was certainly the right answer. Like the Tazz, the Etios – which was available not only in 5-door hatchback guise, but also in 4-door sedan form – was positioned in the so-called sub-B-segment (though it was new from the ground up rather than a prolonged-lifecycle model). At launch, this entry-level model slotted in below the B-segment Yaris of the era and, while similarly priced to the Aygo, it offered oodles more space than its A-segment sibling.

The Etios was designed specifically for emerging markets (and was thus endowed with softly sprung suspension to handle pockmarked roads), with its chief rival being the strong-selling Volkswagen Polo Vivo. However, unlike its German competitor (and the Tazz), the Etios was sourced from India rather than built locally, with the Prospecton facility at that point having turned its attention to the Hilux and Fortuner.

Though the Etios was also manufactured in Brazil and Indonesia, Indian production ceased in March 2020, owing largely to new emissions regulations in that market. The Starlet – effectively a rebadged Suzuki Baleno (also built in India) – replaced the Etios in South Africa in September 2020, with Toyota claiming the latter had achieved an average 22% share of the sub-B-segment over its 8-year lifecycle.

As an aside, the Etios enjoyed numerous successful campaigns in the SA National Rally Championship, first competing in the R2 class, then in the R2N class and finally as an all-paw contender in the R4 class.  

Toyota Etios model line-up in South Africa

The Etios was revealed in concept form at the Auto Expo in New Delhi in early 2010 and the production version did not look much different to the showpiece. However, the range arrived in South Africa only in May 2012, with all derivatives employing a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine driving the front axle via a 5-speed manual gearbox. At launch, the line-up comprised the following 4 variants:

• Etios 1.5 Xi Hatchback (66 kW/132 Nm)
• Etios 1.5 Xs Hatchback (66 kW/132 Nm)
• Etios 1.5 Xi Sedan (66 kW/132 Nm)
• Etios 1.5 Xs Sedan (66 kW/132 Nm)

Around a year later, with nearly 25 000 units having already been sold in South Africa, Toyota rolled out the 1st of what would be regular updates. Styling tweaks included a redesigned grille, restyled taillamps and a range-wide body-colour finish for the exterior door handles and side-mirror caps (a treatment previously reserved for the Xs trim level). Inside, Xs derivatives scored new front seats, complete with adjustable headrests as well as height adjustment for the driver’s perch (Xi variants, meanwhile, kept the original pews with integrated headrests).

This June 2013 update also included reprofiled rear seats as well as blue backlighting for the instrument cluster. In addition, Xs derivatives featured an auto-up function for the driver’s electric window, a new double-DIN audio system (Xi variants instead made do with “pre-wiring” for speakers) and a chrome-effect finish for the ventilation controls and gear knob. Finally, Toyota swapped from rubber to hydraulic engine mounts, modified the silencer and retuned the dampers in a bid to improve overall refinement.

In July 2014 (with local sales well past the 45 000-unit mark at that point), the Etios Cross made landfall as the new range-topper; it was based on the Xs hatch but gained extra features (such as roof rails) and divisive model-specific styling. Interestingly, the Cross didn’t benefit from a hike in ride height, but was instead set apart by its conspicuous powder-grey “grille guard”, enlarged foglamps, fresh headlight clusters, unique taillamps, scuff plates (fore and aft) and chunky black plastic cladding (complete with embossed “Etios Cross” logos) extending virtually halfway up the doors. The Cross furthermore wore a roof spoiler and rode on 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

The limited-edition Etios Sport hatch joined the local range in October 2014, donning a body kit comprising a front spoiler, side skirts, faux rear diffuser, roof spoiler and “Sport” badging. Just 200 units of the derivative were produced; each of which was fitted with 15-inch alloys and a Bluetooth-enabled audio system. Further minor upgrades were implemented to the range in May 2015, when Xs derivatives were handed new seat upholstery, as well as Bluetooth. At this point, all hatchbacks gained a lift function for the luggage compartment cover, while Jet Grey Metallic was added to the colour palette.

