Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT, one of the best Innova variants, is an eight-seater MPV currently available in the Philippines. With a manual transmission and 2755 cc engine capacity, this MPV offers a great driving experience. This car is mainly available in five colours: Silver Metallic, Blackish Red Mica, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Alumina and Black Jade Metallic.
The Innova MPV faces fierce competition from the likes of Suzuki Ertiga, Nissan Livina, JAC M4, etc. And while it is a great value for money in the segment for its starting price of PHP 1,236,000, it is slightly more expensive than a lot of MPVs, especially for higher variants.
Pros
- 170 PS 2.8L engine
- 4 airbags
- Seating capacity is 8
Cons
- No touchscreen infotainment system
- Pricier than competitors
Specs & Powertrain
Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT has a 5-speed manual transmission attached to its 2.8L diesel engine. This engine is a four cylinders unit that can produce a maximum power of 170 PS and 343 Nm of peak torque.
Is The Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT Gas or Diesel?
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT is powered by a 2.8L 4-cylinder diesel engine.
Interior
Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT comes with a fabulous interior as well. With eight seats and five doors, this car is already a treat for people with a big family or who like to go on vacation with friends. It has Rack and Pinion type steering that’s adjustable as well. There is a 2-DIN audio system with four speakers inside the cabin. The seats are done in black fabric upholstery, while the driver’s seat is 4-way manually adjustable.
Exterior
Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT, being the base variant, misses out on a lot of fitments on the exterior. The MPV variant misses out on front fog lamps while all the other variants get the same. However, it has a striking exterior and keeps the Innova breed alive. The ORVMs are power adjustable, which is a nice touch. The front and rear illumination is done by halogen and bulb type lighting.
Drive & Performance
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT has double wishbone type front suspension and multi-link rear unit, which is tuned to drive effortlessly even when packed to capacity. With 2.8L engine displacement, this MPV offers the best driving and riding experience. And given that the car makes 170 PS, it can achieve high speeds easily without any lags.
Is Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT Fuel Efficient?
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT can return a fuel economy of anywhere around 10-12 kmpl, depending on where and how you drive. The economy touches the top ceiling during long highway hauls.
Does Automatic Transmission Consume More Fuel?
Usually, Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT’s fuel consumption is better than any AT, thanks to the manual gearbox in place.
Passenger & Boot Space
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J MT is extremely spacious, much more than some of its competitors. The boot space is ample and fit medium sized trolley bags easily. However, the third row seats are foldable, which increases the cargo carrying capacity by a huge extent, so much that you can even carry tent bags, food, camping items, etc.
Coming to the cabin space, the car is long, translating to a good cabin space. The legroom and shoulder room are good. Moreover, since the car is high as well, the headroom is great, even for tall passengers.
What is The Difference between Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT and Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel MT?
The most visible difference between these two variants is the availability of features. While both variants’ engine capacity is the same, their exterior and interior features are quite different. One of the most significant differences is that the 2.8 E has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the 2.8 J manual makes do with just a 2-DIN audio system with four speakers.
Comfort & Entertainment
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT does not have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but an integrated 2-DIN audio system. The connectivity system includes Bluetooth connectivity USB and AUX. The AC system is a manual unit, but work really well to keep all the occupants comfortable and cool.
Which Is Better, Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT or Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel MT?
Two begin with, both the variants are the lowest variants, so the feature compromise is always there. Both variants get driver, co-driver and knee airbags, while the higher varitants get side and curtain airbags as well. The power and transmission duties are done by the same engine and gearbox. So, in a way, the 2.8 J seems to be a better option since you get the same price for a lower price.
Safety Features
When it comes to safety features, it has plenty. There are four airbags as standard in the base model, along with the addition of ABS with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. The MPV also gets driver convenience and assistance features, like vehicle stability control and hill start assist control. Emergency brake signal is also a standard fitment in the Innova 2.8 J MT variant.
How Many Airbags Does A Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT Have?
The variant has four airbags - driver, front passenger and knee airbags.
Fuel Consumption
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT is powered by a diesel engine. The power and torque production is quite high, which means the fuel efficiency takes a hit when driving in the city. However, out on the highway, the MPV can return with a fuel efficiency of almost 12 kmpl, which is quite impressive.
What Transmission Options Are Available in the Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT?
The Toyota Innova 2.8 J has a 5-speed manual transmission. So, there is no automatic transmission given as an option. However, if you do want an automatic transmission, you will have to choose a higher variant of the MPV, which includes a 6-speed automatic.
Value for Money
With a starting price of around PHP 1.25 million, the car is a great proposition. However, there are cars that are more affordable without much compromise on the features, like th Suzuki Ertiga and the much popular Mitsubishi Xpander. However, considering that the Innova is large, more spacious and has the most powerful engine in the lot, the car feels more comfortable and fun to drive.
Is Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT Worth Buying?
Now, coming to the most important question, it is worth your money. The Innova 2.8 J MT is undoubtedly one of the best family cars to be had. However, this sense of assurance comes at a cost, which is quite on the higher side. On the other hand, some its competitors offer much more features at the same price, since their top variants are priced around the same as the base variant Innova.
So, if you are looking for a car that spacious and will take your big joint family anywhere you want, and have the money to spare, the Innova 2.8 J MT is the right option for you.
