The Toyota Innova has completed its 20th year in the Indian market. Though the Innova has racked up a reputation for being one of the most reliable, comfortable and long-lasting MPVs money can buy, it was actually a bit of a gamble for Toyota in its early days. Let’s take a look at how the Innova has evolved into a hugely trusted name that garnered over 12 lakh unit sales over the past two decades.
First-gen Toyota Innova (2005-2016)
Back in early 2005, Toyota made a bold decision by discontinuing the Qualis – a rugged, functional and massively successful MPV – and replacing it with the Innova — a more modern, refined and family-oriented people-mover. The Innova was based on Toyota’s global IMV (Innovative Multipurpose Vehicle) ladder-frame platform, shared with models like the Fortuner and Hilux, and featured a mono-volume design for maximum interior space, forward-facing seats in all rows, and premium features like captain seats in higher trim levels.
Combine that with planted highway manners and Toyota’s famously bulletproof reliability, and it comes as no surprise that the Innova became a major hit with Indian MPV buyers and fleet operators; sales stood at over 36,000 units in its first year.
2009 facelift
Toyota updated the Innova’s exteriors with new bumpers, a redesigned radiator grille, front skirts, and a fresh set of colour options. Chrome-finished tail-lamps and new alloy wheels were offered on top variants as well.
The 2009 Innova facelift also added new features like steering-mounted audio controls, an in-dash CD changer and climate control.
2012 facelift
As part of the first-gen Innova’s most substantial update so far, the 2012 facelift brought new swept-back headlights, a chunky chrome-finished front grille, and a redesigned bumper with trapezoidal fog lamp housings up front, while at the rear, a thick chrome strip was added on the tailgate.
Inside, a new Camry-esque four-spoke steering wheel with audio controls was introduced, along with a new audio system, reverse guide system and wood trim around the centre console.
2014 facelift
Launched just a year shy of the new-gen Innova’s debut, this update brought subtle premium enhancements to the first-gen model. These included a larger front grille, revised bumpers, dark grey dual-tone alloy wheels, a wood-finish steering wheel, redesigned leather seats, and a new oak interior colour.
Crucially, dual airbags became standard across the range, marking an important safety upgrade for the Innova.
Toyota Innova Crysta (2016-present)
11 years after the first-gen model’s release, Toyota launched the Innova Crysta, which continues to be on sale to this day. The long-awaited second generation of the MPV was bigger, more powerful, featured much sharper styling, and got a host of new features. Toyota initially offered the Crysta with a 2.7-litre petrol engine, as well as 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre diesel mills.
Underneath the sharper exterior, stronger powertrains, and modern creature comforts, though, the Innova Crysta retained the hallmark comfort and reliability of its predecessor, and therefore, the MPV’s popularity didn’t relent. In its first year of launch, the Innova Crysta sold over 75,000 units.
January 2020 BS6 update
Toyota updated the Innova Crysta line-up in early 2020 to comply with BS6 emission norms. The Innova Crysta BS6 update didn’t introduce any design or equipment changes, but Toyota did discontinue the MPV’s smooth 2.8-litre diesel engine, leaving behind the 2.4-litre diesel and 2.7-litre petrol units. This came alongside a price hike of up to Rs 43,000 for the petrol Innova Crysta and up to Rs 1.12 lakh for the diesel variants.
November 2020 facelift
The first facelift for the Innova Crysta arrived in November 2020, bringing with it a larger front grille with thick chrome surrounds and more slats, new diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a redesigned bumper with round LED fog lamps.
Inside, higher Innova Crysta trim levels got leather seats, a better infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, front parking sensors, and more.
2023 refresh
Around the launch of the third-gen Innova in late 2022, Toyota briefly took the Crysta off sale in India to make way for the newer model. Given that the third-gen model majorly differed from the Innova Crysta in several core ways and demand was still strong for the latter, Toyota opted against discontinuing the Crysta and brought the MPV back on sale in early 2023, that too with a mild refresh.
The 2023 update for the Innova Crysta notably dropped the 2.7-litre petrol engine and left the 2.4-litre diesel-manual as the only powertrain available for the MPV. Toyota also mildly updated the Innova Crysta’s fascia with a slightly smaller, more prominent front grille, a new front chin and redesigned fog lamp housings.
Toyota Innova Hycross (2022-present)
First FWD, monocoque, and hybrid Innova
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The third generation of the Innova – dubbed the Innova Hycross – was launched in November 2022 and is the most radical departure for the MPV to date. Not only did the Innova Hycross eschew the Crysta’s ladder-frame chassis in favour of a monocoque construction, but it also made the switch to front-wheel drive from rear-wheel drive and is the first iteration of the MPV to feature a strong hybrid powertrain.
Toyota equips higher variants of the Innova Hycross with a 2.0-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain that makes a combined 184hp and delivers a claimed 23.24kpl mileage – highly impressive given the MPV’s size. Entry-level variants of the Innova Hycross get a 173hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine instead, which offers a claimed 16.13kpl mileage. The Innova Hycross recently scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating as well.
Thanks to its more modern trappings, the Hycross also gets creature comforts never seen before in an Innova, such as a panoramic sunroof, digital driver’s display, Level 2 ADAS, powered captain seats with deployable ottomans, and more. The lack of diesel engine options hasn’t put a dent in the Innova Hycross’ popularity either, with the MPV having sold more than a whopping 1.42 lakh units since its launch. In fact, the Innova Hycross accounts for 61 percent of Toyota’s overall Innova sales.
