Toyota Innova - Pros and cons

Toyota Innova is a seven-seat vehicle that combines power, comfort, and fuel-efficiency in an SUV-like shell. It's a practical car for Filipino families, no wonder it's the top-selling MPV for more than a decade! While undoubtedly popular, it isn't perfect by any means. Here are the pros and cons of Toyota Innova.

Design

Pros: The latest Innova certainly lives up to its name as Toyota has made some significant innovations in its design. As mentioned earlier, it has a closer resemblance to an SUV than an MPV which gives it that extra oomph.

Upfront, you'll see a chunkier and more upright hood, larger chrome grills, sleeker headlights, modified fog lamps, and a "boxy" front bumper. When viewed from the side, you'll notice it has a more striking character line that flows diagonally from the front wheel arch all the way to the taillight.

The wheel arches pop out more too, which contrasts the deep beltline running between them. The rear end of the vehicle has a tougher look that's oddly similar to Toyota Fortuner. That's because both have the same Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle (IMV) platform. 

Inside, the dashboard has been completely revamped and up by several notches on elegance. The G and V trims also get leather-covered steering wheels and shift lever knobs with chrome and polished faux wood trims for added sophistication.

Cons: The rear bumper is somewhat lackluster and doesn't match the newfound bravado of Toyota Innova. E and J trims, as well as Innova Touring Sport, will have steering wheels and shift sticks covered in cheap-looking urethane. You also have to settle for fabric seats and door trims whichever variant you choose.

Comfort

Pros: The new Innova is taller and longer, providing more headroom and legroom for everyone inside. There's also sufficient A/C vents to keep everyone cool. More importantly, the vehicle drives smooth enough to make passengers fall asleep.

Range-topper Toyota Innova V 2.8 AT has captain seats for its second-row. Not only do they provide extra comfort. The large space between them also makes it easy for passengers to find their way to the third-row.

Cons: Except Toyota Innova V, all other trims will have second-row seats in regular bench format. The driver's seat is also missing electronic adjustment features, making it difficult to find a comfy driving position.

Features

Pros: Toyota Innova has a very large cargo space of 300 liters by default. This increases to 758 liters if you fold the third row seats, and up to 1128 liters if you fold the second row seats. Given its massive cargo space, Innova is a great MVP for carrying heavy loads. It's useful for transporting large items like furniture and appliances.

If you buy a Toyota Innova Touring Sport or any of the G variants, you'll have an 8-inch touchscreen display with a CD/DVD player and built-in navigation. Meanwhile, the whole line-up receives the following basic features:

• AM/FM Radio
• USB and AUX input
• Door armrests and pockets
• Lamps (front, room, luggage, and dome)
• One-touch windows
• Front and rear wipers
• Console, glove, and cooling boxes

Cons: Toyota Innova E and Toyota Innova J are both missing the 8-inch screen on the center console. Besides a potentially boring trip, you might lose your way from the lack of navigation.

Performance and Handling

Pros: Diesel-running variants such as the Toyota Innova 2.8 Touring Sport make hauling heavy loads seem effortless. Gas-running models such as Toyota Innova 2.0 G aren’t as powerful but they’re not that bad at all. As for handling, the MPV runs smoothly and is capable of sharp turns and sudden stops.

Engine Model	1GD-FTV		1TR-FE
Fuel Type	Engine		Gas
Transmission	MT	AT	MT
Maximum power output	167 hp at 3400 rpm	171 hp at 3400 rpm	136 hp at 5600 rpm
Peak torque	343 Nm at 1200-3400 rpm	360 Nm at 1200-3400 rpm	183 Nm at 4000 rpm

Cons: The hydraulic power steering feels rigid at times. Parking also proves to be a challenge with the Innova as it lacks the agility of smaller cars.

Safety

Pros: Some safety features are a standard for Toyota Innova. These include:

• SRS airbags
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD)
• Front passenger seat belts with pretensioners and adjustable seat belt anchors
• Rear passenger seatbelts with ISOFIX and Tether Anchors

Cons: Innova hasn’t yet to catch up with the latest generation of Toyota Vios which has maxed out safety specs for all its variants. As such, driving in entry-level options like the Toyota Innova 2.0 J might feel less safe. If you want better safety, you have to be willing to pay the price.

Fuel Efficiency

Pros: Variants with diesel engines have an excellent fuel consumption of 11-15 kmpl on highways. Once you switch to city driving, this goes down to 8-9 kmpl.

Surprisingly, variants running on gas seem to have similar fuel efficiency as their diesel counterparts. When driving on Eco Mode, Toyota Innova 2.0 consumes no more than 12 kmpl on highways and 6-8 kmpl on cities.

Cons: None

Pricing

Toyota Innova may not be the cheapest MPV around, with competitors like Suzuki Ertiga, Mitsubishi Xpander, and BAIC M60 available for lower prices. That being said, Innova has the perfect balance of performance and beauty, which makes it worth the price.

Below you will find the pricing options for Toyota Innova variants:

• Toyota Innova 2.0 J Gas MT: Php 1,025,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel: Php 1,133,000
• Toyota Innova 2.0 E Gas MT: Php 1,177,000
• Toyota Innova 2.0 E Gas AT: Php 1,247,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel MT: Php 1,249,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel AT: Php 1,319,000
• Toyota Innova 2.0 G Gas AT: Php 1,319,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 Touring Spot Diesel MT: Php 1,320,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 Touring Spot Diesel AT: Php 1,390,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel MT: Php 1,451,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel AT: Php 1,521,000
• Toyota Innova 2.8 V Diesel AT: Php 1,679,000

Also read: A gas-electric hybrid Innova may be in making