Toyota Innova

Overview

Since its launch in 2004 Toyota Innova has been one of the prime MUVs enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of families in south east asian regions. The Innova has been an important vehicle in the Malaysian markets and one of the pillars of building Toyota in the country.
Toyota Innova has recieved its third facelift in Malaysian region and is now elegant and stylish than ever with a larger grille, bumpers that have been redesigned, winged mirrors, side moulding, rear wiper, chrome door handles and a new trunk. The interiors of Innova have also been upgraded to increment your comfort level for longer drives. Toyota Innova is currently equipped with three variants: The 4 speed auto transmission (with ECD) Innova 2.0G and Innova 2.0E, the 5 speed manual transmission Innova 2.0E completes this line up. With all the variants you get some basic features which are pretty impressive in themselves - 205/65 R15 alloy wheels, a 2-DIN head unit which comes packing with MP3, CD, USB, AUX and 6 speakers, fabric seats, reverse sensors, ISOFIX, dual airbags and front and rear disc braks.
All the three variants of Toyota Innova have been blessed with a decent 2-litre 4-cylinder In-line 16 valve DOHC engine which comes with the Toyota forte VVT-i technology. As a result despite being essentially a family car, Toyota Innova is able to deliver promising performance with the maximum output power clocking 136 PS at 5600 rpm with a maximum torque measuring 182 Nm at 4000 rpm.

Highlights

More detailing is done on the Next-generation Innova by Toyota on the new GD series of its Turbo diesel engines. Toyota Kirloskar Motor will soon start new trial production of diesel engines most probably for this new GD series of oil burners at the outskirts of Bengaluru, near Jigani. The commercial production will soon start by early 2016. The 2015 model has standard dual front airbags along with inside-out added bling. The new model is priced around the range of Rs. 10.51 lac and Rs 15.80 lac. The main highlight of this MPV is its roomy internal cabin, which can host seating between at-least seven to eight passengers depending upon the seating arrangement. The company has placed this vehicle in the lucrative MPV segment, where it is competing against Honda Mobilio, Maruti Ertiga and Nissan Evalia.

Interior & Features

We wouldn't be lying if we say that every aspect of Toyota Innova has been designed keeping in mind the maximum comfort options that could fit in the price tag. With enough provisions for legroom and headroom, the 3 row Innova is a car made for family journeys. The wooden finish up front on the dashboard gives a superior elegant look to the new Innova added with exclusivity in class. The insturment panel centre cluster is now much more organised and nothing seems out of place. (Top end Innova 2.0G gets hold of an optional DVD-Audio Video navigation system). Also with the 2.0G variant you get hold of a optitron meter which comes with an turqoise and silver bezel finish added with a steering wheel which is efficient enough to control your Audio and MID features.

Interior Comfort

You can actually create your seating options according to your convineance in seats being able to fold, swivel, split fold and full fold. The 8 seater interior does not seem congested on any account. There is a dual air conditing system on the front and back and blowers are fitted in three vents which ensures easy airflow within all the corners of your cabin. Again, out of the box, Innova 2.0G gets hold of a sunglass holder with map lamp alongside MID display which is capable of Showing temperature, cruising range, fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, drive time, average speed and compass. For your added comfort upper and lower glove box, centre console box and luggage tray is provided.

Interior Dimensions

If the bootspace is not enough, there are enough options to increase it with adjustable foldable seats. As such, the ride inside is comfortable with decent front and rear headroom measuring 95mm. While the rear leg room differs from 69-91.5mm depending on how you place your seats.

Stereo and Accessories

A family on an outing needs entertainment, and your entertainment needs will be met in Toyota Innova with a basic integrated audio system featuring 2-DIN Head Unit CD Player with Tuner, MP3, AUX-Jack, USB, Bluetooth, 6 Speakers & Printed Antenna and if this doesnt satisfy you, there are two optional kits for your discretion: DVD-AVN (2-DIN Head Unit DVD Player with 7 Inch Capacitive Touch Screen, Smartphone Connectivity, WiFi, Internet Browser, Voice Recognition, HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, Navigation System & Reverse Camera with Guide Lines) and DVD-AVX( 2-DIN Head Unit DVD Player with 6.1 Inch Touch Screen, Tuner, MP3, AUX-Jack, USB, SD Card Slot, Bluetooth & Reverse Camera).

