Toyota Innova HyCross

Expert Review by Maxabout

Overview

At the very mention of Toyota, you think of dependability, longevity, and excellent service support. Badges like the Qualis, Fortuner and Innova have helped to cement that in most of us. The Toyota Innova HyCross has some big shoes to fill, and on paper, it appears to be capable of doing so.

The diesel Innova Crysta will be joined in 2023 by an all-new generation of the Innova. It is called the Innova Hycross, and it comes in two iterations: a powerful hybrid and a pure petrol model.

To say the Innova is a popular family car is akin to saying Virat Kohli is in top form or Elon Musk is an eccentric billionaire. But not everyone is aware that Toyota has been somewhat struggling with the Innova Crysta. Since they stopped producing the diesel model due to a high demand pattern and an increased waiting period.

Toyota Innova Hycross Design and Style

In any case, the new Hycross represents a significant advancement for the Innova brand as we know it. It looks fantastic, it is a high-tech self-charging hybrid. It has features that we haven't seen in any Toyota before. The Innova Hycross is a large MPV, measuring 4.75m in length, 1.85m in width, 1.79m in height, and 2.85m in wheelbase. The SUV-centric design gives it the presence and poise of a big burly SUV rather than a people mover.

The front end is with a high bonnet and massive bumper. For added flair, the 18-inch alloy wheels are finished in chrome. Toyota has decided that the top-tier ZX and ZX (O) models should come with 50-section low-profile tyres that do not fill the wheel arches.

2023 Toyota Innova Hycross commands a lot of attention on the road. Toyota has worked hard to make the Hycross. It is based on a completely different platform than its predecessor. And it looks like the Innova with which it shares its name. There is enough going on with the design to set it apart from the Crysta. While the side panel accents are like those on the Innova. The bonnet, roof line, wheel arch flares, and C-pillar area are beefier to give the HyCross a more commanding stance.

Interior of Toyota Innova Hycross

Toyota has taken another significant step forward in perceived quality and appearance. The most expensive Hycross has a dual-tone dash finished in what appears to be dark chestnut. With soft-touch materials almost everywhere you touch across the top half of the cabin. So, in comparison to its predecessor, the Hycross cabin is excellent.

When it comes to seating comfort, the Hycross continues to impress. The front seats are spacious and high, giving you a commanding view of the road. The driving position resembles that of an SUV rather than a people mover. The visibility from the side windows is excellent. Because the A-pillar on the Hycross is slimmer than on the Crysta, it is much easier to maneuver in traffic.

The highlight of the new Innova Hycross is its second-row seating and the features that surround it. You get individual quilted leather seats that are adjustable. Both have adjustable footrests and a retractable storage bin in the centre for your smartphone or small tablet.

The Ottoman seats are well-sized and cushioned keeping comfort in mind. Given the long wheelbase and the ability to slide the middle seats all the way back (provided the third row is empty). The amount of legroom available is incredible. There is plenty of headroom, and because the Hycross is a wide MPV, there is plenty of shoulder room.

Behind the business-class-style second row, things get a little more complicated. To begin, accessing the third row in this top-spec version with the electric seats requires patience. Because they are electric, there is no one-touch option to fold them forward. You must wait for the electronics to move the backrest at their own sweet pace. Second, despite Toyota's claims, the third row cannot accommodate three people. There is about enough shoulder room for two adults, but neither would complain about awkward sitting. The Hycross is a proper three-row vehicle with ample head and legroom in the third row. The backrest is spacious, and the under-thigh support is adequate. Because, unlike many three-row models, there is legitimate vertical space between the seat base and the floor.

Toyota Innova Hycross Engine and Gearbox

2023 Innova Hycross is a pleasure to drive, whether you're commuting or going on a weekend trip. Its intimidating size, chunky doors, and controls may appear to be a challenge but isn't. It is quite easy to maneuver or park, thanks to the combination of light controls and the hybrid powertrain.

