Innova: First Quality Minivan In India. Review on Toyota Innova

21 Sept 2005: It seems there is hardly any demand for the lower versions with black bumpers etc. Most of the demand is for higher leather clad versions. Toyota is adjusting production for the same. Also, the target of 4000 per month is falling a 'little' short but not much of a worry. Overall Innova seems to be a big success!

This review is based on the initial impressions. I have driven a lot of Toyota cars/vans over the years mostly in USA. This includes Camry, Corolla, Avalon, Sienna minivan, Tercel, Lexus ES300 etc. Toyota uses quite a bit of components common across the cars say Cruise Control & Air Conditioning switches. Their engines are also based on similar technologies & somewhat predictable. There is certain Toyota feel of soft & quiet ride that comes with every car except say last generation Lexus IS300 (BMW 3-Series competitor).

Personally, I regard Honda better for reasons like Engine-expertise, sporty inclinations & doing the things hard-way (check my review on Toyota's Camry where I compared it with Honda's Accord). Also Honda have had a great presentation in Formula-1 which Toyota has just recently started participation (and doing great there too: Ralf Schumakar).

Toyota knows the Auto business as none other manufacturer: They are not the most profitable automaker for nothing. There is hardly a decision or strategy that hasn't worked for them. One of the most shrewd & dynamic automakers Toyota has no match for it size, equity, market perception about reliability & resale values & overall brand recognition. They made Lexus one of the top 3 Luxury makers within a decade, it enjoys as much prestige as Benz & BMW now! --> Simply Amazing!

Let us come now to Indian market. Toyota introduced Qualis a few years back for mass-Indian market where it gave a formidable competition to Sumo & Bolero etc. It quickly became the best seller due to reliability, quiet/plush ride & smooth power delivery. However, it was a generation or two back from other Asian markets.

Toyota is now introducing 2 generation advanced Qualis with the name of Innova. VERY difficult to believe what can happen to a car within 2 generations. India gets even with other markets & gets a vehicle which could put some Benz models to shame w.r.t quality, refinement if not driving dynamics. Innova would sell almost 100% to private owners & not commercial (90%) purpose like Qualis.

The most significant factor is that the Innova despite quality interiors (expensive plastic), modern design with great drive-train is cheaper to produce than Qualis --> Just impossible to believe! I think they should have continued with old Qualis in the commercial segment. Now used Qualis would get great resale values & also Tata Sumo & Mahindra would have some breather. They got killed by Qualis.

Let us check now Innova is all about:

Styling

Although derivative of the Sienna minivan (Extra-large if it were in India!) the styling will make all the critics of Qualis silent. It is aerodynamic with good stylish sheet-metal & looks BIG in person. The color availability also seems to be great. The front styling is quite attractive with rear sort of just fine. The clear-lense head-lamps also lend a touch of character to the nose. The front bumper integrates with the nose just too well. The roof as a slight slope as it goes into the conventional, almost boring, rear-end! The sedan-like doors (unlike minivan sliding ones) also give a touch of class & better image although sliders are more useful. But I guess the styling is not as stylish as say a person spending 10 lac would want it to be.

Interior

There a is lot of room for 7 passengers but comfortable for 6 I think. The material quality is absolutely wonderful. The audio system is also class leading & an imp thing for the family vehicles like Innova. The plastic quality need not be repeated it is almost Octavia quality & two tone dash makes it more Lexus than Toyota like.

Engine & Transmission

Innova is launched with both Petrol & Diesel engine. The 2 liter petrol engine produces 130+ hp but it won't be much economical in my opinion due to the high kerb weight of this vehicles. The diesel engine (CRDi) provides 100+ hp & more importantly around 140 lb-ft of torque with is important for bottom end! Both the engines run on a 5 speed transmission matching the power curve of the engines. The transmission should be typical Toyota, butter smooth & durable. I hope they provide automatic transmission in a reasonable price. Both the engines meet the pollution norms that are going to be in effect from April 2005.

Innova is a rear-drive vehicle like Qualis and also a body on frame design -- not car based & front wheel drive like minivans in USA.

Ride & Handling

I suggest everyone wanting to own this vehicle to drive in the city traffic, specially in Pune this vehicle might drive you nuts with BIG turning circe, parking space and blind spots due to big pillars all around! It is quite a test to drive this vehicle in the city. In my opinion it is better suited to long journeys with high straight stretches. Innova is worse than Qualis in this regard as Qualis though big and boxy provided better view outside with its wind-shield and bonnet (hood). The ride is quite good but again it is no Ford Ikon. Although, you would feel better than driving a Sumo for sure.

Unles you have to carry a bog family at every occasion (movie, shopping etc) this vehicle could be a liability is Pune-like traffic.

Economy, Pricing

The petrol engine would give around 8-9 Kmpl & the diesel should give 10-12 kmpl in real worked conditions. However I believe people are in for a surprise with the fuel efficiency, I do not think that 1700+Kg vehicle can give good fuel economy, specially on Petrol engine! !

On the highways it might improve by 2 kmpl. The pricing depending on the options & the engine (diesel more expensive) is from 6.5 to 9+ lac. Which is not too bad as compared to Corolla but quite expensive once you check out Tavera. It also goes into Safari territory!

Conclusion

Overall, there is hardly any car out there like Innova, highly polished and comfortable. However this is not for the people who like to drive, even the Corolla doesn't provide great handling. However, this is a nice, big family car and you won't be disappointed at all. The only question I have is when I see one on overcrowded Pune roads is that how the poor drivers survives with such a big vehicle! The thing is as big as it gets, with comparative poor outward visibility and difficult to find a parking slot and also fit in in there! I guess the people who afford Innova must afford a driver too! Maybe Toyota should include a free driver for 1 year in the deal! :)