2023 Toyota Innova unveiled, gets new platform and hybrid powertrain
After a couple of teasers, leaks, and lots of speculation, Toyota has finally unveiled the all-new next generation of its very popular Innova MPV in Indonesia where it will be known as the Kijang Innova Zenix.
Now in its third generation (or seventh generation as the Kijang), the Innova ditches its body-on-frame architecture and turbodiesel powertrains in favor of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-C) unibody platform, and gasoline and hybrid powertrains.
Of course, with a new generation comes new looks. The all-new Toyota Innova appears to be an evolution of the previous generation. It shares several design cues with the outgoing version as well as other Toyota MPVs such as the Rush, Avanza, and even the Sienna. Some features are slimmer headlights, a large front grille, and daytime running lights mounted on the bumper.
As for the interior, the all-new Innova gets a more modern and squarish interior as opposed to the outgoing version’s curvy design. Right in the center is a large touchscreen infotainment which when mixed with the center stack looks inspired by the Toyota Land Cruiser 300. There is also a digital instrument cluster similar to what is seen in the Toyota Corolla Altis. Just like the outgoing model, it comes in either 8- or 7-seater configurations.
Again, Toyota has ditched the turbodiesel powertrains of the Innova. Now under the hood of the new Innova are either a 2.0-liter M20A-FKS Dynamic Force gasoline engine or a new 2.0-liter M20A-FXS Dynamic Force hybrid powertrain. Output figures have not yet been revealed but the company says the new hybrid powertrain has 25% better performance and 50% more fuel efficiency. They will also send power to the front wheels via a CVT.
In terms of safety, the all-new Toyota Innova also gets a huge upgrade as it now comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 giving it stuff like Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning, just to name a few.
We don’t know yet what Toyota Motor Philippines has planned for our market but they will definitely have to do a major retooling of their local assembly plant if ever they will continue to manufacture the MPV here which means it could take some time before it gets here.
Despite that, what do you think of the all-new Toyota Innova? Does it still have what it takes to not only remain as one of the Philippines’ most popular MPVs, but also one of the most popular models overall?
