Toyota Innova

After taking one look at the Toyota Innova I found myself asking, “What is this vehicle’s purpose exactly?” While the marketing blurb babbles on about a spacious and affordable people carrier that will appeal to large families and fleet operators alike, I can’t help but think that it was a product of the boardroom, something accountants thought up to fill the gap between the Avanza and Verso.

I say this because the engineering behind the Innova isn’t very innovative at all really – it’s just a mix match of bits they found lying around the factory and have thrown together to make a car that meets the accountant’s budget. It sits on a Hilux platform, with a large part of the drivetrain also borrowed from the Innova’s more rugged counterpart, while bits of the suspension bear some resemblance to those in the Fortuner.

Step inside the Innova and the trend continues as you’re greeted by a familiar Toyota ambiance. You’ll notice the two-tone instrument panel with Optitron instrumentation, silver bits of detailing, turquoise blue lighting and wood grain inserts on the central cluster, the doors and the steering wheel.

From a styling perspective, well, there isn’t any really. Aside from the clear reference made to Toyota’s family tree at the front, the designers couldn’t have drawn a more stereotypical “soccer mom” shape. There’s no hiding the fact that this is a box in which to carry people from A to B.

Given the strong ties with the Hilux, it’s of no great surprise that the Innova feels somewhat similar from behind the wheel. The 2.7 litre four cylinder petrol motor delivers 118kW to the rear wheels via a five speed manual gearbox. The combination does its job, although I’ll admit the gearbox’s long action became tiresome in heavy traffic – not good news for the daily lift club. Further bad news comes in the form of below par fuel consumption figures of around 11.2 l/100km.

The suspension, comprising a double wishbone independent front setup with stabiliser bars and a four-link rear, provides a reasonably composed and pliant ride – although across more uneven surfaces the rough and ready nature of its underpinnings shine through with a shudder in the cabin. Unfortunately the steering is vague and doesn’t provide absolute confidence in the Innova’s cornering abilities (then again what people carrier can boast otherwise?).

Thankfully there is some good news. Both versions of the Innova offer a long list of luxuries as standard equipment. This list includes a multi-information display (for information such as fuel consumption, range, outside temperature and average speed), electric windows, remote door locking with alarm and immobiliser and built-in steering wheel controls for the audio, Bluetooth and multi information display system. Other options include air conditioning, with venting for all three rows of seats and Toyota’s new 6 inch touch screen Display Audio system that made its debut on the Hilux and Fortuner.

The most innovative feature of the Innova is the option for two seating arrangements. The 7-seat model is fitted with individual captain seats in the middle row with slide and recline functions, while the 8-seat model has a bench in the middle row. The middle seats can be folded flat and tumbled forward, while the third row of seats folds sideways in a similar fashion to those on the Fortuner. Further joy comes in that all the seats are marvellously comfortable and there is ample luggage space regardless of the seats being up or down.

Being an accountant myself I recognise the thought process behind the Innova. Given the available technology at Toyota’s disposal it makes economic sense to minimise further research and development. And at the end of the day they have created a vehicle that has the capability to carry up to 8 people, something unique to the sector, at an affordable price – a fact one cannot discount in the current economic climate.

Couple this with the fact that the Innova is built on the back of what is probably the most tried and tested platform in South Africa and I’m left with no choice but to believe that it will provide a solid means of transport for larger families and indeed fleet operators, just as the marketing blurb said it would. 

Price: R265 500
Engine: 2.7 litre VVT-i four cylinder petrol
Power: 118 kW
Torque:  241 Nm
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 11.2 (claimed)

Miles Downard
First published in Autodealer KZN