CARVERSAL

With a very bold step to consolidate its foothold in the fiercely competitive multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) space, Toyota Kirloskar Motor launched the new facelift version of its popular Innova model on Friday.

The updated Innova has an ex-showroom price tag of ₹25 lakh and will now compete for market share with others like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga that has swept the affordable MPV market for quite some time now.

The new Innova facelift comes loaded with a bevy of upgradations such as refreshed styling, enhanced features, and improvements in performance and therefore makes a pretty attractive offer to families as well as fleet operators.

Design and Styling Updates

A new facelift has helped bring the Toyota Innova up by several notches, where its rugged and practical design was something that has been revealed right from the inception.

The front fascia features a restyled grille with a chrome finish, thus giving it a premium look. The headlights are updated with LED elements for improved visibility and an elegant touch. The bumper is also revised, with sharper lines and a sportier stance.

The rear gets restyled LED taillights along with a refreshed tailgate design. The shape remains the same, but of course, keeping the MPV's spacious functionality. New designs for alloy wheels and more additional colors give this vehicle a newer and fresher look.

Upgrades in Interior

Inside, the Innova facelift has offered a more premium and tech-heavy cabin. The dashboard is revised for ergonomics and aesthetics. A 9-inch infotainment screen is mounted atop the dashboard and guarantees seamless connectivity via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and in-house navigation systems from Toyota. Soft-touch surfaces and premium upholstery options elevate the interior.

The Innova will continue to offer seating for seven or eight, depending on the variant. Long journeys have become a pleasure due to the comfort provided by second-row captain seats. Convenience has been enhanced with new features like wireless charging, automatic climate control, and rear sunshades.

Safety Enhancements

As anticipated, the Innova facelift will always be safety-oriented. The new Innova has been well-prepared for all situations and has full safety features, including six airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, and a rearview camera.

In addition, the car will also get Toyota's Safety Sense package with all the technologies in ADAS, like lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking.

Performance and Powertrain

The innova facelift remains reliable on the new diesel engine. Under the hood is the trusted 2.4-liter unit which gives off 148 bhp and 343 Nm of torque. Transmission comes either with a 5-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic as an option.

A new addition is also seen in hybrid. A combination of 2.0 liters of petrol power along with electric motors provides efficiency, reducing fuel and emission rates.

The hybrid model is going to be a savior, for it will reportedly achieve a maximum fuel economy of 20 km/l, meaning it will certainly be one of the most efficient in its segment. The suspension system has also been fine-tuned for ride comfort, not even on some of the country's worst roads.

Price and Positioning

The new Innova facelift is a premium offering in the MPV market with a starting price of ₹25 lakh. It is much costlier than the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which begins at a little over ₹9 lakh, but the Innova is worth every penny because it is built better, has technology features, and is reliable.

Toyota is targeting a wide spectrum of customers, including large families, corporate fleets, and ride-hailing services. The company believes that the new facelift will attract buyers who are looking for a spacious, comfortable, and feature-packed MPV.

Competition and Market Outlook

Competition in the MPV space in India has been huge. The new entrants have had it tough alongside established names like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Marazzo, and Kia Carens.

Ertiga, especially, has always been on the money and is a saver. But with the new Innova facelift, the idea seems to be to try and promote that more premium experience.

A hybrid version would be the key launch in order to respond to the demand created in India on eco-friendly cars. As stringent emission norms become a constant aspect of the Indian and international scenario, along with an upsurge in fuel prices, hybrids and electric cars would eventually be the next buzzword within the next couple of years.