The Toyota Innova has always been an MPV that was synonymous with perfection. Buyers continue to swear by its comfort and refinement, fleet operators swear by its bulletproof reliability and while the Innova never made any pretentious of being an enthusiast’s car, the tried and tested powertrains combined with the supreme comfort on offer means that this one of our favourite cars to go mile-munching across the country with. Now there’s an all-new Innova around the block, the Innova Hycross. The MPV was unveiled globally today – as the Innova Zenix in Indonesia, and here’s what we know about it before its India reveal on November 25.
The design of the Innova Hycross does bear familiarity to the current Innova Crysta on sale but the styling of the MPV is actually all-new. At the front, the grille of the Hycross is reminiscent of the Toyota Hilux pickup, flanked by what are likely LED projector headlamps. The LED DRLs are nestled lower down in the bumpers, integrated into the front airdam. The Innova Zenix unveiled in Indonesia was offered with 18-inch alloy wheels, and it is likely that India would get 17-inch wheels on the top-spec variants for better ride quality, with 16-inch wheels on the lower spec variants. There is a muscular haunch present as you move towards the rear which culminates in the new tail lamps. There is a neat little spoiler integrated into the rear hatch, and the Hycross does look more muscular and SUV-like than the current Innova Crysta. The MPV is also based on an all-new platform, TNGA GA-C (Toyota New Global Architecture), and the Hycross is actually 20mm wider and longer than the current Innova with the wheelbase also being longer by 100mm – which should translate to more space for passengers in the cabin.
The interior of the Innova Hycross is heavily revamped, with a new design for the dashboard and a lot more features. You get a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted right in the driver’s line of sight, below which sit the air-con vents and the climate control switches. The centre console is flanked by a silver finish, and it nestles the gear selector for the CVT transmission, as well as the switches for the electronic parking brake and drive modes.
The car seen here featured all-black as well two-tone black and brown upholstery, though it is possible India could get a beige colour scheme for the interior to make it look more airy. The Hycross will likely be offered in 6, 7, and 8 seater variants and the second row occupants in the Innova will also get a rear seat entertainment package in the form of touchscreens, an electric seat as well as a leg rest – a first on an Innova. Speaking of firsts, the Innova also gets a panoramic sunroof for the first time.
The big talking point about the Hycross is that it will be offered with a hybrid powertrain. The hybrid powertrain consists of a petrol engine, a 2-litre four-cylinder unit that produces 150bhp of power and 187Nm of torque. The petrol engine will work in tandem with an electric motor that produces 111bhp and 206Nm of torque. The combined system output of the hybrid setup is 183bhp and the Innova Hycross will get drive modes with a new Power and EV mode to suit different driving conditions. The latter will allow you to drive purely on electric power in silence if the batteries have a sufficient level of charge. The hybrid powertrain will be mated to a CVT transmission. A pure ICE 2-litre petrol is also expected to be offered with the Innova Hycross.
The Innova Hycross will be unveiled in India on November 25, and it is likely that the launch of the MPV would take place at the Auto Expo in 2023. With the first hybrid Innova around the corner, it is yet to be officially confirmed whether the petrol or diesel engines will continue to be sold alongside the Hycross or be discontinued, though it is a strong possibility that the diesel could be axed with tougher emission norms on the horizon. What are your thoughts on the first hybrid Innova? Do let us know on our social media handles!