Toyota Innova 2.0X: Upping the refinement

By THOMAS HUONG | 20 December 2018


The Toyota Innova has been around for more than a decade now, and has earned a solid reputation as a reliable people carrier using a tough body-on-frame chassis and platform shared with the popular Hilux pick-up truck and Fortuner SUV (sport utility vehicle).

Compared with the Innova 2.0G variant which is RM9,000 cheaper, this top-of-the-range Innova 2.0X variant gets premium features like two captain seats in the second row, combination leather upholstery, automatic bi-LED projector headlamps, an 8-way powered driver's seat and larger 17-inch wheels.

You also get LED daytime running lights and LED front fog lamps on the 7-seater Innova 2.0X variant for the extra money.

So, you lose a seating spot in the second row (compared with the second-row bench other Innova variants) but gain a lot more premium comfort in this MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) with the two captain seats and extra kit.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (20)

Exterior

The current Innova's exterior has a crossover style, in an attempt to depart from the mundane boxy MPV look.

Add in some chrome trim on the exterior, and you do get an MPV with sporty looks especially with the larger 17-inch alloy rims that are finished in black.

We like the automatic bi-LED projector headlamps that provides bright illumination on the road, and also the puddle lamps under the wing mirrors - which light up automatically when you unlock the doors.

The headlamps also have a Follow-Me-Home function which keeps them on for 30 seconds after the engine is shut down and the door is closed.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (12)

Interior

Second row occupants here would love the comfort of the two captain seats, while the third row also comfortably seats two adults although there are three headrests here.

Air ventilation for rear occupants is good, with rear air-conditioning vents and controls mounted in the ceiling.

Second row passengers also get the benefit of front seat-back airline-style tray tables (each with a cup holder, and able to hold a maximum weight of 10kg).

The Innova 2.0X variant comes with push-start engine ignition, automatic conditioning as well as nice black leather seats.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (26)


The faux wood trim on the dashboard looks nice, and the black plastic panels don't look cheap.

We also like the convenience of the bird's eye view parking camera and the extra peace-of-mind offered by the recording camera mounted behind the rear view mirror. The driver also gets the convenience of a powered seat.

The 2.0X continues to use the traditional hand brake and the gated-type automatic gear shifter; so there's no auto brake hold here.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (5)

Practicality

To provide more comfort and legroom for third row passengers, you can recline the third row seats and slide forward the second row seats.

When seated in the third row, we found decent enough leg and head room for two 1.7-metre adults. The second row seats can also be reclined.

We found two front seat-back pockets to keep small items as well as a deep centre storage box (between the front seats), lots of door bins, cup holders and recesses.

The second and third row seats can be folded for more storage room, and we love the variable cabin layout and numerous interior storage areas to keep luggage and small items.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (25)

Safety

- 7 Airbags
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
- Brake Assist (BA)
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
- Traction Control (TRC)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
- Parking sensors (front and rear)
- ISOFIX child seat points

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (16)

Equipment

- Automatic Bi-LED Projector headlamps
- Headlamps with Follow Me Home Function and Automatic Levelling
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- LED Front Fog Lamps
- Powered and retractable wing mirrors
- Wing mirrors with Turn Signal Lamp and Puddle Lamp
- 4.2-inch colour TFT meter panel (Multi Information Display)
- DVD Player with 8-inch Touch Screen
- Smartphone Connectivity
- Wi-Fi, Internet Browser
- Voice Recognition
- 6 Speakers
- MP3, HDMI, USB, Bluetooth
- Reverse Camera
- Automatic Air conditioning
- Smart Entry and Start System
- Auto up/down with jam protection for all windows
- Combination Leather (black) seats
- 8-way power adjustable driver's seat
- 2nd row Captain Seats (One Touch Tumble)
- 3rd row seats (50:50 Split Fold, One Touch Easy Space Up)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (17)

Performance

The Innova 2.0X doesn't feel underpowered although it is no lightweight with a 1,740kg kerb weight.

There's plenty of grunt from the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder in-line DOHC engine with dual VVT-i that produces 139ps at 5,600rpm and 183Nm at 4,000rpm. This is mated to a responsive and smooth 6-speed automatic transmission.

We noted that on the highway, the tachometer needle hovered around 1,500 to 1,600rpm when we drove at 80kph. At 90kph, the tachometer needle was at 1,800 to 1,900rpm.

At 100kph, needle hovered at the 2,000rpm mark and at 110kph, the needle was at around 2,100rpm to 2,200rpm.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (7)

Ride and Handling

Running on Bridgestone Turanza ER33 215/55 R17 tyres, the Innova 2.0X provides a comfortable ride experience especially on long highway journeys.

Road and wind noise intrusion was quite minimal on the highway, and according to UMW Toyota Motor, this second-generation MPV uses more sound insulating materials and extensive efforts had been made to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.

With a double wishbone front suspension and 4-link rear suspension, the ride comfort is also enhanced and there is less discomfort on badly-maintained roads.

On winding roads, the Innova 2.0X feels quite composed although to be honest, we were quite light-footed with the car and never drove it in an aggressively.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (28)

Fuel Consumption

We had travelled 488km over five days and average fuel consumption according to the on-board trip meter was 9.3 litres per 100km.

It has a 55-litre fuel tank, and an ECO Indicator will light up whenever your driving style is deemed to be fuel-efficient by the car. Besides the default Normal driving mode, you can also choose Eco and Power modes.

In Eco mode, the car feels less responsive and the air-conditioning won't operate at energy-sapping levels. While the Power mode makes the car feels more responsive, the novelty quickly wore thin and we preferred just sticking to the default Normal driving mode.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (10)

Warranty

- Five years warranty with unlimited mileage

Price

- RM132,400 on-the-road without insurance

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (8)

Summary

The Innova 2.0X has a lot of premium comforts, and offers a very pleasant drive.

It doesn't feel as mundane as a less feature-packed model, and with the second-row captain seats, it provides a luxury aspect to ferrying around a group of people.

There are a lot of storage options, and a considerable amount of creature comforts which is to be expected when forking out this much money for an MPV.

The Innova is well designed as a people carrier, and this 2.0X brings up the comfort feel to a new level.

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (2)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (3)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (4)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (6)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (13)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (15)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (19)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (21)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (22)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (23)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (34)

Toyota Innova 2-litre X (35)

Keywords

Overview

Styling
70%
Comfort
80%
Performance
65%
Safety
70%
Value
70%

CarSifu's Rating: 7.1