Another update followed in March 2017, with the Xs trim level replaced by a new Sprint specification. The latter was distinguished by its fresh front-end styling and tweaked rear-bumper design, resulting in an increase in overall length (by 109 mm in the case of the hatch and 104 mm for the sedan). New twin-spoke 15-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 185/60 R15 rubber) and a faux-carbon-fibre “Sprint” badge completed the package. The entry-level Xi grade soldiered on largely unchanged, although it gained a colour-coded grille with chrome accents.

The Sport nameplate returned in May 2018, again limited in number but now with a black roof and pillars (paired with either a Glacier White or Retro Red body), as well as a black finish for the grille, side-mirror caps and rear spoiler. Again available exclusively in hatchback guise, the 2nd iteration of the Etios Sport furthermore borrowed the Cross variant’s 15-inch alloy wheels.

Around the same time, all Etios derivatives gained a new orange-lit instrument cluster featuring a digital partial-sweep tachometer and a full-sweep speedometer. Entry-level Xi variants also finally received electric windows at the rear. The final update came in April 2019, when the complete Etios range was handed an “upgraded” security system, including an alarm and immobiliser.

What are the advantages of a Toyota Etios?

Space for the price: Like its fellow sub-B-segment contenders, the Toyota Etios offered B-segment space at an A-segment price. Passenger room was generous fore and aft, while the sedan boasted one of the most capacious luggage compartments in the segment – its boot was able to swallow a claimed 595 litres (despite the welcome presence of a full-size spare wheel). That said, the hatchback’s load bay was fairly tight at a claimed 251 litres, though the single-piece rear bench could at least fold down (the sedan’s was initially fixed in place but gained a folding function at the 2017 update).

Uncomplicated powertrain: Throughout its lengthy local lifecycle, the Etios was available with just a single powertrain option: the atmospheric 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol motor (2NR-FE) mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Developed from scratch and “adapted to meet the specific needs of the South African market”, the engine was refreshingly uncomplicated, making it straightforward and relatively inexpensive to service.

Endowed with a larger-than-average capacity for the class, the free-revving mill – which generated 66 kW at 5 600 rpm and 132 Nm at 3 000 rpm – delivered more than sufficient urge considering the Etios’ kerb weight was listed at under a tonne. Claimed fuel consumption, too, was a highlight, coming in at 5.9 L/100 km for the sedan (or, interestingly, a slightly higher 6.0 in the case of the hatch). However, note the 2NR-FE’s recommended service intervals were shorter than the segment average at just 10 000 km.

4-star Global NCAP score: In November 2017, Global NCAP released the results of its 64 kph frontal crash test of the Etios, awarding the entry-level hatchback derivative 4 stars for adult-occupant safety and 3 stars for child-occupant safety. Importantly (and against the norm for many Indian-built budget cars at the time), the bodyshell was rated as “stable” and “capable of withstanding further loadings”.

For the record, all versions of the Etios shipped standard with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD (though just drum brakes at the rear) and pre-tensioners for the front seatbelts. ISOfix child-seat anchors (in the outboard rear positions) appeared on the specification list only from the 2017 update, while the middle-sited rear passenger also gained a 3-point (as opposed to the previous 2-point) seatbelt at that point.

What are the disadvantages of a Toyota Etios?

Clearly built to a budget: While it may seem a little unfair to criticise a budget vehicle for cost-cutting measures, these were perhaps a mite too obvious in the earliest versions of the Etios, which were known to suffer from maladies such as ill-fitting upholstery, misaligned trim and annoying rattles. Hard, scratchy plastics dominated the cabin, while the quality of the carpeting in the load bay (or boot) was particularly poor. That said, the latter complaint was addressed in 2015, while the 2017 refresh brought what Toyota described as a range-wide “upgrade to interior tactile elements, creating a greater feeling of solidity”.

Potential idle issues: Though the 2NR-FE motor was largely trouble-free (when properly maintained, of course), we have heard of numerous local instances of intermittent over-revving with the vehicle at a standstill. This typically presents as a marked surge in engine idle speed, despite no application of the throttle. So, when test driving an Etios, make sure to listen carefully to the idle speed and note any sudden changes in the engine note.

