Updated thoughts at the end (Nov. 2, 2006)Well I drove my Innova home last night. I opted for the middle-of-the-road G2 and the Petrol, as I won’t be putting huge miles on the car and I actually like to drive. Right off the top I should tell all you Indians reading this that I’m American, but I bought an Innova in Pune, as I live in India. So I will compare it to a host of other vehicles to try to bring some perspective. I test-drove the diesel and found it very nice to drive. Buttery, toyota-smooth transmission (why non-Japanese cars can’t duplicate such ease of shifting I don’t know) and decent pickup. Pulling out of the dealership I was going 110kmph before I bothered looking down at the speedo, effortlessly. However with the diesel I found that top end torque, accelerating from say 90-110 wasn’t quick or gutsy, but it got there readily enough, but no freeway heroics or adrenaline rush. Since the test-drive, I’ve driven my petrol model 60km up the expressway towards Lonavala and I despite the general incline of my journey, I had a hard time keeping it under 120kmph. The Petrol engine just wants to GO! Very very easy to drive. Comparing it to the Bolero, Scorpio and Qualis I also test-drove, it’s basically like comparing a car to tank, both go forward, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s much more Camry than Qualis, as others have noted before. The real thrust of this review will be extolling the interior. Incredibly well-engineered. It’s 1 inch longer than Corolla, yet seats 8 comfortably. Well the third person in the back row might be a bit cramped, depending on the size of the people, but the front-to-back length inside and versatility of the seating is staggering. I’m 5’10’’ and like do have the driver’s seat fairly far back, probably 80-90% back (didn’t count the notches, but 1 notch from all the way back). My middle row slides (G2+G3 models have sliding middle row, 2 lower models do not, and top V model has captain’s chairs for 2 instead of a middle row - this costs you seating for 1, but those chairs are premium and gorgeous, quality over quantity, don’t avoid the V over that!) and I had it all the way forward and I could comfortably sit behind the driver’s seat, even when it was adjusted nearly all the way back. And then, having the the middle row all the way forward meant that there was plenty of leg room even in the back row - a huge advantage over any other non-premium (S)UV I’ve seen in India. The floor around before the rear row sinks down a couple inches, making the precious difference between cramped and comfortable for the back row. Also, it should be noted that since all seats recline in the Innova, you lean your seat back 2’’ and it effectively gives you an extra inch of leg room. Only wealthy basketball teams would have space issues in this car... which I’ll reiterate is mind-boggling, as it isn’t that big of a footprint - like driving a Corolla! In the states I’ve always owned Hondas, but among my family members I’ve driven Range Rovers, Mercedes (sedans and the M Class SUV), Nissan Xterra and several top-end mini-vans. It’s hard to categorize the Innova. Best description I’ve come up with is ’Burly minivan’ but the clearance and suspension are more UV than soccer-mom, which is obviously optimal for Indian conditions, so yeah, it’s a new category... the Tavera Killer? Compared to those cars above, Innova is more spacious (without being bigger than any of them) inside. It’s finished very nicely, although obviously it’s not a Merc. It’s practical (a la Toyota) without being utilitarian (a la Bolero), and easier to drive than anything other than the Merc. I wish they made an automatic tranny, but I’m sure in India I’m in the minority. I know they make the automatic elsewhere, but I’ll be fine shifting lefty once I get the hang of it. One other note to those who mourn the loss of the Qualis, those who bemoan that the Innova is no true Qualis replacement: name 1 thing the Qualis does better than Innova? Ok fine it was a bit cheaper except at the top levels, but those who feel the Innova isn’t as ready for ’rough use’ as the Qualis, I ask why not. Sure it looks 40 times better, but the Innova is actualy vastly more spacious for hauling things around in. Get the rubber floormats and pop the seats up and don’t feel badly using it however you want. It’s your car to serve you and your purposes. Maybe people felt better about abusing Qualis because it was ugly, I don’t know, but the Innova has TONS Of storage space and is not fragile. That’s about all I wanted to say. I’ll add anything pertinent should the need arise over the next couple months, but I’m very very happy with the Innova. 18 MONTHS LATERJust wanted to update a little after enjoying the Innova for a year and a half. Still a fantastic vehicle, I’ve only put 13, 000km on it. No engine trouble whatsoever. Had a hairline crack form in the windshield which was fixed quickly under warranty - I guess it happened to a few of the early production vehicles. I bought mine in the first month it was out so that’s to be expected. Tubeless tires are great - never had a blowout, despite driving quickly and rough over terrible Lonavala roads. The interiors are great, light beige fabric isn’t the easiest to keep clean, but it sure is versatile. I put the rear seats up and down all the time as my load/people carrying capacity changes regularly.My seating record is 13 full-sized adults (ie. mostly Americans). Not recommended for more than a few km :)Back in the US my dad drives a BMW X3 (SUV). My wife hates riding in it because it’s so much less comfortable and spacious than our Innova.. which was half the price. We also had an interesting experience going, with the same 400kg of luggage, to the US airport in a rented Chevy Expedition (HUUUGE American gas-guzzling SUV) and cramming our luggage in, and then being picked up in Bombay with our Innova. Same number of people, same luggage, but a way easier fit in the Innova - it’s just engineered that much better :)The other factor I should mention is that there are several times in the past 18 months when I wish I also had a smaller car. I feel a little silly driving that big, cavernous vehicle as the sole occupant, and I’ve had more than my share of nicks and scrapes trying to wield it through narrow Indian traffic conditions. It’s tops for a good-sized family, but having a small car certainly has many advantages in certain situations in India.