Is the tough-looking Etios Cross any less friendly than a hatchback?

We’re all familiar with the Etios – it is Toyota’s budget-buy hatch and sedan, both selling in their thousands, as is the Toyota way.  We’re also familiar with the Cross Polo and Sandero Stepway – high-stance cross-overs hatchbacks.

Humble hatchbacks are crossing over into rugged-looking cars.  Basically it's a normal hatchback that has been toughened up a bit.  Or in the case of the Etios Cross, a lot.  The Cross Polo, its baby brother Polo Vivo Maxx and the Sandero Stepway all retain the basic look of the cars they’re based on, where the modifications are limited to lifting the suspension, adding bigger wheels, and some additional wheel arch or bumper inserts, finished off by giving it the off-roader roof-railed “we’re adventure-seekers” look. 

With the Etios Cross, by contrast, Toyota has just gone all the way, by giving it an integrated “bull-bar” that you'd normally find on a bakkie or SUV.  It gets little headlight triangle inserts to fill the gap and make a bigger headlight.  The front fog lamps with surrounds also create a 4x4-like look.  There was definitely no holding back on the body cladding, applied generously right around the car, complete with engraved Etios Cross branding on the rear doors.  The silver metal-look under-carriage protection plate in front is merely for the off-roadish show, with repeated silver inserts along the sills and in the rear bumper.  Lóóks tough.  Multi-spoke 2-tone gloss-black and sheen-silver alloy wheels are only for the Cross.  The back finishes off the rugged look with bold Etios Cross branding. 

It's not only about the looks.  The Etios Cross might come a-cross as all butch, but it is still an Etios underneath, meaning you get the same fluent friendly drive as the normal hatch, or any small Toyota for that matter… just with seating slightly higher, for a better view.  The higher suspension also feels softer-set than in the standard Etios, as the Cross simply glides over those annoying round metal speed blobs – doesn’t even feel them.  Mmm, so it’s more cross-over underneath, too.  This ride will no doubt make dirt roads comfortable.

Inside, the Cross gets different cloth on its seats, with Etios Cross embroidered lettering on backrests.  The interior is all black, and the cloth is patterned, with stitching to contrast.  The dashboard receives piano black trim panels, and chrome detailing around the air vents.  Comments were heard about the front passenger air vent which leaves a “hole” in the cubbyhole lid when opened. 

Clearly the Etios us being built to the lowest cost.  The electric window switches are not lit, so at night the driver has to feel around in the dark before being able to lower or raise a window.  That’s just being stingy – add some lights, please, Toyota.  Also, the driver’s sun visor has a mirror, but no flap to cover the mirror – this seems insignificant, but with the visor tilted down, the moving reflection just above the line of vision is distracting.  Save a few cents, but not where it is unsafe.

The audio system is also upgraded from the Xs model’s CD with USB and aux by adding Bluetooth phone connectivity.  One irritation with the audio system is the controls – you’ve got a round volume control in the middle, but it’s also the menu… so once you push it to enter the menu, you don’t have volume control, and without audio switches on the steering wheel, it means you need to press a button to regain volume control.  Not clever!

The Etios sets its budget-buy challenge with the 1.5 Xi at R 127 800, moving to the Xs at R 136 800.  Being a Toyota at some of the lowest prices you’ll pay for a new car explains its sales chart position.  The Etios Cross is priced bang-on against the Renault Sandero Stepway, undercutting the Renault’s R 159 900 by R100.  Volkswagen does the Polo Vivo Maxx at R 178 800, as it positions as more of a quality car.

Under cross-examination this Etios has the same practicality and efficiency as the hatch it is based on, but with amped-up personality – none of the standard Etios plain rental or fleet car image.