You could be mistaken for an Uber: Owing to its attractive purchase price and generous cabin space, the Etios – particularly in sedan form with that travel suitcase-swallowing luggage compartment – was a regular choice among Uber and other ride-hailing operators (not to mention rental fleets). Its broader popularity furthermore brought a higher risk of theft and thus potentially loftier insurance premiums, though the same could be said of other strong-selling segment rivals.

How much is a used Toyota Etios in South Africa?

At launch, the Etios was offered with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 2-year/30 000 km service plan. However, in May 2018, Toyota SA Motors revised the terms of its standard service plans, switching from the “number of years” parameter to “number of services” instead. As such, the Etios featured a 3-service/30 000 km arrangement from that point.

Of the used Toyota Etios listings on Cars.co.za at the time of writing, the hatchback was unsurprisingly the dominant body style, though the sedan still accounted for a fair 32%. Fascinatingly, the Xs trim level was easily the most popular at 72% of all listings, although it’s worth keeping in mind this includes Sprint variants and Cross derivatives (the latter representing nearly 17% of all Etios derivatives for sale).

Mileages varied from 4 500 km (on a 2020 Etios 1.5 Xs hatch) to nearly 377 000 km (achieved by a 2017 Etios 1.5 Sprint hatchback), while we found another 15 examples each with more than 200 000 km on their respective odometers. Though listings were quite evenly spread by model year, the most common was 2017, closely followed by 2016.

• Below R100 000: While we found a number of vehicles listed in the sub-R100 000 space, most were high-mileage examples. In addition, many featured aftermarket alloys and one even rode on mismatched wheels. Plenty of examples in this part of the market had clearly endured a tough life as fleet- or ride-hailing workhorses.

• From R100 000 to R125 000: On average, used Etios units listed between these pricing bookends looked a little tidier and their indicated mileages were generally lower. Still, this space was dominated by early model-year vehicles, with 2014 being the most common.

• From R125 000 to R150 000: At the time of writing, this was the most densely populated pricing bracket, though the R150 000-plus segment was close behind. Most listings had well under 150 000 km on their respective clocks.

• R150 000 and up: Above the R150 000 mark, we discovered plenty of late model-year examples, mostly in Xs/Sprint and Cross guises (more than 60% of all Cross derivatives were positioned here). Only 5 were priced on the far side of R200 000, with a 2020 Etios Cross 1.5 Xs – which had covered an indicated 7 000 km – the most expensive at R219 900.

Which Toyota Etios should I buy?

So, which model should you buy? Well, your specific requirements (and taste) will determine whether you opt for a traditional hatchback, a cross-hatch or a sedan, while the fact there’s just a single powertrain option simplifies matters somewhat. We’d suggest avoiding the Xi trim level, which throughout its life did without features such as alloy wheels, front fog lamps and driver’s seat-height adjustment, with early versions also missing remote central locking, electric windows, a rear-window demister, a rear-window wiper, an audio system and a tachometer.

That leaves us with the Xs grade and the Sprint specification, which replaced it from 2017. Considering Toyota SA Motors incrementally expanded the list of standard features over this nameplate’s lifecycle (and ostensibly improved refinement and cabin quality levels, too), we’d argue later model years would be best. Naturally, though, these also tend to be the priciest.

Is the Toyota Etios a good used buy?

The main rivals to the Etios were the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, the Ford Figo (both the B517- and the B562-gen models), the 2nd-gen Renault Sandero and the AZG-series Suzuki Swift, with the Etios Cross going up against the Polo Vivo Maxx, Figo Freestyle and Sandero Stepway. Somewhat less-popular alternatives in this budget-friendly space included the Chevrolet Aveo, the Tata Bolt and the Nissan Micra Active.

So, does the Toyota Etios represent a sensible 2nd-hand buy? Well, although this Indian-built model is perhaps a little rough around the edges (and not nearly as polished as the Vivo, for instance), it certainly has proved itself as a tough, durable and dependable product that remains well suited to South African conditions. While the design – inside and out – is arguably not the most attractive, buyers will appreciate the free-revving motor, affordable running costs and commendable safety rating. And, since the Etios was such a strong seller when new, there are plenty to choose from on the used market today.

Looking for a used Toyota Etios to buy?

Find one on Cars.co.za.

Or sell your car here, for no charge.