Toyota Innova Hycross

Step inside the cabin of the Toyota Innova Hycross, and you will be pleased by the fresh approach Toyota has followed for the cabin layout. Finished in a dual-tone black and burgundy upholstery, the cabin of the Innova Hycross looks very much upmarket compared to that of the previous Innova, which only gets better with newer features on board. The Innova Hycross is available with both a 7-seater configuration with captain seats in the middle row and an 8-seater configuration with a flat bench in the middle row.

The driver’s cockpit of the Toyota Innova Hycross comprises of a newly-designed three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel and a new-generation full-TFT instrument console behind it. The centre console looks very much upmarket with a free-standing 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, below which there are rectangular AC vents and a gloss-black panel for the switches of automatic climate control. The lower slanted panel houses the transmission lever with satin silver surrounds.

The cabin of the Toyota Innova Hycross feels very much premium over the previous Innova, and the credit for that goes to the enhanced features list too. Apart from the features mentioned above, the Toyota Innova Hycross also gets a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, powered front seats with ventilation function, paddle shifters, ambient lighting, push start-stop button and cruise control.

Compared to the bulky-looking stance of the previous-generation Innova, the new Toyota Innova Hycross tries to look more contemporary with its sleeker and more modern styling, which makes it look very current-generation. It takes a few styling elements from the previous Innova and other global products like Veloz and RAV4.

Take, for instance, the front hexagonal grille of the Toyota Innova Hycross, which looks very similar to that of the previous Innova. However, this grille looks fresher with a new honeycomb mesh and revised chrome garnish on the sides and lower part of the grille. The headlamps of the Innova Hycross look very sleek and feature an all-LED illumination while growing in size towards the outer part. The front bumper, with its tilted 7-shaped satin silver garnish around the dual-functioning daytime running LED strip, makes the front profile look aggressive.

The Toyota Innova Hycross looks much sleeker and more modern than the outgoing Innova when viewed from the side, with the MPV having smooth curves flowing over the door panels while rising upwards. The MPV here comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, which look a bit small and undersized for a vehicle of this size. For an added sense of style, the Toyota Innova Hycross also comes with slim body cladding over the wheel arches and lower part of the door panels.

At the back, the Toyota Innova Hycross carries a hint of RAV4 in its look, which is evident in the arrangement and design of the slightly slanted rear windscreen and sharp and sleek-looking set of LED tail lamps, only joined by a stretched V-shaped chrome garnish across the boot lid. The LED tail lamps have a stretched design towards the outer part.

Another aspect where the Toyota Innova Hycross feels like a radical departure from the previous-generation Innova is the way it rides. The new monocoque frame of the Innova Hycross gives it a much more pleasant and refined driving experience while retaining the plush and comfortable ride quality the Innova has always had, courtesy of the Macpherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear. The Toyota Innova Hycross also comes with eco, power and EV modes for making your driving experience more specific and pleasurable.

The new-generation Toyota Innova Hycross feels has a much more refined and tech-laden powertrain under its hood, compared to the ageing diesel engine of the previous Innova. This new-generation powertrain is a combination of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Atkinson petrol engine, which produces 150 PS of power and 188 Nm of torque, and a front-mounted electric motor, which churns out 111 PS of power and 206 Nm of torque. With the combined action of engine and motor, the Innova Hycross claims a maximum fuel efficiency of 24.3 kmpl. The powertrain is also assisted by a nickel metal hydride battery.

The arsenal of safety features offered in the new-generation Toyota Innova Hycross includes front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, E-Call, vehicle stability control, hill assist control, tyre inflation pressure warning, front and rear parking sensors and reverse camera.

The Toyota Innova Hycross has come across as a huge departure and a radical evolution over the outgoing Innova in terms of looks, features, powertrain, and driving behavior. However, one thing that is still intact in the Innova Hycross is the ability of the MPV to offer an unparalleled sense of comfort and plush ride quality, making it a fine people mover.