Toyota Innova

The Toyota Innova is generally a seven-seater MPV with a 2+3+2 configuration, but it has eight-seater variants. Its large seating capacity is one of the reasons why the Innova is a popular commercial people hauler highly preferred by taxi and ride-hailing service operators. Even the last row offers decent head and knee room. The two rear seat rows can be folded up, providing storage space for practically anything you can fit in the rear hatch. Speaking of storage, there’s plenty of places for beverage, smartphones and other personal items necessary for long trips.

As for convenience features, what you’ll find in the Innova are often middling, with the lower trims relegated to having manual everything (door locks, windows, side mirrors, even the transmission). Nevertheless, the top variants at least have power windows, steering wheel audio controls, phone chargers, and Bluetooth connectivity. Given the Innova’s price range (PHP 1,250,000 to PHP 1,694,000), the lack of refinement is nothing to complain about.

The Toyota Innova exterior is simple and straightforward. Some may even call it bland. But since the Innova is intended as a multi-purpose vehicle, the temperate aesthetics are not only acceptable but expected. Measuring 4,735 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1795 tall with a 2750 mm wheelbase and 176 mm ground clearance, the Innova is currently in its second generation, and save for the bigger size and curvier sheet metal, doesn’t really deviate that much from the look of the first generation.

Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) is where the cost-effective Innova MPV leaves much to be desired. The diesel engine in particular, is especially loud to the point of grating. Not only that, but you can also feel every turn of the gears and chains through the pedals and steering wheel. Cabin insulation is also severely lacking, as there’s a fairly audible wind and road noise to contend with. Try driving on rough roads and you’ll hear some clinking and clanking from the suspension system as well. 

Despite these drawbacks, the Innova is a pretty solid road performer. Owing to its body-on-frame construction under Toyota’s IMV platform, the car runs stable, even when reaching speeds of over 100 kmph. Likewise, bumps and potholes have little effect against its ride and handling.

Powertrain choice is inarguably one of the Toyota Innova’s biggest selling points, with two engines and two transmissions paired interchangeably, depending on trim. Whether you’re looking for a gas/manual, gas/automatic, diesel/manual, or diesel/automatic, the Innova has you covered. The gas engine, a 2.0-liter 1TR-FE, delivers 137 hp and 183 Nm, while the 2.8-liter diesel 1GD-FTV hands off 174 hp and 360 Nm. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed automatic with Sequential Control and 5-speed manual to do the shifting duties. Regardless of pairing, Innova’s powertrains are known for robust performance, especially those equipped with the torquey diesel engine, the same one found in the Toyota Fortuner.

The Toyota Innova relies on ventilated discs at the front and a leading/trailing drum system at the rear to bring the car to a full stop. This pairing makes the Innova’s brake system reliable in emergencies while allowing for smooth stops during milder braking situations. As for safety systems, there’s not much to speak of, given the price range. There are no airbags insight in the low-rung variants, but as long as you’re willing to spend a little more, you can get stability control, hill start assists, brake assist and side and curtain airbags.

Taking the price and range of options offered by the Toyota Innova, you can’t really complain about its shortcomings, all of which are relatively minor compared to the goodies that you’re getting. In terms of reliability, hauling capability, and on-road performance, there’s very little doubt as to why the Innova remains one of Toyota’s huge sellers year-in-year-out. A decent first car to own, you can always get a good price for it once you decide to sell it in the second-hand car market.