Toyota Zenix

Toyota has given both variants of the Zenix different types of upholsteries. While the 2.0 V CVT comes with a combination of dark chestnut and black colour combination for its fabric upholstery, the more premium 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT has the same dual-tone dark chestnut and black colour combination in a leather finish. Here, the steering wheel, centre console and door panels come with contrasting silver accents in a thick finish, adding premium essence to the cabin. 

Passenger and boot space

Both the variants of the Toyota Zenix come with a seven-seater configuration, with captain seats in the middle. Compared to the base-spec 2.0 V CVT, the higher-spec 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT comes with added features like 8-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and power Ottoman and power recline for the second row of seats, along with 50:50 split folding. When it comes to the number of cup holders and bottle holders, there are six in the front row and seven in the third row, along with map pockets in all four door panels. 

The Innova was already a benchmark in comfort for all the passengers in all three rows. The Zenix only takes the bar of comfort higher with more features and better-cushioned seats. While the boot space is limited with the third row of seats up, one can have access to plenty of space after folding the third row of seats.

Q. How many seats are there in the Toyota Zenix?

Answer – The Toyota Zenix is offered as a three-row MPV with captain seats in the middle row and a flat bench in the third row, thus offering itself as a seven-seater MPV. 

Comfort and entertainment

The Toyota Zenix is positioned as a more premium offering over the Innova, and that reflects in its list of features. The driver’s cockpit of the Zenix comprises a more premium multi-functional steering wheel, which comes with buttons for audio, Bluetooth, display, voice, telephone and cruise control. Behind the steering wheel, one gets a full-TFT 7-inch screen in the instrument console, which is flanked by analogue gauges on either side. 

Both the variants of the Toyota Zenix come with a free-standing 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features offered in the Zeinx are single-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, paddle shifters, push start-stop button, rear AC vents and USB chargers in the first and second rows. 

The list of comfort and convenience features in the Toyota Zenix is longer than the Innova, but it doesn’t match that of the global-spec model. The Philippines-spec model misses out on premium features like a panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, dual-zone auto AC and ventilated front seats from the global-spec model, which could have raised its desirability even more. 

The new Toyota Zenix is a whole new model over the second-generation Innova not only in the powertrain and chassis specifications but also in the way it looks from the outside. While it has a touch of the Innova in its looks and silhouette, it has more aggression and novelty, which makes it look fresher and very up-to-date. 

At the front, the Toyota Zenix has a sporty-looking hexagonal grille, which has chrome surrounds all over and hexagonal mesh on the inside. The sides of this hexagonal grille come attached with sleek all-LED headlamps, which accentuate the width of the MPV. Also making the Zenix look even bolder than the Innova is the sporty design for the front bumper, which comes integrated with slim daytime running LED strips on the outer corners. These LED strips are placed in the middle of the triangular housings on the corners of the bumper, which also have silver accents on their sides. 

It is the side profile of the Toyota Zenix, which can make you believe that it is an MPV and has a slight essence of Innova in it. However, compared to the Innova, it looks sleeker and more aerodynamic, with smooth-flowing curves over the fenders and door panels. The turn indicators, which come integrated with LED turn indicators, are electronically adjustable and foldable in both variants.

In the 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT, while the bottom of the door panels and rounded wheel arches have slim body cladding over them, the window waistline and door handles have a chrome finish over them. Also, while the 2.0 V CVT has 17-inch silver alloys on offer, the 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT has 18-inch machined alloy wheels. 

At the back, the Toyota Zenix looks sharper and very much RAV4-like, thanks to its angular lines for the tail lamps, license plate housing and creases on the boot lid. Below the windscreen, the Zenix gets a thick chrome garnish which stretches from end to end over the tail lamps. The combination tail lamps of the Zenix come with LED inserts, while the top of the windscreen has a spoiler with an integrated LED stop lamp. 

Toyota claims a fuel efficiency figure of 16.13 kmpl for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine in the Zenix. On the other hand, the fuel efficiency of 23.24 kmpl claimed by the 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain of the Zenix is massively impressive, making it the most fuel-efficient MPV on sale in the Philippines. 

Q. What is the mileage of Toyota Zenix?

Answer – While the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine of the Toyota Zenix claims 16.13 kmpl, the more premium 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain of the MPV claims a much higher 23.24 kmpl fuel efficiency.