It has a 2.0-litre strong hybrid setup with a petrol engine that produces a max power of 172 HP and 209 Nm of peak torque. And an electric motor produces a max power of 11 bhp and a peak torque of 206 Nm. The combined power is routed to the front wheels via an e-CVT, the Innova is now a front-wheel-drive monocoque MPV.

For an Innova, the startup sequence is quite wild. Thumb the starter button, pull the gear lever down to D and let go of the brakes to move in silence. Courtesy of the hybrid setup's nickel metal hydride battery. The Hycross accelerates with such ease as a noiseless, vibration-free Innova. Of course, there will be some noise as soon as the petrol engine kicks in, but it remains smooth and refined.

Because it's a self-charging hybrid, it has a dedicated EV driving mode that allows you to move forward on electric power. But the battery can only power the car for a short distance before it runs out of juice. Finally, this configuration works best in stop-and-go traffic, where you tend to spend a lot of time without covering a lot of ground. Performance is adequate with both motors working together, with a strong surge of power up to triple-digit speeds. The Hycross achieves highway speeds, though it is quite noisy while doing so.

Toyota Innova Hycross Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

Toyota has transitioned from ladder-on-frame to front-wheel drive monocoque for the Innova Hycross. It has resulted in some significant changes on the road, the majority of which are positive. Despite the complexity of the drivetrain, the body of this Innova is stiffer than before. The entire vehicle is around 200 kilograms lighter. The underpinnings include a McPherson strut at the front and a semi-independent torsion beam at the rear. It may not appear to be very high-tech. The way the Hycross rides on different surfaces is a testament to all of the effort that has gone into setting up the suspension. The Innova no longer jostles or struggles to hide its weight over uneven surfaces. Its ride has a newfound pliancy that makes it so good over broken or undulated roads. The profile on the 225/50 section tyres is far too low for certain environments. It may be difficult to maintain these 18-inch wheels on the roughest roads.

Key Features of Toyota Innova Hycross

One of the highlights of the new HyCross is the design and sheer amount of space available. The dash design is cleaner and more modern than what we've come to expect from Toyota. The large 10-inch touchscreen takes centre stage, and the interface is simple and quick to use. It even has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both of which are wireless. A 7-inch analogue and coloured MID sits in front of the driver.

Soft-touch leatherette materials cover the majority of the touchpoints in the front row. It includes the centre part of the dashboard. The entire cabin experience is premium and comfortable. The seats are supportive and comfortable. The driver's seat in the Innova Hycross has an 8-way power adjustment. It is a shame the passenger seat isn't powered. But we would trade that for air cooling, which Toyota has provided.

This is the most feature-rich Toyota available, even more so than the Fortuner. It comes with a panoramic sunroof roof, dual-zone climate control, and a nine-speaker JBL sound setup. Sunshades, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, connected car tech, and auto-dimming IRVM are included.

Other features in the second row include a flip-up table. It could be a little more sturdy, with cupholders in the door pocket, USB ports, sunshades, and roof-mounted air conditioning vents.

Safety features include 6 airbags, vehicle stability control, and hill-start assist. Along with a 360-degree camera, TPMS, the ADAS suite with adaptive cruise control. Lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Blind Spot monitor come with the HyCross package.

Toyota Innova Hycross Competitors

Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Carens, Kia Carnival, MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV700, Mahindra Marazzo, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Tata Safari, and Toyota Innova Crysta are some similar cars that will rival the new Toyota Innova Hycross in the Indian market.

Conclusion

2023 Hycross is almost exactly what Innova fans have been hoping for. It's spacious and comfortable, has a strong road presence, and rides smoothly. Sure, it won't be as efficient over long distances as the diesel Crysta. However, if you need a large vehicle for your large family and live in the city, the Innova Hycross is a viable option. It is simple to drive a city car, and it is also efficient for a large petrol automatic. Furthermore, the extensive feature set enhances the cabin experience. Toyota guarantees that this platform will continue to provide service backup, longevity, and dependability.