Toyota Innova is one of the most popular MPV in the Indian market, which is doing quite well for the Japan based automaker. It was first launched in the year 2005 in India with both seven and eight seater options. It is also made available with petrol and diesel engine options for the buyers to choose from. Petrol ones are equipped with a BS-IV compliant 2.0-litre mill that produces a maximum power of 130.1bhp along with a 181Nm of peak torque. While the diesel options are available with both BS-IV and BS-III compliant 2.5-litre engines, which are mated with five speed manual transmission gearbox. In its journey since 2005, it received several updates in terms of exteriors and interiors. In the year 2013, its facelifted version was launched with major cosmetic overhaul to its exteriors. Now the car maker has introduced limited edition in its series, which is equipped with several additional features. These are based on the 'GX' platform with oil burners. It has exclusive features like dual tone fabric seat upholstery, touchscreen infotainment system, stylish body graphics and chrome lining for head and tail light clusters. These limited edition ones also have ABS and driver airbag, which further adds to its safety quotient. The main highlight of this MPV is its roomy internal cabin, which can host seating between seven to eight passengers depending upon the seating arrangement. There is ample leg shoulder and head space available inside along with a huge 300 litre boot storage capacity. This vehicle is integrated with several important comfort features like an air conditioning system, rear parking assist including camera with display on infotainment screen along with a multi functional steering wheel. Coming to its exteriors, this vehicle has a stylish appearance owing to its large radiator grille and a set of trendy alloy wheels. It also has an expressively designed tailgate that is beautifully decorated with chrome inserts. The car maker has also focused on its safety aspects for which, it has developed GOA body structure that absorbs the impact of a collision and improves protection to the passengers inside. This vehicle is being offered with an impressive 3 year or 100000 kilometers warranty, which can be extended further at an additional cost. The company has placed this vehicle in the lucrative MPV segment, where it is competing with the likes of Honda Mobilio, Maruti Ertiga and Nissan Evalia.
Exteriors
The MPV has a stylish external appearance as it is neatly equipped with several modernistic cosmetics. In the year 2013, it received a major cosmetic update in the form of a brand new radiator grille, bumper and tweaked headlight cluster. Now, the car maker has introduced the Limited Edition of this vehicle, which have quite a few styling aspects. Its hawk-wing shaped headlight cluster gets a chrome under line and is equipped with turn indicators and high intensity halogen lamps. The radiator grille in the center has a lot of chrome treatment and is embedded with company's logo. However, the entry level and the newly launched limited edition trims have painted grille with chrome surround. The front bumper is in body color, which houses a pair of fog lamps and is fitted with a protective cladding. Apart from the top end, its remaining trims have provision for incorporating front fog lamps. The side profile looks decent with expressive wheel arches that are further equipped with a set of stylish alloy wheels. While the GX have been bestowed with conventional steel rims featuring full wheel caps. The newly introduced options also have stylish body decals embedded on its side profile, which enhances its trendy appeal. The VX and ZX have chrome plated side protective molding, while the GX trim gets a body colored molding. At the same time its external wing mirror is incorporated with turn indicator, which provides additional safety. Its rear profile looks stunning, thanks to its asserting tailgate design that is decorated with several trendy features. It houses a license plated console along with a horizontally positioned chrome strip and a pair of reflectors. Its taillight cluster has a conventional design and it houses a courtesy lamp, brake light and turn indicator. While the LE gets exclusive emblem along with chrome underline for taillight cluster, which gives it an enchanting look.
Exterior Measurements:
This MPV has an overall length of 4585mm and a total width of 1765mm, which is quite good. Its total height measures about 1760mm, while the minimum ground clearance stands at 176mm. This vehicle is built with a large wheelbase of 2750mm, which is the reason why it has roomy internal cabin.
Interiors
Editor's take : The Innova has one of the most plush interiors in the MUV segment. It is spacious and even the seats are comfortable. After the recent facelift, there is no complain of missing brownies as it now has all the frills.
The internal cabin of this MPV is elegantly designed with a dual tone color scheme. It is available with both eight and seven seater option for the buyers to choose from. Its interiors are done up with good quality material, which gives a premium touch to its cabin. The main highlight is its ergonomically designed seating arrangement that is covered with high quality fabric upholstery. However, the top end version ZX is available with only seven seater option, which are covered with leather upholstery. The newly introduced 'Limited Edition' gets premium dual tone fabric seat upholstery that adds to the stylishness of its interiors. All the seven seater have individual seats in the first and second row, while its third row gets bench seat. Its eight seater have bench seat in its second row that has 60:40 split folding facility. Its dashboard houses an advanced instrument panel along with a storage compartment, and a four spoke steering wheel. Its instrument cluster is equipped with functions like a multi-information display, clock, optitron combimeter, tachometer and a trip meter. For the comfort of occupants inside, the car maker has also incorporated roof mounted air vents for second and third row.
Interior Comfort:
This multi purpose vehicle is spacious and yet it is one of the most featured vehicle in its segment. There are number of comfort features incorporated inside including a multi-information screen that keeps the driver on alert by displaying crucial information. It includes functions like a clock, tachometer, tripmeter, door ajar notification, driver's seat belt warning and has an illumination control facility. Its entry level GX has a list of features including dual front sun visors, a glove box, 12V power socket, cigarette lighter, front map lamp with overhead storage console and keyless entry function. It also has aspects like back sonar, 4-speakers, power door lock, air conditioning system with heater, power steering with tilt adjustment, and power windows with driver's side auto down function. Its VX trims have features like rear view camera with display, automatic air conditioning system, premium quality fabric upholstery, passenger's seatbelt warning and leather wrapped steering wheel. On the other hand, its top end ZX have features like premium floor mats, leather shift lever knob with wood inserts and Grey Burl wooden finish on its dashboard.
