A Next-gen Innova ups the refinement
little more than year after its launch in Indonesia, the second-generation Toyota Innova finally hits showrooms in Malaysia in two trim levels.
The Innova (AN140) has been priced on-the-road with GST and insurance at RM109,000 and RM117,000 for the 2.0E with a fivespeed manual and 2.0E with a sixspeed automatic respectively. The range-topping 2.0G with a six-speed automatic is priced at RM126,000.
The Innova has a wheelbase of 2,750mm and measures in at 4,735mm-long, 1,830mm-wide (without external mirrors) and 1,795mm-tall, while having a kerb weight of 1,700kg (2.0E manual), 1,715kg (2.0E auto) and 1,720kg for the 2.0G.
As standard, a push-start button brings the same 2.0-litre (1,998cc) 1TR-FE in-line four-cylinder engine to life -– fed by a 55-litre fuel tank, that has been retuned for better lowend power delivery and efficiency, while providing 139PS at 5,600rpm and 183Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
The rear-wheel drive multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 series tyres that obscure the disc (front) and drum (rear) brakes, while the 2.0E variant with a manual or automatic transmission lights up the road ahead with a set of automatic halogen headlamps that has Follow Me Home function and bulbed daytime-running lights.
It also features a combination of silver and matching body colour for its grille, body coloured door handles, external mirrors with integrated turn signal, rear spoiler with LED stop lamp as well as front and rear wipers.
Using a remote-activation jackknife key fob gains entry into the eight-seater cabin with fabric upholstered seats, while a combination of black, silver and fabric accent the interior that’s cooled by front a rear air conditioning vents.
For convenience, a centre console box with a lid along with a lockable lower glove box and upper glove box with cooler function provide storage space.
Along with the one-touch tumble system for the second row and the one-touch fold-up system for the third row, the cabin also has front seat back pockets with a shopping hook, a sunglass holder, cup holders, power windows with driver-side auto up/down and jam protection, five roof-mounted grab handles and two 12V power outlets.
Drivers will notice the back-lit multi-information display (MID) within the instrument cluster after being greeted by a three-spoke silver-trimmed urethane steering wheel with audio, MID and Bluetooth hands-free controls that’s not only tilt-adjustable, but is now telescopic too.
The gated gear knob is also wrapped in urethane and while drivers contemplate which driving mode of Normal, Eco and Power to choose from, passengers may be entertained by the six-speaker audio system that plays tunes from a preferred radio station, CD or MP3 player connected via the AUX-jack, USB port or streamed via Bluetooth connectivity.
For safety, the 2.0E comes with three airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, front-rear parking sensors, speed-sensitive central locking and ISOFIX anchor points.
Opting for the range-topping 2.0G ups the list of goodies that starts with a combination of chrome, silver and black painted grille, chrome door handles, an added pair of front fog lamps and the external mirrors are now power adjustable, retractable and have puddle lamps.
There’s now the convenience of keyless-entry for the push-start button, leather for the silver and wood accented steering wheel as well as the silver ornamented gear knob and an additional driver-side roof-mounted grab handle.
The driver will now get to peer at the Optitron meter panel that now comes with illumination control and a 4.2-inch colour TFT MID as passengers at the second and third row enjoy the roof-mounted air-conditioning vents, while basking in the hue of some purple (intensity-adjustable) roof-mounted ambient lighting.
Among other goodies are the onetouch operation for all windows, silver and piano-black finish for the fabric-wrapped door trims, lamps for the sunvisors, soft lid for the centre console box, damper for the lower glove box, foldable seatback table and an easy-closer tailgate system (not to be mistaken for a powered tailgate).
The 2.0G bolsters its safety levels by adding four more airbags (seven in total), as well as brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist and emergency stop signal.
Available as optional extras for all variants is a security and solar tint as well as an 8.0-inch DVD-AVX capacitive touchscreen DVD-player with smartphone connectivity, wifi, internet browser, voice recognition, HDMI port, USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and reverse camera with guide lines.
Opting for the DVD-AVN system instead will include navigation into the mix.
– JAY WONG