Toyota Innova Hycross (Zenix) unveiled; India launch in January

Toyota has finally taken the wraps off the all-new Innova in Indonesia where the model is called the Innova Zenix.  The new Innova will see an India debut later this week as the Innova Hycross. Sources tell us that the Innova Hycross will be almost identical to the Innova Zenix which gives us a clear idea on what to expect from the new Innova Hycross for India.  

• New Innova sits on TNG-A GA-C modular platform
• Gets optional strong hybrid powertrain
• Is much more feature-laden than before

New Innova Hycross (Zenix): Dimensions and exterior

The new Innova, at 4,755mm is slightly longer than the Innova Crysta, is slightly wider as well at 1,850mm but has the same height at 1,795mm. As far as wheelbase goes, the new model however is longer by 100mm at 2,850mm as opposed to the 2,750mm on its predecessor. It has shorter overhangs but has a longer wheelbase than the Crysta, which helps liberate more cabin room. Toyota has maintained the same ground clearance, approach and departure angles like the Innova Crysta.

With the new Innova’s design, Toyota has carefully made the MPV look more SUV-ish when viewed from front but has ensured the vehicle looks unmistakably an Innova when viewed from every angle.  The nose is upright and has a large trapezoidal grille finished in contrast black with chrome surrounds. Its wide front bumper has a unique cheatline in the centre that cleverly merges with triangular units on each corner. The cheatline also houses wide, horizontally positioned LED daytime running lamps, on the higher variants.

There are faux aluminium bits neatly positioned on each corner of the bumper. The headlamps are wide, wraparound units with dual layers neatly housing LED projector units, there are chrome separators dividing each lamp, and there are also what seems to be another set of daytime running lamps on the top like an ‘eyebrow’.   

Moving on to the sides, two distinctive creases run across the length of the doors with both neatly merging with the wraparound tail-lamps, resembling the styling on the Avanza Veloz MPV sold overseas. The Innova Hycross’ glasshouse seems to be as big as that of the outgoing Innova Crysta, promising ample cabin room for all three rows of seats. The alloy wheel design looks upmarket and gives the new Innova a premium look.

New Innova Hycross (Zenix): Interior

Just like the exterior, the new Innova’s interior is a complete departure from the Innova Crysta.  The dashboard design is all new and is now twin-layer setup helping liberate more space in the front row. While the dashboard looks unique, the centre console, the steering wheel and the instrument cluster seem be similar to the one that also does duty on the latest-gen Toyota Voxy MPV sold in some international markets.  The dashboard and aircon vents get a silver finish, and what stands out here is the 10-inch floating touchscreen.

There’s a large recess on the passenger side for storage, just above the glove box. What is also new is the dashboard-mounted gear lever console, which frees up space between the front seats. Higher variants will get dual tone interior with leather seats and the works. Interior shade combination like Dark brown (mocha) and black are expected on the India-bound Innova Hycross as well.

As far as seating layouts go, the Innova Hycross comes with seven and eight seat options depending on variant.

Toyota Innova Hycross (Zenix): feature list

The new Innova Hycross gets a lot more equipment than before. Higher variants get full-LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, bigger alloy wheels a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, faux wood and aluminum finish on the interior, dual tone leather seats, second row captain seats with ottoman function among others. Additionally, higher variants will get as many as four USB C-ports across the cabin and also dedicated climate control for second row passengers.  It also gets auto hold function, electronic parking brake, and drive modes on higher variants. Top variants in Indoneisa also get dual 10-inch screens for second row passengers. 

Toyota Innova Hycross (Zenix): tech and safety

The new Innova Hycross gets Toyota safety sense 3.0 that includes tech like Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. Additionally, the new Innova is loaded with safety features like multiple airbags, three point seatbelts for all passengers, ABS, EBD among others. The new Innova also gets four wheel disc brakes for all variants.

Toyota Innova Hycross (Zenix): powertrain and fuel efficiency

The Innova Hycross is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that, on some versions, gets the boost of a fifth-gen strong hybrid tech (the M20A FXS). This engine, like most Toyota hybrid units, uses an Atkinson or Miller cycle for greater efficiency.

While the ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure for the Innova Hycross could be revealed only later in the week, looking at similar spec SUVs and people carriers on the same Toyota platform, expect a fuel efficiency number between 20 and 23kpl for the Innova Hycross hybrid, easily making this the most efficient vehicle in its class.  Similar to the Hyryder, the new Innova Hycross will also come with a full-EV mode on the strong hybrid variants.

Toyota Innova Hycross: expected price in India

The Innova Hycross is being built Toyota’s plant number one in Bidadi outside Bengaluru; the Hyryder is manufactured in plant number two. Toyota India dealers say the Innova Hycross is likely to be priced just above the outgoing Innova Crysta, somewhere between Rs 22 lakh-28 lakh.

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