What is the reason why Toyota Innova 2023 switched to SUV?

Toyota Innova 2023 (3rd generation) was officially introduced in Indonesia on November 21. In particular, the big change of Toyota Innova is the switch to the NTGA-C platform instead of the IMV platform that Toyota is applying to the mid-size SUV Fortuner and the pickup truck Hilux.

So why did Toyota Innova 2023 switch to using the TNGA-C platform? In this article, let's find out the reason for this with VietNamNet.

By the 3rd generation, Toyota Innova has officially abandoned the separate chassis (Body-on-frame) to switch to a unibody chassis, and has also changed the drive system from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive like its younger brothers Toyota Veloz and Avanza.

The use of a new chassis on the Toyota Innova 2023 may have been carefully researched by the Japanese automaker because of the advantages that the TNGA-C platform has that cannot be found on the old IMV platform.

Toyota Innova 2023 with new appearance has truly become an SUV

First is the possibility of applying hybrid technology. Obviously, Toyota's IMV platform, developed since 2002, was originally intended for conventional cars, not hybrids.

That means hybrid technology won't be available on IMV-based cars. Toyota says that even if it could be combined, the combination of technologies wouldn't work optimally.

In addition, the adoption of hybrid technology inevitably adds many components such as electric motors, fuel cells, so space is needed for those things. If space is not allocated from the beginning, engineers will have a hard time handling everything.

That's why the Toyota Innova EV Concept, introduced at the Indonesia International Motor Show in early April 2022, could not become a reality as a commercial version. Simply, its platform was not suitable for an EV model from the beginning.

Second, when using the TNGA-C platform, the 2023 Toyota Innova will have the opportunity to use new engines. That means the new Innova will say goodbye to the 2.0L engine coded 1TR-FE that has accompanied this model for nearly 20 years.

Instead, the 2.0L Dynamic Force Engine code M20A-FKS will be available on the Toyota Innova 2023. More power and torque, higher compression and of course more modern technology will help improve emissions and fuel consumption.

Finally, there are a series of other plus points from the TNGA-C platform on the Toyota Innova such as the weight has been reduced by 170 kg compared to the old generation model, the new chassis is confirmed to be more sturdy and stable and creates a more spacious interior space.

Therefore, with these advantages, it seems that Toyota's choice to use the TNGA-C platform for the new generation Innova 2023 is completely reasonable.

In Vietnam, in recent years, Toyota Innova has gone from being the "king" of the segment with sales of over a thousand cars per month to now "falling" to less than 300 cars, losing sales to smaller and cheaper MPV models like Mitsubishi Xpander or its "younger brothers" Veloz and Avanza.

The internal reason of Toyota Innova is that the design is too old, the separate chassis makes the vehicle's operation unstable, the functionality of the 7-seat MPV is overwhelmed by many new models while the engine is not really economical. In addition, the increasingly expensive selling price and difficulty in competing make Innova gradually lose its past "glory", facing the risk of being discontinued.

This is probably what Toyota has also seen to decide to make big changes on the Toyota Innova 2023. Currently, Toyota Corolla Cross and Corolla Altis are two Toyota models sold in Vietnam using the TNGA-C platform with stable sales, confident enough for Innova to follow a new direction.