JAPANESE carmaker Toyota introduced the multipurpose utility vehicle (MPV) Innova in 2005 to replace the Unser.
The Innova is part of Toyota’s IMV (International Innovative Multipurpose Vehicle) programme, together with the Hilux pickup truck and the Fortuner sport utility vehicle (SUV).
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, launched the range-topping Toyota Innova 2.0X in October last year.
The Innova 2.0 X is powered by the 2.0-litre 1TR-FE naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with Dual VVT-i technology, paired to a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission with sequential shifter. It produces 137hp at 5,600rpm and has a maximum torque of 183Nm at 4,000rpm.
The new Innova can complete the century sprint in 16.44 seconds and has an average fuel consumption rating of 9.1 litres per 100km (l/100km).
It measures in at 4,735mm in length, 1,830mm in width and 1,795mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,750mm, 300 litres of boot space with all seats up and a 55-litre fuel tank capacity.
Unlike the regular Innova, the Innova 2.0X gets the leather upholstery, eight-way powered adjustable driver seat, LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED foglamps, 17-inch black alloys and two captain chairs with individual armrest in the middle row. It also comes with retractable cup holders and seatback table.
As for the rest of the equipment, it shares the same with the 2.0G. It is equipped with front and rear automatic air-conditioning system, Optitron instrument panel with 4.2-inch colour multi-info display, foldable seatback tables, ambient lighting, reverse camera, leather-wrapped steering with wood trim, easy close tailgate, keyless entry with push start and an eight-inch DVD-AVX infotainment system.
It comes with some styling add-ons which includes chrome trim on the front and rear, overfenders and chrome black moulding along the windows sills and a unique lower back and back door garnish.
Safety aspects includes seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control and hill start assist. It also received a five-star rating in the Asean NCAP crash test.
The Innova 2.0X we tested was equipped with most of the optional accessories, including the panoramic view monitor (PVM), DVD-AVN with reverse camera player, digital video recorder and Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film.
It is priced at RM125,324.28 without insurance and for individual private registration only. It is covered by a five-years unlimited mileage warranty.
THE DRIVE
We took the Toyota Innova 2.0 X for a spin recently. It is a comfortable, good looking, spacious and practical people-mover.
We drove the MPV for more than 900km on city and rural roads.
From the exterior, the Innova 2.0X looks more stylish and appealing compared to the other Innova variants, thanks to the exterior changes such as the side skirts, added resin on wheel arches, chrome-on-resin spoilers on the front and rear bumper, gloss black grille, upsized 17-inch wheels, and most importantly the LED headlamps and fog lamps.
In the interior, the captain seats gave extra comfort to passengers as each of the individual seats have their own armrests, as well as sliding and reclining functions.
Rear occupants have access to two USB ports to charge their devices. Even the third-row occupants have the ceiling mounted air-conditioning vents to keep them cool throughout the ride.
Even with all seats up, there is still sufficient boot space to fit in a few small or medium articles of luggage by stacking them up on each other. There are also plenty of cupholders and storage spaces in the Innova.
One thing we really like is the upper glove compartment that can easily fit in four to five canned drinks and has a cooler function to keep them cold throughout the drive. The interior’s finishing felt solid and of good quality.
Toyota’s designers and engineers actually designed the door panels well, with soft touch material for the front occupants. The cabin and dashboard designs are more futuristic and luxurious, compared to the previous Innova, thanks to the Optitron meter panel and the ambient light.
The 2.0-litre 1TR-FE naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine has no problem getting up to legal speed limit. In fact, at 110kph, the engine only revs around 2,000rpm. However, the engine roars loudly on hard acceleration. Apart from that, the engine, wind and tyre noise is very well concealed from the cabin at cruising speed.
There are three drive modes for the driver to choose from - Eco, Normal and Power. The throttle is slightly more responsive and holds the gear longer in power mode, while the eco mode maintains as low rev as possible.
The MPV sticks to the road during corners and it tackles most rough road conditions easily. Even though it shares the same platform as the Hilux, the Innova is more comfortable to drive through wavy road conditions.
The entertainment system is straightforward and the speakers produces basic tunes, with a weak bass, and the treble is short of clarity, as well as sharpness. Nevertheless, the panaromic view monitor (PVM) is a wonderful feature, especially to manoeuvre the people-mover at tight spaces.
We managed to record 9.8 to 10.4 l/100km after a mixture of city and highway driving. After some heavy acceleration driving, it used about 11.5 to 12.8 l/100km. A cruise down the highway at legal speed limit resulted in 8.3 to 9.4 l/100km.
Overall, we felt the Innova 2.0X is a wonderful and reasonably priced MPV. Nonetheless, it is still short of a few features. It would help the driver especially on long distance driving if the Innova 2.0X comes equipped with cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind spot warning system or even the blind spot angled mirrors.
Since it came equipped with ambient light, it would be nicer if there were more colour options to choose from. Lastly, it would be more convenient if the MPV comes with the powered tailgate.