What's new in Toyota Innova 2016 in Vietnam?

Modern design improvements along with more equipment are the basis for Toyota to expect Innova to keep its "seat".

Innova and Fortuner are the two latest Toyota models to enter the new version in the Vietnamese market. The Japanese car company let the first generation Innova last for more than 10 years, selling by taking full advantage of the advantages of durability, fuel economy and low breakdown rate which are very popular with old customers, mainly middle-aged and commercial.

With rivals such as Chevrolet Orlando, Kia Rondo or Suzuki Ertiga, Innova is still alone, because sales account for 80% of the segment. If it does not face strong competition in the small MPV segment in the Asian market, the new generation Innova may appear later. Innova 2016 brings improvements that have the power to redefine the concept of a "merely passenger" family car.

The second generation is designed in a new design language similar to Fortuner and Hilux, two models on the same global multi-purpose vehicle platform IMV that Toyota has developed since 2004.Projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, V version has additional LED low beam lights.The front provides a unified look and increases brand recognition.

Toyota Innova 2016 in Vietnam. Photo: Duc Huy.

Contributing to the new shape is the changing size. Xe increased in all three dimensions, 150 mm longer, 70 mm wider, and 35 mm higher, the wheelbase remained at 2,750 mm. The second generation looked longer and created a slightly sporty difference.NThe appearance is neat, balanced and has more SUV qualities but still has strong Asian features, not really a breakthrough.

The effect of the increased size is also a much more spacious interior. The ceiling is 10 mm higher, the distance between the front and rear seats is increased by 19 mm.Sitting in the back, even people 1.8 m tall will not feel uncomfortable. On this V version, there are only two large seats, covered in leather, hugging the back and can slide up and down.

The second row of seats is higher than the previous version, making passengers feel like the owner of a luxury car. Behind the front row of seats is a folding table for laptops, snacks and water. With the same warm brown color of leather or felt (E, G versions) covering the seats, the interior space is as warm as a family room.

The cabin design goes even further than the exterior. It’s hard to imagine the interior of a budget compact MPV. The dashboard stretches horizontally and curves Lexus-inspired. Faux wood and silver metal accents are used sparingly.The plastic frame is sturdy and no longer feels flimsy like before.

On the V version, the steering wheel is covered with leather and wood, the seats are leather, electric adjustment, above the glove box is a small cooling compartment, which can fit a few bottles of water, the cooling source comes from an additional air-conditioning vent. The Innova is clearly family-oriented with compartments and water holders everywhere in the car, enough to hold up to 20 bottles.

Compared to the old generation, the equipment on the new Innova has jumped a long way. Toyota has abandoned the J version, now the E version is the lowest version, aimed at commercial customers. Right on this version, the car has Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling, a 2-zone manual air-conditioning system, one-touch glass for all doors, USB connection, AUX, 6-speaker 1-disc CD, HDMI/Wifi. The Japanese car company said that taxi customers now have higher demands, so the poor equipment like the previous J version is no longer suitable.

New Innova interior. Photo: Le Hung.

Toyota knows how to make the price gap reasonable between versions. On G and E, the amenities are many times more "dizzying" than E. Automatic air conditioning, automatic on-off headlights and automatic steering angle adjustment on V version, electric folding rearview mirrors, optitron electronic clock cluster, 4.2-inch central touch screen, with a button to open and rotate the screen outward to reveal the CD and DVD slot inside, a rather sophisticated and rare design. The car ceiling has additional blue curved LED interior lights that can adjust the light intensity. V version also has a card reader, voice control system.

These features are actually less than its rival Kia Rondo. The top-end version of Rondo has many more features such as automatic wipers, dual-zone air conditioning, paddle shifters, anti-glare rearview mirror, sunroof, 10-way power driver's seat, calf support... But if you look at Toyota's tradition of focusing on durability, economy but little comfort, then Innova is a different world.

The Japanese automaker knew it was time for a change. The old customers couldn't afford to buy more cars, the new customers demanded more options. To keep the old customers and attract new ones, the only way was to add more amenities in addition to the inherent "good" brand value.

The second generation Innova has no engine changes, still the same type as 10 years ago, but with many refinements. The machine2 liter 4 cylinder with code 1TR-FE, upgraded VVT-i variable valve control technology to Dual VVT-i. Capacity reaches 137 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, maximum torque of 183 Nm at 4,000 rpm, power equivalent to the old version.

