For those like me who live in suburbs, travel no more than 12000-15000 kms per year, want a safe vehicle for self and family and appreciate a gem once they zero in on one (phew!), the Innova Petrol makes perfect sense.
I bought a 2.0 VVT-i Innova model V (yes the loaded one) from Ms. Galaxy Toyota (Kotla Mubarakpur, South Delhi) in July 2006. After having driven it around for about 2000 kms (initial enthusiasm - normally I would do no more than 800-1000 kms monthly); I am happy to vouch for the three things I originally looked forward to:
1. Space / comfort - obviously there is oodles of it. However what a lot of people do not realize is that the Innova has these really cool cubbyholes for all the knick-knacks one carries - especially with two toddlers. Also, the aircon in the humid Delhi monsoons was an absolute relief within 2-3 minutes of liftoff and that too after being parked in the open for many hours.
2. Smoothness / finesse - you got to ride it to believe it. Despite the height and bulk, the Innova sails over potholes, not so pucca roads and tight spots more like a dolphin than a whale as the looks might initially suggest. If one is watchful and with the LARGE rear view mirrors there is no excuse not to be, one can guide the Innova through city traffic without incident or embarrassment. Just be careful with that smooth as can be steering - it is tempting to weave through traffic owing to the power delivery as well as that ’warm wrap-around feeling’ the Innova offers while maneuvering. However one has to live with the fact that the lesser mortals on the road do not normally rely on equivalent quality of engineering.
3. Safety - last but not the least I finally am able to curse less and drive more. Probably owing to the fact that (a) the bulk of Innova is a bit more difficult to ignore and other vehicles tend to give me somewhat more breathing space; but (b) primarily owing to the nimble footing of the vehicle combined with the reassurance in ABS and air bag technology especially at higher speeds. I am also able to buckle in both my kids in individual car seats with ample space for five more adults including myself.
Alas, perfection is relative too! And there are indeed a couple of chinks in the Toyota marvel’s armor:
(A) Fuel guzzling – well, what can I say. I’ve been steadily achieving about 9 kmpl in city and 12.5 on the motorway – both figures with aircon on. However, I believe Toyota could work a bit more out of this engine if they really want the Indian suburban upper middle class to really take notice of their petrol variant.
(B) Dealer – lesser-said better it is. I found the salesman at the Toyota dealer not only poorly informed about the vehicle’s design & engineering, but also quite ignorant to the fact that selling Rs. 10 lacs plus vehicles is somewhat different than selling bicycles. If it were not for the Toyota tag and the Innova lure based on what I had read and seen outside of that showroom, I would have probably walked across to the nearest Honda or Chevrolet for competing vehicles in that segment. Summarily, the purchase was a long drawn and messy affair with first the dealership getting the specs wrong (got me a 7 seater instead of 8 that I had ordered), which was damaged owing to handling between their showrooms, and then not following up as rigorously as one would expect. They did assuage the pain a bit by loaning me one of their test drive vehicles for the two weeks it took them to get my correct vehicle. However, the battle to get all promised accessories and registration papers etc. still wages on. Lets see if the service is any better …