Toyota Innova
The Toyota Innova is a series of multi-purpose vehicles manufactured by the Japanese carmaker Toyota since 2004, mainly sold with three-row seating.
The Innova is the replacement for wagon versions of Kijang, which was also marketed under different names such as Tamaraw FX/Revo, Unser, Zace and Condor. Like the outgoing Kijang, the first two generations of the Innova are rear-wheel-drive vehicles built on the body-on-frame chassis shared with the Hilux pickup truck and the Fortuner SUV under the IMV project, instead of the unibody construction commonly used by MPVs of its era. The chassis was adopted due to the perceived strength and durability which are preferred by customers mainly in Indonesia. The third-generation model introduced in 2022 switched to front-wheel-drive layout, using the GA-C platform with a unibody chassis. The change was made to make use of the hybrid powertrain, and to provide the comfort and efficiency benefits of the front-wheel-drive layout.
The Innova first entered production in Indonesia in August 2004 and has been manufactured in other emerging countries such as India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Innova has also been marketed in Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, GCC countries, Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica and Argentina.
The name Innova comes from the English word 'innovate'. Its official name in Indonesia is Toyota Kijang Innova, while for other countries it is simply called "Innova". For the second generation, it is known as Toyota Innova Crysta in India and Thailand. For the third generation, it received another moniker in Indonesia as the Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix and in India as the Toyota Innova HyCross along with its rebadged version Maruti Suzuki Invicto.
First generation (AN40; 2004)
In September 2004, Toyota debuted the first-generation Innova in Indonesia. It followed the 2003 introduction of the Avanza—the replacement for low-spec versions of the Kijang. Badged as the Kijang Innova, the first-generation Innova in Indonesia was marketed as the fifth-generation Kijang to maintain the lineage with the fourth-generation model. It also had a more upmarket positioning than the latter.Development started in 1999, and was led by Kaoru Hosokawa, the chief engineer and product planning leader of Toyota Commercial Vehicle Development Centre. Targeted annual production in Indonesia was 80,000 units, including 10,000 units for export.
Compared to the long-wheelbase fourth-generation Kijang wagon, the Innova was made longer and wider while gained a more rounded MPV proportions. Its wheelbase also grew by. Unlike its predecessor, the Innova could be equipped with modern safety features such as ABS and airbags as it was designated as a more global oriented model. Other technologies incorporated to the Innova include throttle-by-wire and variable valve timing. It adopted independent double wishbone front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar and a four-link solid axle rear suspension with a lateral rod.
Depending on the market and grade level, the Innova could be configured as a two-row five-seater vehicle, or a three-row vehicle with either eight seats or a more upscale seven-seat layout with captain seats for the second row.
Updates
2008
The facelifted Innova debuted on 26 August 2008 in Indonesia. It featured a redesigned front and rear bumper, front grille, and rear taillights. It was also launched in the Philippines in November 2008 and in India on 28 January 2009. In August 2009, the E and G-type Kijang Innova received improvements, such as redesigned side body moulding, chrome ornaments on rear windshield and boot lid. The Luxury package was also introduced for the G and V type.2011
On 20 July 2011, Toyota launched the second facelift of the Innova in Indonesia. It featured redesigned headlights, grille, bonnet, bumpers, taillights and wheels. The interior was updated with an updated steering wheel, updated air-conditioning knobs, and a revised center dashboard design.2013
The third facelift of the Innova debuted in August 2013 in Indonesia, which introduced a revised front bumper, boot garnish and equipment upgrades.Markets
India
In India, the Innova was introduced in February 2005 to replace the Qualis. It was available with twelve variants. Three variants of the Innova came with a petrol engine option which was powered by a 2.0-litre engine with electronic fuel injection. The diesel variants of the Innova are powered by a 2.5-litre engine. The available grades were E, G, GX and VX. In 2012, "Z" was made as a flagship grade above the VX. Toyota set an initial sales target of 45,000 units annually.The Innova was sold in large numbers in India —primarily serving the tourist taxi market and fleet operations of large technology business process outsourcing companies.
In 2009, a facelift was introduced with exterior cosmetic changes, and the inclusion of an intercooler.
A second facelift was introduced in 2012 at the 11th Auto Expo with updated bumper designs, grille, updated headlights and newly designed alloy wheels. Steering-mounted controls for the audio and climate control system became an option.
The first-generation Innova received an update for the Indian market in 2015. With this update, all variants gained dual airbags and there were cosmetic changes such as the inclusion of dark grey two-tone alloy wheels, wood finished steering wheel, redesigned leather seats, and an oak interior colour. Rear HVAC outlets became standard as a part of this update.
Indonesia
The Kijang Innova was introduced in Indonesia on 1 September 2004. It was initially available in E, G and V grade levels, equipped with either 2.0-litre petrol or 2.5-litre diesel engine. Manual transmission was offered in all grades, while the automatic transmission was only offered in G and V grades. The E and G grades retained three-spoke steering wheel design from the second facelift fourth-generation Kijang and first-generation Vios, while the V grade shared its four-spoke steering wheel design from the E120 series Corolla Altis, first-generation Alphard, facelifted J100 series Land Cruiser and the facelifted XV30 series Camry.In January 2005, the 2.7 V grade was released as the flagship model. It was equipped with a 2.7-litre 2TR-FE engine, dual airbags, ABS, seven-seat layout, with no manual transmission option. It was discontinued in 2007 due to low demand caused by its relatively high price. In 2006, the V Xtra grade was released with similar equipment levels as the 2.7 V grade.
In early 2007, the engines on the Indonesian market Kijang Innova were updated to comply with the Euro 2 emission standards. It received a catalytic converter and the injection system was changed to a closed loop system. The Kijang Innova also received a front mesh grille.
In January 2008, the G grade could be optioned as a seven-seater with the "Captain Seat" sub-grade.
The facelifted Kijang Innova was released on 26 August 2008 with updated front bumper and grille design, taillights and bumpers, and redesigned wheels. At the 17th Indonesia International Motor Show in July 2009, the G Luxury and V Luxury grades were introduced as replacements for the V Xtra grade. In August 2009, the petrol-only J grade was introduced as the base model.
On 20 July 2011, the Kijang Innova received a second facelift. Changes include updated front clip design, taillights, redesigned wheels and updated center dashboard design.
On 19 August 2013, the third facelift of the Kijang Innova was launched. Changes consist of a larger grille, redesigned bumpers and an updated boot garnish exclusive to the E, G and V grades. In August 2014, the Kijang Innova was updated again with the redesigned wheels, while Luxury grades received a redesigned rear body kit.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, the Innova was launched on 27 May 2005, replacing the Unser and was offered in two variants: the E and G, both powered by the 1TR-FE 2.0-litre engine with VVT-i. The powertrains available were either paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.Philippines
In Philippines, the Innova was introduced in March 2005 to replace the Revo. Grade levels include the J, the E, the G, and V.The first facelift of Innova came out in 2008 with the same four grades. In 2010, an upgraded version of the Innova E variant called the Sport Runner was offered. It was only available with a 2.5-litre diesel engine and was offered with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. It has sportier body kits and 5-spoke SR wheels. Available colors were Beige and Black metallic. It was offered until early 2012 and in that same year, a second facelift version was introduced.
In early 2014, another facelift version was launched and in 2015, the E variant was added with rear demister and has same wheel design as the G and V grades.
In June 2015, TMP offered a limited edition 1 Million Innova with GPS navigation, rear spoiler and 1 Million badge, and a special Jade Green Metallic exterior colour.
The first-generation Innova was sold over 140,000 units in the Philippines.