Toyota confirmed that it did not focus on changing the engine's power, but the goal is still smooth operation and fuel economy. The variable valve control technology has been upgraded to a dual type, which means it intervenes in both the intake and exhaust ports, not just focusing on the intake port as before. The engine also has an improved structure and an additional muffler on the intake line to minimize noise.

The automatic transmission on the G and V is a new 6-speed type instead of the previous 4-speed, thereby expanding the range of top-bottom gear ratios, the E version is still a 5-speed manual transmission. The automatic transmission adds a sporty gearshift function, the gear lever follows a zig-zag path to inspire driving, not as straight as before.

Innova's operation is revolutionary. Basically, the two most notable points are that it is surprisingly smoother and soundproof. The 4-link multi-link rear shock absorber with larger springs and optimized layout helps reduce reaction from the road surface.

Sitting on the 2015 version on a potholed road,A person nearly 1.8 m tall sitting in the third row may have a "headache" because it touches the ceiling, but in the 2016 version, the car swallows potholes more easily. Going straight on the road at high speed, it even feels like a miniature Lexus.

Soundproofing panels are placed everywhere, from the floor to the doors, the ceiling as well as the hood. Wind noise is significantly reduced, chassis noise and engine noise are also improved, but the new engine sound combined with the sealed insulation panels creates a resonant space, bringing in a buzzing sound every time you step on the gas pedal to overtake quickly.

The new Innova is much smoother and better soundproofed than before. Photo: Le Hung.

Sitting behind the wheel of the new Innova is more interesting with two buttons Eco Mode and Power Mode. The 5-speed manual transmission has no change in transmission, the engine has no change in power, so there is not much improvement in acceleration. The two running modes above only contribute to a little more emotion because of the manual transmission feature, gear shifting depends largely on the driver.

On the G and V with a 6-speed automatic, things are more obvious. When driving normally, shift at around 2,500 rpm. PressEco Mode, the car will affect the air conditioner, engine and gearbox to minimize throttle response. Everything is sluggish, slow and calm. The car shifts gears earlier, at 2,000 rpm, making it harder to overtake quickly, at this point you have to switch to sport gear.

Power Mode, on the other hand, makes the car roar loudly and shifts gears at 3,000 rpm. But unlike the usual Sport modes, Power only adds a little more power and fun because, after all, fuel economy is the ultimate goal. The sport mode (S +/-) of the gearbox is actually a gear limiter. If set to S3, the car will only run at a maximum of 3rd gear. At low speeds, the driver can push the gear lever so that the screen displays S6, but in fact the car is only running at S3, S4.

The steering wheel is still oil-assisted but improved to make it a bit lighter and smoother. However, when accelerating, due to the hydraulic characteristics and high oil pressure, the steering wheel is light and the play increases, and the steering wheel on the road surface when cornering is less precise. If driving steadily at 90-100 km/h, the MPV model is comfortable, moderate, and does not sway, with a rpm of about 2,300-2,500 rpm. The Innova is like a middle-aged man who has just regained his youth. The accelerator and brake pedals are elastic and tight enough to feel in harmony with the steering wheel.

Safety technology on the Innova includes ABS, EBD, BA standard on all three versions. The V version has additional electronic body balance VSC, hill start assist HAC and emergency brake lights that flash continuously to let the following vehicle know. All three cars have reverse sensors, even the highest-end V version does not have a reverse camera. The E and G versions have 3 airbags, the V has 7 airbags.

Launched in the second half of July, the new model brought surprises even to Toyota Vietnam itself. Normally, when a new generation is launched, the old generation will sell slowly, but both the old and new versions of Innova recorded better sales than expected.The new Innova V costs nearly 1 billion VND, with an estimated first batch of 30 cars sold, but actual orders were up to 100 cars, accounting for 15% of total sales.

Innova now approaches the market with a different mindset, the transformation of the strong. The E version is priced at793 million, G is priced at 859 million and V is priced at 995 million. E and G are still the two main versions to generate sales for Innova, while V has the task of raising the segment. In terms of size, equipment and price, V is no longer in the same category as other small MPVs.

Toyota also has the ambition to make V a new rival in the 1 billion car segment, competing with the trendy C-size crossovers such as CX-5, CR-V. Innova's biggest advantage in this battle, besides its inherent brand strength, is thanks to its 7 seats, meeting the needs of transporting the whole family and storing things. Toyota's goal is 950 Innova cars per month.

According to VNE