New Innova Hycross debuts in India! New looks and a hybrid powertrain

Toyota have showcased the Innova Hycross hybrid in India. Although, if you had caught up to our Innova Zenix coverage of Indoesia, you don’t need to pay a lot of attention because they are basically the same. This new Innova is based on the TNGA-C platform and is offered with an optional hybrid powertrain which is a strong hybrid option. This new Innova will definitely be more feature laden than ever before. Let’s take a look at it.

Exterior Design

The Innova Hycross is a slight change from the existing MPV like design of the Innova Crysta and more in the direction of the Fortuner. The side profile will still remind you of an MPV like Innova with smaller wheels than a proper 4×4 SUV but, it definitely is more smarter and the rear overhang no longer depicts a typical MPV look. Good or bad? Well, that is a subjective opinion. To us, it is definitely better, sharper and smarter looking. Add that slightly larger wheels that suit the profile of being an SUV more and it kind of completes the look. This is even more obvious when you look at it from the front as we see a large hexagonal grille and a much more butch stance. Wrap around dual LED projector headlamp units remind you of the Crysta while the DRLs on the bumper give it a masculine SUVish look. The taillights are finally LED units as against the Innova Crysta which still did NOT offer LED taillights. Overall, the change is very well brought in and brings the MPV more in line with the expectations from a car in 2022.

Interior Design

The interior is a similar story to the exterior design. It is completely new and yet, it will remind you that the car is a luxury MPV. The layout and design is very similar to the recently launched Urban Cruiser Hyryder with the free-standing 10″ infotainment screen and a part digital 4.2 inch MID. The transmission lever attached right below the aircon vents at the front might not be to everyone’s taste though since, the “luxury” quotient somehow still lies in the center console/armrest housing the gear lever irrespective of a manual or automatic transmission.

For seating layout, the Innova Hycross comes with 7- and 8-seat configurations depending on the variant. Additionally, the 7-seat configuration gets two captain’s chairs equipped with a first-in-segment ottoman function for the middle row alongside a bench seat for the third row. The 8-seat layout though will offer bench seats for both the second and third row. Moreover, Toyota is providing three-point seatbelts for all passengers.

Powertrain

The Innova Hycross comes with a strong hybrid option similar to what we saw in the Hyryder and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. This hybrid known as THS (Toyota Hybrid System) internally, is a heavily localized version created specifically to cater to the price-sensitive Indian market. This hybrid churns out 152hp and 187Nm of torque coupled to an electric motor for a combined power output of 186hp. It also comes with a beefier 2.0-litre engine instead of the smaller units seen on the midsize SUVs.  This more powerful engine is a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine from Toyota’s Dynamic Force engine family which puts out 174hp and 197Nm, and comes mated to a CVT gearbox. As for diesel powertrains, there aren’t any since, a hybrid powertrain will do the duty for the fuel efficient engine and Toyota have taken a step away from the diesel powertrain even on the Innova. This could turn out either way for them because almost every other vehicle in the segment comes with a diesel engine. Especially the top selling models of the Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV700.

Safety and pricing

Toyota have also debuted their Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety tech which includes ADAS tech for India. This means it is laden with tech like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, a pre-collision system and even rear cross-traffic alert. For other safety features, this Innova Hycross comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Traction Control and ESP. As far as pricing goes, there are no details yet. The Hycross will be officially launched during the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo. We expect it to be priced in between the ₹21 – 27 lakh mark. Stay tuned for more.