Is the Toyota Etios good for new drivers? Here’s our verdict.

By Farzana Chaumoo

We take a look at why the Toyota Etios makes a good car for a new driver.

 

Engine

The Etios is powered by a nippy 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that puts out 66kW at 5600 rpm and torque of 132 Nm at 3000 rpm. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 11.3 seconds and tops out at 165km/h. CO2 emissions are kept low at 138 g/km while fuel consumption is rated at 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined cycle.

Not only is the small size of the Etios great for a new driver, but the engine and performance of the Etios also make navigating in and out of traffic a breeze. It also provides easy motorway cruising.

 

Driver Support Systems

The Toyota Etios is equipped with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) as standard. This is especially good for new drivers as ABS prevents lock-ups and skidding, even in slippery conditions. The anti-lock brakes help drivers keep control of their vehicle and has been proven to save lives in some situations.

 

Safety

If anyone has ever doubted that Toyota Motor Corporation doesn't take safety seriously, the Global NCAP will prove them wrong. In 2017, the Etios was awarded 4 stars for Adult Occupancy Protection (AOP) and a 3-star for Child Occupancy Protection (COP).

It's not unusual for new drivers to be nervous and the more safety features a car is fitted with, the more at ease a new driver can feel. The Etios has several standard features that include: 

• Front Airbags for Driver + Passenger             
• Anti-Theft System: Siren/Alarm and Immobiliser                      
• Power Door Lock
• Wireless Door Lock
• Child Lock (rear door)
• Child Restraint System (ISOFIX)               
• Parking Brake Lever               
• Front Brake: Ventilated Disc                       
• Rear Brake: Drum               
• Front Seat Belts (ELR, Pretensioner, Force Limiter)                    
• Rear Seat Belts (ELR)            
• Centre 3-Point Rear Seatbelt                     
• Seat Belt Warning (Driver only/Buzzer + Light)
• Rear Window Demister

 

Service and Warranty

Above everything else, new drivers needn't worry about servicing when it comes to a new car. The Toyota Etios is covered for:

• 3 Services/30,000km Service Plan
• 3 years/100,000km Warranty
• 12 months/10,000km Service Interval

 

Verdict

The latest Toyota Etios was recently updated with an upgraded security system that includes an Alarm and Immobiliser. The Etios line-up offers both Hatchback and Sedan models in Xi, Sprint and Cross (hatch only) configuration. It is an affordable, reliable and practical car for a new driver. The sedan models are particularly popular with families as it offers a generous 562-litre luggage capacity. Furthermore, it offers good comfort for new drivers. Boasting a sub-200k price tag, a new Toyota Etios can be found starting from R179,500. 

 

*Images above are of the Toyota Etios Sport.

 

Next, take a look at other Safe Small Cars for New Drivers