Interior Measurements:
The internal cabin of this MPV is extremely spacious with roomy leg and head space. At the same time it also has a large 300 litre boot storage compartment, which can be extended further by folding the third row bench seat in 50:50 split ratio. Furthermore, it is equipped with a large fuel tank that has a storage capacity of 55 litres, which is quite impressive.
Acceleration & Pick-Up
Editor's take : The drivability of the Innova makes it a real winner than its outright performance.
The petrol ones are perkier in terms of pickup and acceleration owing to its powerful 1998cc. This 4-cylinder mill is paired with a five speed manual transmission gearbox that helps the vehicle to achieve a top speed of approximately 170 Kmph. At the same time, it propels the vehicle to reach a 100 Kmph speed mark in about 12.8 seconds, which is quite good. The oil burners are equipped with 2494cc, 2KD-FTV, mill that is integrated with an intercooler Turbocharger. It allows the vehicle to zoom towards a 100 kmph mark in just 15 seconds and helps it to touch a top speed mark of 149kmph.
Engine and Performance
Editor's take : The 2.5-litre engine on the Innova produces only 100bhp and there are more powerful engines available on other MUVs.
As mentioned earlier, this MPV is available with both options for the buyers to chose from. At the same time, the car maker is also providing an option to choose between BSIII and BSIV compliant diesel variants. However, both versions are equipped with the same 2.5-litre, 2KD-FTV motor that has a displacement capacity of 2494cc. It comprises of 4-cylinders and a total of 14-valves that receives fuel through a common rail injection system. This DOHC based mill has the ability to pump out a maximum power of 100.57bhp at 3600rpm and generates a commanding torque output of 200Nm between 1400 to 3400rpm (in BSIII version). However, the BSIV compliant one delivers 200Nm of torque output in the range of just 1200 to 3600rpm, which is good. Its petrol line-up have been fitted with 2.0-litre, 1TR-FE mill that has electronic fuel injection system. It is also based on double overhead camshaft valve configuration with 4-cylinders and 16-valves that displaces 1998cc. It can produce 130.1bhp of maximum power at 5600rpm in combination with 181Nm of peak torque at 4000rpm. Both power-plants have been mated with a five speed manual transmission gearbox.
Mileage
Editor's take : The Innova is decent and that is why people generally prefer to use it for long drives.
This MPV is available with both options. All the petrol trims are powered by a 2.0-litre motor that has electronic fuel injection system, which helps it to be fuel efficient. It enables the vehicle to produce a minimum mileage of 7 Kmpl on city roads, while generating a maximum of 11.4 Kmpl on the highways. Its oil-burners are equipped with 2.5-litre mill that has common rail direct injection technology and have the ability to to produce a minimum mileage of 9 kmpl on urban roads, which goes up to a maximum of 12.99 kmpl on expressways.
Power of Toyota Innova
Editor's take : Nothing comes close to the drivability of the Innova. This makes it a hot seller, even after being introduced in 2005.
As mentioned earlier all its petrol variants have been equipped with a Bharat Stage IV compliant 2.0-litre, 1TR-FE mill that has four in-line cylinders based on a DOHC valve configuration. This produces a commanding power of 130.1bhp that results in generating a peak torque output of 181Nm. While its oil burners have been fitted with a 2.5-litre, 2KD-FTV, which is also based on double overhead camshaft valve configuration. This power plant can produce 100.1bhp of maximum power in combination with 200Nm of peak torque, which is good. However, its BSIV motor delivers this torque output between just 1200 to 3600rpm while the BSIII trim produces it between 1400 to 3400rpm.
Braking & Handling
Editor's take : The ride of the Innova is plush and most of the jolts are irons out by the suspension. The handling of the Innova is decent and the body roll is less, despite its large size.
Its front wheels are equipped with a set of ventilated discs while its rear wheels are paired with leading-trailing drum brakes. This braking combination is further assisted by anti lock braking system that provides a skid-free driving experience, especially on slippery roads. The car maker has equipped its front axle with double wishbone system and coupled with rear axle with four link system featuring lateral rod. It is also integrated with an advanced power assisted steering system that offers precise response and supports a minimum turning radius of just 5.4 meters.
Safety & Security
Editor's take : The Innova gets active safety features like ABS. The passive safety features include dual airbags for the front passengers.
The car maker has built this vehicle with a GOA body structure, which is its most important safety aspect as it is capable of absorbing accident based impact. It also comes with a list of safety features like anti lock braking system, immobilizer and driver's side SRS airbag. Furthermore, its VX and ZX also has a passenger's side airbag, which enhances its safety aspects.
Wheels
The car maker is offering its VX and ZX with a set of stylish alloy wheels, while the entry level GX have been blessed with steel wheels. These rims are further loaded with a set of high performance tubeless radial tyres of size 205/65 R15, which provides superior grip on roads.
Pros
1. Luxurious interiors with great cabin space.
2. Very useful for a long holiday trip.
3. Diesel mill performance is rather impressive.
4. Comfort features in the top end are good.
5. GOA body structure ensures protection.
Cons
1. Price tag is slightly expensive.
2. Fuel efficiency is not up to the mark.
3. Its interior design can still be worked on.
4. NVH levels of the oil-burners can be further reduced.
5. Several other safety features can be added.
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