Toyota Innova Crysta

The Toyota Innova Crysta is a case study in the strength of a brand. Buyers seem undeterred by the Crysta’s high price simply because they associate the Innova name with quality and reliability and are willing to pay big money for the stress-free ownership that it guarantees. To be fair, Toyota has also upped the premium quotient on the second generation of the MPV. The Innova Crysta is available in seven- and eight-seat configurations while there are four engine-gearbox options to choose from. There’s a 2.7-litre petrol engine that can be had with manual and auto gearboxes. Diesel engine options include a 2.4-litre motor with a manual gearbox as well as a 2.8-litre motor with an automatic gearbox.

The Toyota Innova Crysta is a case study in the strength of a brand. Buyers seem undeterred by the Crysta’s high pric...

The Toyota Innova Crysta is a case study in the strength of a brand. Buyers seem undeterred by the Crysta’s high price simply because they associate the Innova name with quality and reliability and are willing to pay big money for the stress-free ownership that it guarantees. To be fair, Toyota has also upped the premium quotient on the second generation of the MPV. The Innova Crysta is available in seven- and eight-seat configurations while there are four engine-gearbox options to choose from. There’s a 2.7-litre petrol engine that can be had with manual and auto gearboxes. Diesel engine options include a 2.4-litre motor with a manual gearbox as well as a 2.8-litre motor with an automatic gearbox.

Bold and modern in look, the Innova Crysta successfully distances itself from the utilitarian image of the model that preceded it. It’s rather nice on the inside as well, with a smart dashboard lending the cabin an upmarket look. The Crysta doesn’t disappoint as an MPV, either. Ingress-egress is convenient and the one-touch tumble for the middle-row seats also provides relatively easy access to the last row. The front- and middle-row seats (in both bench and captain-chair form) are comfortable and even the third row is useable – although the seating position isn’t the best. There’s also reasonable luggage space with all seats up, and the option to fold seats to make more space for cargo is handy, too.
The Innova Crysta petrol is refined and offers good performance but is also rather thirsty. Of the diesels, the 2.4-litre unit doesn’t feel sprightly from the get-go but gets into its comfort zone quickly enough. The catch is that the 2.4-litre engine can get noisy, while neither is the 5-speed manual gearbox it’s allied with slick, nor is the clutch light. The 2.8-litre diesel auto is easier to live with thanks to its smooth-shifting auto gearbox; and you’d also be surprised by the performance it has on offer.
The Crysta’s ride quality is also impressive over rutted surfaces, though the suspension can’t soak-up sharp edges as successfully. Unfortunately, handling is just average and what makes the Innova feel particularly ponderous in town is its heavy steering.

Bold and modern in look, the Innova Crysta successfully distances itself from the utilitarian image of the model that...

Bold and modern in look, the Innova Crysta successfully distances itself from the utilitarian image of the model that preceded it. It’s rather nice on the inside as well, with a smart dashboard lending the cabin an upmarket look. The Crysta doesn’t disappoint as an MPV, either. Ingress-egress is convenient and the one-touch tumble for the middle-row seats also provides relatively easy access to the last row. The front- and middle-row seats (in both bench and captain-chair form) are comfortable and even the third row is useable – although the seating position isn’t the best. There’s also reasonable luggage space with all seats up, and the option to fold seats to make more space for cargo is handy, too.
The Innova Crysta petrol is refined and offers good performance but is also rather thirsty. Of the diesels, the 2.4-litre unit doesn’t feel sprightly from the get-go but gets into its comfort zone quickly enough. The catch is that the 2.4-litre engine can get noisy, while neither is the 5-speed manual gearbox it’s allied with slick, nor is the clutch light. The 2.8-litre diesel auto is easier to live with thanks to its smooth-shifting auto gearbox; and you’d also be surprised by the performance it has on offer.
The Crysta’s ride quality is also impressive over rutted surfaces, though the suspension can’t soak-up sharp edges as successfully. Unfortunately, handling is just average and what makes the Innova feel particularly ponderous in town is its heavy steering.

All but the top ZX-trim Crystas are available with the option of seven or eight seats. The petrol Innovas are significantly cheaper than the diesel variants but if you factor in the higher running costs and lower resale value, they don’t seem all that appealing. It’s the diesel automatic that comes across as the best version of the Innova Crysta. Unfortunately, it’s either only available in the base trim, or prohibitively expensive in its fully-loaded form. As a result, it’s the 2.4-litre diesel-manual Innova Crysta VX that comes across as the most sensible buy for the money.

All but the top ZX-trim Crystas are available with the option of seven or eight seats. The petrol Innovas are signifi...

All but the top ZX-trim Crystas are available with the option of seven or eight seats. The petrol Innovas are significantly cheaper than the diesel variants but if you factor in the higher running costs and lower resale value, they don’t seem all that appealing. It’s the diesel automatic that comes across as the best version of the Innova Crysta. Unfortunately, it’s either only available in the base trim, or prohibitively expensive in its fully-loaded form. As a result, it’s the 2.4-litre diesel-manual Innova Crysta VX that comes across as the most sensible buy for the money.