Do i have an all rounder?. Review on Toyota Innova

I purchased a Innova  in early Sept 06, as i saw it as the value for money vehicle.  Period !

Here are some key reflections, hope they are useful to you -

Purchase decision  process :

Key considerations , were :

1. Suitability for a tall driver, without eating up the rear passenger leg space.

   
   




2. High seats that would aid elderly people to tranistion in / out without much aches in the knees or back.

   
   

So, having zoomed on Innova, the next important decsion was about the fuel  & seatingvariant.

The fuel aspect first -

Having read quite a bit on the diesel vs Petrol variants in this forum and elsewhere (other cars as well),  the decision rested about  economics Vs  the sheer pleasure of a noise & vibration free drive (head vs heart - you need to decide).

I saw an advantage on having the petrol variant becuase :

1. the break even point at the present cost of fuel is approx 4 years . I would sell the car in 6 years anyway ...(you can see this calculation in one of the reviews here. Diesel  van is approx 100,000 expensive and Petrol is about 20 Rs more / litre)

   
   




2. My heart ruled more than my head as far as vibrations in the cabin & gear stick was concerned. The petrol engine rev is music :)

   
   

That I chose the V- model was purely because of the ability to vary the driver seat height. Alloy wheels / SRS airbags / ABS braking did not seem that important to me, but they came along..

Seating variant :

it was 8 seater all the way , considering that the best utiliation of the IMV platform is only realisable with the 8 seater.

Captain seats in asecond row of 7-seater version seemed to have a defect with the irritating height of the arm rest (too high for comfort levels)

There is not much to say about the last row - I see them as utulity only if you have more than 5 to transport w/ o luggage.

Sales process

In short, a good experience. Sales person at Ravindu Toyota , Bangalore was patient and professional in handling my requests and queries.

They also accomodated my special request to deliver fabric and Rubber mats in the same cost.

Accessories

Do not forget to secure the catalog that can show what the accessories look like. The dealer have photographs to complement the catalog.

My suggestions on a  practical angle  -

• Mud flaps

  
  




• Fog lamps (i see them mandatory , considering the headlamp alignment)

  
  




• rear sensor with display (audio based, and absolute must for "seeing " the distance while parking)

  
  

Luggage tray , stickers , side step, luggage carrier, camera  - all are for your heart :-)

Electric control of side mirrors is truly NOT necessary to have. Once set, these stay in position !

Fuel economy

after 7 months of use, I get 8.8. kmpl on super premium Petrol of  Shell.

What l liked so far in first 2 weeks:

The dual trip meter

The side arm rest for the driver

the extensive cubby holes / storage

Car audio supports MP3 apart from FM, Tape , CD (only in V-Variant) -

Fog lamps - view is lightened up

Side mirrors - you can see the world . Esp electric control in the V-Variant

The soft operation of the indicator lever and indicators in the panel

Gear shift is smooth and secure.

What is not immpressive :

Wiper has only 3 speeds. The intermittent setting could have some more smaller steps (like in Accent)

Cabin noise reduction - should have been better in reducing the external noise

Headlamps supporting your night drive - esp the high beam seems ineffective

Tilt range in the steering coloum is just notional

The squeaks in the suspension after 50 km of  usage -  I wonder....(PDI done? )

The vibrations on the gear stick

Audio quality is just average - fails

In short, I have an all-rounder with me...

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Here you will read more , as I experience the Innova...

• 15-Sep :

From yesterday,  i am more convinced that the extensive squeaks that I hear from my front suspension is indeed a result of poor build quality (workmanship)...willl update after I have it checked at Toyota.

Do remember to check with your dealer about battery leaks - I believe this is indeed a problem for which the solution  was not found till I had ordered the van.

• 25-Sep :

Toyota fixed the squeaks that I understand were due to some loose bolts from the Airbag unit / door !! Never mind - it works fine now. They followed up by two calls to check if it was ok.

Fuel consumption is pending calculation - trends still show possibility of 9 - 10 kmpl. Will update in 2 weeks when my second filling is exhausted,

The car is Maintenance intensive compared to my previous car (Accent) ! There are many grooves that hold up dirt. Typical cleaning time is 45 min for a good clean wash - with some "climbing" over the tyres to clean the top...

The vehicle takes the typical roads with  assuring smoothness.  Of course deep potholes are not considered here :)

- 29-Sep :

Have done 417 km to 47 litres (8.9 kmpl so far and still fuel not exhausted)...keep watching this section for the final data...

• 09-Oct :

Confirming 8.9 kmpl after measurement round 2,  in crowded Bangalore city , with A/C to comfort...

• 20-Oct :

My first long drive on the NH throws up couple of obbservations :

1. Around 95 - 105 kmph (i.e about 1700 rpm on gear 5), a deep hum sets in, that reduces as when you go below 95 or higher than 105 kmph. Hmm..resonance ?

   
   




2. when the winds are stronger (e,g near the coastline), the noise in cabin due to wind increases substantially at 100kmph - I am indeed disappointed with this..

   
   

Still happy with the van, as it is steady at higher speeds of 120 kmph braking is top class and extremely trustworthy...

• 31-Oct  to  24-Nov

Door vibrations have started..

The doors walls (where they join the body / frame) accumulate dark soot  ( external vehicular emissions)

External Noise into cabin

Door rattle and loud  metalic "thunk"  (when the van moves our potholes / humps ) are two issues that coninue to irritate me...Otherwise great vehicle.

- 14 Mar 2007 :

Service levels are abysmal :-((

Takes 1hour + to get attention and several trips problems to get issues resolved. Moreover, there are no explanation on diagnosis and reasong for the actions ....so disappointed with Toyota service...

• 21 Jan 2008 : Very happy with my petrol Innova .  BTW, drove the diesel recently - too noisy !

  
  




• 04 oct 2008 : The noise levels inside cabin increases subtantially  when < 110kmph (audio setting has to go up). rear wiper and cabin soot formation issues are cleared ! Hurrah !

  
  

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- 1 May 2009 : still a great feeling owning the Innova -  am tired of the audio - CD jumps , radio fails...