TEST: Toyota Innova 2.8 V AT
ONE look at the latestgeneration Innova and you’ll be hard-pressed to think that it evolved from the pioneering Toyota Tamaraw FX of 20 years ago. Taken another way, it took just three generations to morph from the FX to the second-gen Revo to the third (and previous) generation Innova, to this one—a smashingly stunning minivan that already threatens minivans costing a whopping million bucks more.
How did Toyota do it? First, of course, is with the looks. The front end sports a new visage with that styling trick that’s become a staple of manufacturers brimming with stylistic confidence—a gaping grille that stretches from the leading edge of the hood all the way down to the bottom part of the bumper. Audi couldn’t have designed a bolder air intake if it decided to venture into the minivan segment.
The grille is bracketed by quad headlamps (with LED’s in the top model!) whose corners are so beveled they wrap around into the front fenders, much like in contemporary sedans. Foglamps finish off the very upscale-looking front end.
Other upmarket styling touches are chrome trim on the signal lamp-fitted side mirrors, chrome door handles, and a dynamic right triangle-shaped D- pillar reminiscent of the Toyota RAV 4’s.
And while most stylists tend to focus most of their efforts on the front end, the Innova’s posterior sustains the front’s design swagger. The rear of the Innova sports dynamic-looking (that word again) taillamps that could have come from the RAV 4 in the way they jut out from the tailgate in a three-dimensional way. Downward- pointing triangular signal lights complete the inspired taillight cluster. Other functional styling tricks that add to the Innova’s upscale overall look (at least for the topof-the-line variants) are a rear spoiler and a shark-fin antenna.
The leveled- up design continues in the interior. The curvaceous dash is handsome and ergonomically perfect— marred only somewhat by an instrument panel whose tach and speedo markers are too big. But overall fit and finish are leagues ahead of its predecessors— even if they’re still a tad behind those aforementioned two-million- plus- peso minivans. But it comes very, very close.
I’m not crazy about the woodgrain -like print on the Innova’s fabric seats, although I applaud the use of nontraditional colors like chocolate brown. Space and versatility (the middle and third-row seats onetouch slides, flips, and folds in various ways to accommodate people and cargo) are top notch. The flagship V variant boasts captain’s seats for the middle row.
Another luxury touch is the damper for the glove box (in the V and G variants) so it opens and closes smoothly and gently just like in your Lexus. Yet another impressive feature is the audio system, a 6-speaker 2-DIN affair with CD/tuner/MP3/USB/ Aux/Bluetooth connectivity as well as a navigation system. The flagship V variant even adds DVD capability. And the recessed ceiling lighting is straight out of the 3-million-peso Alphard. Beautiful.
It may not have the fancy power sliding doors and tailgate of luxury minivans (although Toyota could easily engineer one for the Innova from the power tailgate of the Fortuner), but it really doesn’t need those features anyway. I have yet to meet a minivan owner whose power sliding doors didn’t start to create issues after about five years of ownership.
The Innova still comes in 2.0L petrol and 2.8L diesel models mated to 5- speed manual or class-leading 6-speed automatic transmissions. I tested the top V model, which comes only with the state-ofthe art variable-nozzle turbo (VNT) CRDi diesel motor. It’s a smooth, quiet and delightfully torquey. thanks to a generous 360 Nm (and 171hp). Toyota obviously tuned the suspension for maximum comfort (you can only go so far with a nonindependent rigid rear axle). And the Innova proved to be reasonably comfortable for daily driving, although it does pitch forward too much under braking and seems to bounce up and down the front springs too much when you transition from accelerating to braking to be truly confidence-inspiring.
Still, it’s a nitpick that probably 80 percent or more of minivan/MPV buyers might not even notice. Pricing? From a surprisingly high P919,000 (I expected the new Innova to start at around P860,000) for the entry-level gas model to a breathtaking P1,460,000 for the all-bells-and-whistles 6-speed auto Pearl White diesel.
All things considered, the Innova is still undisputedly the best MPV/minivan for the money. No wonder it’s been one of the bestselling automobiles in the Philippines since its inception. And the latest one has just gotten better—albeit pricer—than ever.