The Toyota badge on a compact sedan and hatchback, as we have already seen, is irresistible to us Indians. Add a diesel engine to the mix and Toyota should have no problem in filling up its order books. With that as a backdrop, let’s get on with the task of evaluating the diesel versions of the Etios sedan and Liva hatchback.

The tsunami in Japan played havoc with the launch dates that Toyota had lined up for the Etios, but better late than never, eh? Not a moment too soon, either — diesel cars are overwhelmingly the flavour of the day, given the prices of petrol, and even people whose useage patterns don’t really justify the purchase of a diesel car are opting for the sticky fuel. So, where does the Etios fit into this scenario?

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