Exterior

Toyota's MUV is not just a comfortable family car anymore as the exterior has been improved to a large extent to make it a vehicle suitable for everyone, the designing includes a certain flair added to the sleeker structure and makes it a perfect flamboyant family car. Elegance seems redefined with the addition of a dynamic new front grille which is complimented with a new front bumper (2.0G variant comes with an optional aerokit). The top variant also gets some additional previlidges like front fog lamps and power adjusted wing mirrors which come with signal lamps. The new addition to all variants, chrome back door garnish adds to the aesthetic value of the vehicle. Toyota Innova comes in 5 color variants - Silver Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, Black, Solid White and Metallic Gray.

Exterior Measurements

Essentially an automobile designed for the whole family to enjoy, the wheelbase of Toyota Innova has been kept at 2750mm. The overall dimensions of the two variants 2.0E AT and 2.0E MT measure at 4585mm x 1760mm x 1760mm (L X B X H). However, the 2.0G AT top variant offers a bit more width at 1775 mm, the rest dimensions are the same as above. The minimum ground clearance offered is 176 mm, and even in critical turning situations Toyota Innova seems comfortable with a decent turning radius of 5.4 metre.

Wheels

The 15 inch alloy wheels appointed on Toyota Innova provide a feel of elegance with power and added safety with its wide tires. The tyre size measures at 205/65 R15.

Mileage Running Cost

Given that Toyota Innova is one of the most efficient cars to be used for long journeys, it is important that the vehicle delivers high performance alongside a decent fuel ecomony to keep your variable investment to a bare minimum. On an average the big car sports a 8 km/l mileage in the city area. On the highway however the figures are more respectable at 11.4 km/l. The tank of Toyota Innova 2.0 G fills up to 55 litres of fuel.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

All the three variants i.e. Innova 2.0G and 2.0E(AT & MT) come equipped with the same 4 cylinder in line 16 valve DOHC engine with VVT-i. VVT-i stands for Variable Valve Timing and Intelligence and this aids in delivering decent power and a noteworthy acceleration operating both a low and high speeds. The maximum power delivered by Toyota Innova is 136 PS at 5600 rpm bundled with a maximum torque of 182 Nm at 4000 rpm.

Power

The 4 cylinder in line 16 valve DOHC engine with VVT-i employed on all the three variants of Innova with a 2-litre capacity is powerful enough to draw out a decent maximum power of 136 PS at 5,600 rpm and a maximum torque measurinf 182 Nm at 4000 rpm. Considering that this is essentially a family car, the figures do not look bad at all.

Acceleration and Pick Up

New Innova facelift can accelerate from 0-100 in meagre 13 seconds which is amazing considering its 2.0 litre engine and the kerb weight. Top speed attained by the car despite being a family friendly car is a highly impressive 175 kmph.

Braking & Safety

Toyota Innova offers a perfect balance between fuel economy and power, along with amazing control with front suspension with coil springs and stabilisers. Rear suspension with coil spring and lateral rods ensure your comfort and safety. Together they form an efficient blend of performance which is highly inspiring for a MUV. With front disc and rear drum brakes, the braking seems pretty comfortable.

Safety and Security

Safety of yourself and your family is a prime concern especially if you are riding alongside 8 passangers. The Anti Lock Braking System employed in all variants ensures a much more safer driving experience preventing wheel lock ups. The Innova is designed with Toyota's GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) body design which in the case of any fatality absorbs considerable amount of shock before it could reach the passangers. Dual SRS airbags employed on the front minimise the impact of any sort of collision on head and chest. The steering column is made in such a way that it crumbles on the opposite direction instead of reaching out for driver in case of a collision. Also, the security system comes packing with an alarm, siren, motion sensors and engine immobiliser. Additional features employed are ISOFIX for infants and rear sensors.