Ah! The legendary Toyota Innova. If there is a car that has received the least criticism from us choosy Indians, and has received love from people from all walks of life, it is the Innova. It is a car that has travelled throughout the country and moved people with a distinct grace without breaking down, like ever. It is, in the true sense, a Toyota, because it is so reliable that it just does not die. You can see one with more than 1.5 lakh kilometers of running, but it will still feel like new. The Toyota Innova, and the sense of solidity, quality, and reliability that it offers is indeed something that you don’t see very often, and that is what has made it so popular in India. It’s resale value in the used car market is so high that you will probably laugh. It is amazing how much you might have to shell out for an Innova with more than 1 lakh km of running, but don’t worry, it will be worth it, and mostly the car will feel good as new. This is a car that will probably last three generations with your family if you want it to. Not kidding on this one. The Innova is family, indeed.
So, let us look at the new kid in the block, that has arrived recently to continue the tradition that his father and grandfather has continued in order to please the Indian public. The Toyota Innova Hycross. So, what’s new? First of all, the diesel powertrain is axed, and you get a Hybrid powertrain, A petrol engine, 2.0 litres, naturally aspirated, paired with an electric motor. 180 something horsepower, which might not set your hair on fire, but is not bad. So refinement is upped, performance is actually quite good (doesn’t feel sluggish), and you do not need to run it daily to justify it because it’s a petrol, not a diesel. Fuel Efficiency? Because it is a Hybrid, it will get good numbers, like, as much as a petrol hatchback! (It’s better than the diesel by the way) But fuel economy isn’t the only strong point of the Hybrid. Not only does it increase the torque and power of the motor, but it also makes it quicker and more silent and responsive in city traffic and slow speeds. NVH will not be a problem and you will love the silence over the noisiness of the diesel. The surprising thing is that this hybrid Innova will feel more responsive than the old diesels. Another change is in seating. More space in the third row, and you get two seats in the second row, but they are captain seats, with full recline adjustment. Business class indeed, and they are very comfortable. The interior feels more lavish than both the previous Innovas, and you get a 9-speaker JBL system and you also get dual climate control, for the back as well. But the biggest change is in the platform. Gone is the old-school body-on-frame chassis and you get a monocoque chassis. The result? The Innova feels like a sedan that you want to be driven around in. It feels car-like to drive, and to be driven in. There is a drastic improvement in ride quality. No longer will it feel jeep-like and gone are the times when it will bounce you around and make you feel uncomfortable. The difference is drastic, and the ride quality has improved dramatically. It feels plush and comfortable, calm and composed, Good roads or bad roads, the car cocoons you and isolates as much as it can, even though it is a bit firm. Not only that, the steering has lightened up so it is easier to steer compared to older Innovas. It also handles like a car, and body-roll has decreased. It also has more road presence, ironically, as it might have similar ground clearance (so it can rough-road no problem) it still feels like it sits higher than the older innova. Older Innovas feel like hatchbacks and below you when you are at the driver’s seat. The Innova Hycross also gets ADAS, which works really well, seamlessly, and does not panic. The ones that you would enjoy using on highways are blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control. You will find yourself using those two more often than you think, even though you might be a seasoned old-school driver who doesn’t believe in driver aids. Yes. The cabin feels a bit flimsy, the plastics aren’t top notch, the CVT shows its rubber-band effect when you mash the throttle sometimes, and it is not a complete 7-seater (6-seater at best). But, we have always ignored the Innova’s faults, haven’t we?
The Innova has always been more than an MPV. The Innova is that car that completes every garage. The Innova is that member of the family that you always rely on, and is strong, confident, brave, and always at your service, no matter if it has run 40000 kms or 500000. The Innova can also be an investment, because it holds its value in the used car market. I respect the Innova and can keep on rambling about it, but to conclude, I have to answer the billion-rupee question. Is the new Innova Hycross any good? The answer, is a yes. And it is probably better than the older one on some fronts.
