2017 Toyota Etios

Toyota Etios

Toyota’s Etios is pure function over flair—a budget hatch or sedan for buyers who want fuss-free motoring, not the latest tech drama. It’s the sort of car you see slogging away in Orange Farm or clocking up kilometers on the N12, quietly outliving trendier contenders. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is the only show in town, sticking to manual or semi-auto boxes—no electrification, no diesel, no hybrid distractions. With 13 used options priced between R79,500 and R179,900 and the bulk hovering at R139,900, the Etios is deep in pre-owned territory. Toyota’s dropped it from the new lineup, so you’ll only find them on the used market. That tells you something: it’s a model that’s done its job, and then some. On paper at least, the Cross variant tries to spice up the formula with a raised stance and plastic cladding, but you’re paying R127,900 to R169,995 for the privilege—easily the priciest Etios badge left. Hatchback Xs and Sprint models aren’t far behind, while the Xi hatchbacks go down to R79,500 if you pack smart and don’t mind age or mileage. Most examples sit between 2013 and 2020 with an average 140,376 km under their belts—a figure that would make you sweat if it wasn’t for Toyota’s reputation for engines that just keep going. You’re not buying this for plush interiors or sharp handling; you buy it because parts are everywhere and service costs are honest. In this market, that’s the point.