Opening
Toyota Innova Refreshed
The number of Innovas one sights on highways is an indication of Toyota’s MUV market share in the country. Attempting to replace the once bestselling Qualis with an Innova was gutsy but Toyota was successful eventually.
The company rightly tapped Indian family’s needs of a bigger vehicle and provided a well finished, strong and durable product. This was also supported by their flourishing dealership network.
Toyota recently gave the Innova a makeover with a host of exterior and interior upgrades. We find out why the Innova has set a benchmark for other auto manufacturers in our detailed review.
Appearance Exterior
The New Year makes Toyota go high on bling. The new version retains its basic look. In addition to the subtle facelift, the Innova got few months back the new version promises to be more expressive about the small features.
It gets a-wide-open-mouth-with-vengeance radiator grille. The grille is dipped in chrome and looks very bold. It does not attract instantly but eventually grows over you. The new look also gets a stronger bumper design with a distinct fog lamp design. The new headlights run parallel to the radiator grille and wrap around on the edges. The bonnet has got a V – design highlights which runs prominently on the front bonnet.
The side of the car gets contemporary body graphics. Not that sans them the car did not look complete as I still prefer it without the vinyls. The front and rear doors are large and it helps in easy ingress and egress. The door handles are body colored and the top of the line variant also comes with side skirts.
The rear tail door gets a dash of chrome across its width. This design looks similar to the one on Nissan Evalia. It also gets a roof attached spoiler, chrome exhaust pipe and a “Z” badge.
Since all the consumers are happy with the Innova, it does not make sense to give it an all new design instead Toyota chose to update the Innova periodically to maintain the novelty factor.
Appearance Interior
The manufacturer might have tall claims about the vehicle being high on luxury and features but then if the passengers don’t enjoy being inside the cabin then the interiors is not worth it. Thankfully it is not Toyota because the comfort of the Innova is unparallel.
Inside the new Innova, nothing has been noticeably changed. The interiors have been retouched with wooden finish to make it look more premium. The instrumental panel has been designed very neatly. It features the essentials such as speedometer, tachometer and engine temperate. The MID (Multi Information Display) gives information about the present gear engaged, distance to empty, outside temperature and the average fuel consumption.
The new seats are finished in dual tone leather which makes it more desirable. The comfort value remains same. In addition to the panel, even the gear knob and the door trims get wooden finish. Not that it brings in a new character but then it is a mild makeover from the earlier offering.
The headroom and legroom continue to be the best in class. It has generous legroom and headroom for all 3 rows of passengers. Even when the vehicle is completely loaded, the cabin does not feel crowded. The faux wood finish of the interiors looks good and subtle.
These new changes make the cabin feel fresh. It is an undoubted leader when it comes to premium MPV cabins. Other manufacturers are trying very hard to close in the gap but then it seems impossible to match Toyota standards.
Performance Drive
Mechanically it is the same and retains its 2.5L turbocharged diesel engine. It produces a power of 102PS at 3600 rpm and a torque of 200Nm at 1200 – 3600 rpm. The engine is equipped with a 5 speed manual transmission.
The diesel unit is very refined and does its job decently. There are other MUVs in this segment but then the performance and durability of the Innova is very difficult to match. Even in the commercial fleet sector, a used Innova commands a premium price and the reason of it is high on performance and low of maintenance engines.
Even in our last Innova review, there were comments like “I am using an Innova for the last eight years and was looking for a replacement but then have realised that there is no other MPV introduced in the last eight years to match the Innova in comfort and reliability. I am planning to go for another innova” - Vilva Sigamani
The suspension setup appeared rigid. It is great on uneven road surfaces too because of its higher ground clearance. This one took the streets of Mumbai with good confidence. The transmission remains sticky and can do with some easy movement. One can refer our earlier review for more on Innova’s performance.
The Innova is rightly the best MUV India has seen and its rock solid performance elaborates it further.
Tech Specs
Technical Specifications | |
Make | Toyota |
Model | Innova |
Variant | ZX |
Engine capacity | 2494 |
Power in PS/RPM | 102/3600 |
Torque in Nm/RPM | 200/3400 |
GearBox | 5/M |
Dimesions in MM | |
Length | 4585 |
Width | 1760 |
Height | 1760 |
Wheel Base | 2560 |
Ground clearence | 176 |
Tyre rating | 205/65 R15 |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 55 |
Average Mileage in KMPL | 14 |
Gross Weight (Kg) | 2300 |
Turning circle radius | 5.4M |
Features
Features | E | G | GX | VX |
Alloy wheels | No | No | No | Yes |
Rear Wipers | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Rear Defogger | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Front Fog Lamps | No | No | No | Yes |
Electrical Adjust ORVM | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multi Informaton Display | No | No | No | Yes |
3 Spoke steering wheel | Yes | Yes | No | No |
4 Spoke Steering wheel | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Leather steering wheel | No | No | No | Yes |
Wood like finish panel | No | No | No | Yes |
Driver seat Height Adjust | No | No | Yes | Yes |
AC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AC With Auto control | No | No | No | Yes |
Power steering | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power windows | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2 DIN Audio with DVD | No | No | No | Yes |
Key less entry | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ABS | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Air bags | No | No | Driver | Driver +Co driver |
Immobilser | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ex Show room Price Mumbai | ||||
7 Seater | 10,22,556 | 10,77,911 | 12,31,556 | 14,38,354 |
8 Seater | 10,18,051 | 10,82,434 | 12,36,175 | 14,42,964 |
Competition All Specs
Specifications |
Toyota
Innova |
Mahindra
XUV500 |
Tata Motors
Aria |
Variant | ZX | W8 FWD | Pride |
Cubic capacity | 2494 | 2179 | 2179 |
Power in PS/RPM | 102/3600 | 140/3750 | 140/ 4000 |
Torque in Nm/RPM | 200/3400 | 330/2800 | 320/2700 |
Ground clearance in MM | 176 | NA | 200 |
Turning circle radius in M | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.6 |
Fuel Tank in Liters | 55 | 70 | 60 |
Seating | 7 Seater | 8 Seater | 8 Seater |
Mileage in KMPL | 14 | 12 | 12 |
Dimesions in MM | |||
Length | 4585 | 4585 | 4780 |
Width | 1760 | 1890 | 1895 |
Height | 1760 | 1785 | 1780 |
Wheel Base | 2560 | 2700 | 2850 |
Tyre rating | 205/65 R15 | 235/65 R17 | 235/65 R17 |
Key Features | |||
Alloy wheels | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rear Wipers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Rear Defogger | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Front Fog Lamps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Electrical Adjust ORVM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multi Informaton Display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Leather steering wheel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Driver seat Height Adjust | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AC With Auto control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power windows | Yes | Yes | Yes |
2 DIN Audio with DVD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key less entry | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Air bags | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Immobilser | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Airbags | 2 | 6 | 6 |
Ex showroom price Mumbai | 14,91,936 | 14,55,700 | 15,64,161 |
Conclusion
So everything about the Innova is appreciated by all. It is the most comfortable, efficient and durable MUV of the country. So that makes the Toyota Innova the most perfect multi utility travel solution? Perhaps but then there is a small condition.
The condition is you should be ready to cough up a hefty price tag of close to Rs.20 lakhs on on-road price of the fully loaded Z variant which gets all the fancy bits of chrome, vinyls and wooden interior finish.
To its advantage is the trust factor which the Innova brings with itself. No other MUV can be parallel to it but then all this for a steep price tag is what the consumer has to decide.