Toyota thought they could lure some D segment sedan users with the introduction of the Innova. They actually thought that the Innova was good enough for that. They were damn right because I am one such user who made that change.
I just got the Innova G3 diesel about 10 days back and have put a few hundred miles on it. I had the Optra LT 1.8 for 19 months that I sold to buy the Innova. The main reason was the space and utility I needed with my infant son and my weekend passion for aeromodeling. These(Radio Controlled) planes with a wing span in excess of 7 feet were almost impossible to lug around in the Optra. I had to take them around in my friends station wagon or in an extremely knocked down state in my optra.
The optra 1.8 was very peppy and luxurious but was quite a guzzler (8 in the city, 11 on long runs). I thought I had to make this sacrifice in Luxury and ride quality for utility and economy. To my surprise and amazement I had to sacrifice neither of the two. It was like getting the best of both worlds.
COMPETITION
I Think the Scorpio’s / Tavera’s / Sumo Victa’s and the Qualis’ are no where in the same league as the Innova - both in design and refinement. I had a choice of any of the above vehicles but they lack the basic combination of power/refinement/space/luxury/looks/economy that I expect out of a family car. For instance the Scorpio does have the looks(atleast for the first few times you see it) and the power but the refinement and luxury are lacking. The Tavera may have the space and economy, but the looks and power are lacking. The Qualis(some stocks were still available with dealers), I find so ugly that I can’t look beyond that aspect. I am sure it’s designer needed psychiatric help after he saw his creation take shape.
Infact, if I were to give the Innova an 8/10 overall, I don’t see any of the above going over a 6/10 - and that too is pushing it.
POWER AND TORQUE
I have been a critic of diesel engines in family cars for sometime now(esp. for self driven cars), but my opinion is fast changing with the introduction of the common rail diesel injection engines. The flatter torque curve at the top and quick response to throttle inputs is fast bridging the gap between diesel and petrol engine technology. No comparisons to the smoothness and response of a powerful petrol engine, but the Innova’s common rail engine really packs a punch through low to the high RPM’s. It is smooth and it’s 200+ Nm max torque is available at as low as 1400 RPM and goes all the way up to 3400, so you feel that pussssssh in your back right through that 25KMPH in the 2nd gear to 80 in the 4th. I change gears at about 2800 and the RPM drops to about 1600 on the higher gear. So you are well within the high torque zone through your smooth accelaration from 0 to a 100. At no point while driving the vehicle did I feel the lack of horsepower.
INTERIORS/EXTERIORS
Although not as luxuriously appointed as the top end optra or the top end Corolla(that has leather seats, In dash CD changer, sunroof in the optra, elecrically folding mirrors etc), the interiors are very comfortable and pleasing. The 2-toned dashboard styling is very sleek and modern. It is beautifully curved with a slight hump forming at the centre console. (Whats with men and beautiful curves ???). At the first glimpse inside, you’ll be fooled into thinking you’re entering a luxurious sedan rather than a minivan. If we talk in percentages, the interiors are 70% sedan and 30% minivan(the 30% contributed by the huge space, overhead clearance and elevated seating position).
The exteriors are 70% minivan and 30% sedan(the 30% contributed by the front which, at a fleeting glimpse resembles both its sedan siblings from toyota). That apart, the exteriors are pleasing but nothing spectacular.
Overall I would rate the interiors 8.5/10 and the exterior 7.5/10.
THE DRIVE
The Innova has an excellent ride quality and adequate handling. The power steering is butter smooth and very authoritative. Although one feels a little nervous taking on turns at higher speeds when compared to a large sedan, that is understandable owing to the higher CG in MPV’s. On the highway, the diesel engine holds 120KM/H comfortably in the 5th gear, but once you cross 130, you CAN hear some signs of a protest brewing under the bonnet. Again, these vehicles are not designed for speed, and, who needs to go above 130 on Indian roads anyway. The suspension is is another positive highlight in the Innova. Post monsoon pot-holes are handled with a muffled(read almost muted) thud rather than a bone-jarring dang. This, surprisingly, holds true for the passengers in the 3rd row as well.
The thing that put me off most was the gear shift lever. It is long and your hand needs to travel a lot more while shifting gears. To top it, it is not too smooth and needs a lot of getting used to, esp. if you are used to a sedans short gear lever.
MILEAGE
I did a long drive from Chandigarh to Delhi and some local city driving in Gurgaon. It has given me an combined mileage of 12.5KMPL(100% with AC)thats cheaper than running a NON AC Maruti 800. On the flip side I will need to drive it 32, 000 Kms just to recover the Rs.60, 000 I have paid for a diesel over the petrol. The key is to go diesel if you are planning on putting huge miles on it. I surely hope I do.
SPACE
The best part of all is the space and the way it has been utilized. The second row of seats are fully adjustable and that can give you leg room worthy of a head of state. Even with all 3 rows fully occupied by passengers, the leg room is at the very least ’’comfortably adequate’’ for all. With them folded away, it is a house on wheels. I could easily take my wife, son, his maid, his pram (and that is an SUV in prams - wonder if it has AWD!!!), picnic hamper, cooler, my quarter scale Piper cub (about 8’ wingspan) and a host of other smaller planes to my flying field without a fuss. Now all this is understandable in a van.....but in a vehicle with its outer dimensions (L X W) almost the same as the Optra or Corolla!!!! - Thats something I can’t digest.
I have edited the mileage, I had said 14 but it is 12.5 after 3 tankfulls with combined city and highway driving. I assume 11.5 in the City and 13.5 on the highway with AC running at all times....