Auto India, Car India

For the current decade the Indian Car Market has been flooded with launching of new car models by reputed car brands, followed by extreme competitions among themselves. Toyota Qualis was among one of the successful road and market performers. Later in 2005, considering the looks consciousness among the new buyers, Toyota made “innovative” changes in the basic structure and shape of its popular pupil, Qualis, and came up with Innova. Innova continued the success story by Qualis. The new aerodynamically designed exterior, extremely spacious and feature rich interior, lack of category competition, good mileage and features compensative cost, proved the building blocks for Innova’s whopping success.

Highlighting Features :

As stated above, Qualis which gave a good start off and Innova, the Gen-next to Qualis, succeeded in earning mouthful of appreciations and a huge market. Now Toyota is set back to move on to the next level with launching of Innova VX. The following specification statistics positively affirms the above prediction.

General statistics -

• Name and Model : Toyota Innova VX
• Ex showroom price (Mumbai) : Rs 12,64,000 (may vary)
• Body type : MUV
• Top speed : 180 km/hr
• Available colors :
  Silver Mica Metallic
  Champagne Mica Metallic
  Dark Red Mica Metallic
  Light Blue Metallic
  Grey Mica Metallic
• Engine type : Petrol
• Maximum power : 130 Bhp @ 5600 rpm
• Maximum torque : 181 Nm @ 4000 rpm
• Steering : Power
• Brakes : Front Disk, Rear Drum
• Gears : 5 Manual
• Wheels : Alloys
• Fuel tank size : 55
• Fuel efficiency :
  13 kmpl (For highway)
  9 kmpl (For City)
• Seating Capacity : 8
• Seat adjustment : Manual
• AC / Non-AC : AC with climate control
• Music system : 2 DIN Mp3 CD Music System

Comments -

The new Innova VX gives a first-rate driving experience supported by 2.0L 4 cylinder fuel injected petrol engine. It has included VVT-i technology and is capable of producing max power of 130 Bhp @ 5600 rpm and max torque of 181 Nm @ 4000 rpm. The combination works well at the tiny, crowded city roads as well as at express highways. With a broad wheel base (2750 mm), the MUV offers excellent stability. The new aero dynamical shape modifications also support the stability feature.

The 5-speed, manual transmission gives a much smooth experience and comparable to any classy car transmission working. The shift between gears is quite small and produces much pleasing experience at high-speed driving. The chassis is engineered brilliantly which takes care of the bearing needs of the wide-spread body. The suspension system comprises double wishbone with stabilizer coil spring at the front and the rear end is a four link coil spring.

Not only has the exterior and the engine worked well , but Toyota has worked on the interior of VX, too! The faux wood finished central console and beautifully planned seat fabrics are the sure attractions of the interior. Again, the adjustability of back seats adds up to the glory of the interior.

Innova’s major appeal is believed to be the voluminous interior space and greater number of seats accommodated (8 persons), which is best in its class. Most of the cars / wagons face preference splitting over space as, either for passengers or for their luggage. Innova VX has successfully tried to manage the balance with the help of these adjustable rear seats, capable of moving back and forth.

The center console and dashboard are marvelously designed. Especially the faux wood finishing of the central console is highlighting. The dashboard is holding a
2 DIN Mp3 CD music system.

The price range may feel a little higher if we compare Innova VX with its rival Mahindra Xylo, launched very recently. Nevertheless, the difference in prices is justified by Innova VX, through its feature additions such as dual airbags, steering mounted music system controls, etc.

Pros :

• High class comfort and reliability by Toyota, one of the eminent global car brands
• Modification of the frontal shape, slight uplift (referred as face-lifted Innova!)
• A new varied color range is added to the base model Innova
• A stylish sporty look offered by pretty aerodynamic design
• A grand and extremely spacious interior with a seating capacity of 8 persons, interior accompanied by world class safety and comfort systems
• 3-D front, a really innovative modification
• New feature addition and modifications with retention of features from the successful base model Innova
• Front grille adding up to the looks of the MUV
• Superb suspension maneuver , double wishbone with stabilizer coil Spring at front and four link coil spring at rear
• Newly added front and rear bumpers
• Dual airbags (for driver and the front passenger)
• Air conditioning with automatic climate control system
• Clear lens headlamps and tail lamps
• Mp3 CD music system having 6 inlet CD changers
• Elegant dashboard accompanied by music system controls fitted on the steering as per the current trends
• Front fog lights
• Enough ground clearance (176 mm)
• centre console

Cons :

• Higher price range (compared with rival, Mahindra Xylo)
• Little insipid looks

Bottom Line :

The 2009 Innova VX is launched with considerable shape change at the front, offering sporty look to it. The price is raised in compensation with the modifications and added safety measures. The dual air bags, is one to mention. The immediate competitor in this category is the Xylo by M & M, producing a great deal of competition by lowering its prices. The cost-feature balancing pointer however, is settled by Xylo, comparatively low emphasis on safety systems, few technical concerns related to driver’s comfort and overall finishing. However Toyota has already made its reputation at the Indian car buyers and those with little flexible budgets would certainly admire the repayment in terms of added comforts.

The conclusion is, if you are looking for a MUV, looking stylish with no compromise at the interior space and safety measures, at a balancing cost, the new Toyota Innova VX is the ideal candidate!