Unlike the Innova which is offered as a diesel MPV based on a ladder-on-frame architecture, the new Zenix is a more sophisticated MPV with a monocoque frame and the choices of petrol and petrol-hybrid powertrains. However, like the Innova, the Zenix also scores incredibly high, when it comes to giving comfort to the occupants, with the front Macpherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear tuned for a comfortable ride quality. Thanks to a more dynamically-sorted monocoque chassis, the Zenix also feels more composed and plusher to drive. 

The Toyota Zenix is being offered in two variants, with both of them available with separate powertrain options. While the base-spec 2.0 V CVT is sold with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine and a CVT, the more-premium 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT is available with a 2.0-litre Atkinson petrol engine paired to an electric motor and battery, along with an e-CVT on offer. 

The 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine offered in the 2.0 V CVT is capable of producing a maximum power output of 174 PS and a maximum torque output of 205 Nm. This engine scores high on reliability and refinement, but its power delivery is not too enthusiastic for an engine of its size. Also, it is not an engine option if you are seeking impressive fuel efficiency. 

The 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT comes with the combination of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Atkinson petrol engine and a motor generator system. While the engine produces 152 PS of power, the motor generator churns out 113 PS of power. In the combined mode, this complex and sophisticated powertrain develops a maximum power output of 186 PS and a maximum torque output of 188 Nm. A unique and innovative e-CVT is the only transmission on offer in this variant. 

Both the variants of the Toyota Zenix are packed with essential safety features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, electronic parking brake, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, reverse camera, front seat belt reminders and front and rear parking sensors. However, the more premium 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT variant gets add-on features like side, curtain and driver knee airbags, 360-degree parking camera, rear seat belt reminders and ADAS features including automatic high beam, pre-collision system, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Value for money

Following are the prices of both the variants of the Toyota Zenix on sale in the Philippines:

• Toyota Zenix 2.0 V CVT – Rs 1,670,000
• Toyota Zenix 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT – Rs 1,968,000

These prices make the Zenix slightly pricier than the Innova, but considering the added premium essence, it deserves this premium. 

Warranty

Toyotas are generally perceived to be reliable vehicles, and the Zenix makes sure that it follows family traditions. Toyota is currently offering a warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km (whichever is earlier) on the Zenix. However, for the lithium-ion battery pack offered as a part of the powertrain, Toyota is offering a longer warranty of 8 years or 200,000 km (whichever is earlier).

Q. What is the warranty offered in the Toyota Zenix?

Answer – Toyota offers a standard warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km (whichever comes earlier) on the Zenix. However, for its battery pack in the powertrain, Toyota offers a longer warranty of 8 years or 200,000 km (whichever is earlier). 

Toyota Zenix vs the Competition

There are very few three-row MPVs which offer direct competition to the Toyota Zenix in the Philippines, some of which are as follows:

Toyota Zenix vs Toyota Innova – The Zenix is essentially a successor to the Innova and is the third-generation model. The Innova comes with the good old formula of ladder-on-frame architecture and a diesel engine, which makes it a highly durable vehicle. The Innova has already established high standards of comfort and reliability, and the Zenix is only here to take the bars even higher with its more refined powertrains and increased comfort levels with the monocoque chassis.

Toyota Zenix vs Hyundai Staria – Compared to the slightly conventional-looking Zenix, the Hyundai Staria breaks the norms with its extremely radical design for a passenger van, which offers the same seating configuration as the Zenix. The Staria offers much more space and comfort and convenience features over the Zenix, while available with a diesel-automatic powertrain as standard. 

Toyota Zenix vs Maxus G50 – The Maxus G50 from the Chinese automaker Maxus might come across as an equally compelling MPV in terms of space and features on offer. However, it’s tough for the Maxus G50 to match the reliability and peace of mind offered by the Toyota Zenix. Nevertheless, the G50 impresses with its sense of space and refined petrol engine (which returns below-average fuel efficiency).

Is Toyota Zenix worth buying?

For the added sense of premium appeal, features and refinement over the Innova, the new Toyota Zenix comes across as a bullet-proof premium MPV for new-age buyers. It feels a lot more refined and comfortable than the already potent Innova, which speaks about its mechanical prowess pretty much.