Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid India Review — Mileage, Features And Specifications

Have a look at the new Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid India. Toyota has paid attention to the detailing when it comes to the interiors of Hycross or be it the features.

Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid India's Look

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

As far as new cars go, a new Innova is a big deal since they don't come very often but this new car is of greater significance since it marks a big shift for this MPV. Unlike the Innova Crysta, the Hycross moves to a monocoque platform and now has a petrol hybrid powertrain. So quite a lot has changed and does this mean that old Innova loyalists would be happy or would it attract new buyers? We had a short first drive to figure that out.

First things first, the new Innova Hycross looks huge and has a proper SUV stance. Gone is the MPV-like proportions and now it gets an upright look with a large grille. With a length of 4755 mm, the new Innova Hycross is also larger and that shows. Throw in slim LED lamps, shorter overhangs plus a raked window line and you have a handsome design that is more crossover now. This particular colour also adds a premium touch.

Open the hefty doors and you get in the Innova Hycross like an SUV of sorts along with a high driving position. However, Toyota has changed everything else and gone to a premium technology-loaded cabin environment. The design is neat and also convenient with a raised centre console housing the gear lever while the 10.1-inch touchscreen is also placed higher in line with the eyesight. Elsewhere, you get a part digital instrument cluster with a large screen in the middle for various information including hybrid-specific displays.

Back to the centre console and it is well laid out while the touchscreen itself is the best one that we have seen on a Toyota till date. The graphics, and icons are well suitably spruced up. Quality is an improvement over the Crysta with soft touch inserts and leather upholstery being offered.

In terms of gadgets, the new Innova Hycross has you covered with a massive panoramic double pane sunroof which lends a lot of air to the massive cabin, cooled and powered front seats, multi-zone climate control, connected car tech, a 360-degree view camera, a 9 speaker JBL audio system, powered handbrake, wireless smartphone connectivity and more.

Further impressions are that the audio system delivers a crisp sound though the display of the 360-degree camera could have been better.

A lot of Innova Hycross owners would be chauffeur driven and here the rear seats offer an abundance of space with a flat floor further being very impressive. Our test car had the captain seats while a bench seat layout will easily sit three passengers. The seats themselves are comfortable and the legroom/headroom is plenty. Dedicated climate control, cupholders, sunblinds and more are also being offered. However, the party piece is the extendable Ottomans which acts as a leg rest albeit it might not be as suitable for tall passengers while there is a manual seat sliding mechanism. Some kind of rear seat entertainment screen would also have been really great but overall this is a big step up from the Crysta.

The third row meanwhile happens to be one of the best ones with actual space and is comfortable enough for short journeys.

Let's talk driving and the first shock if you are used to the Crysta is the electric silence from the Hycross hybrid powertrain. You start off in electric mode and even when the engine kicks in, it is very seamless. Toyota knows hybrid powertrains and the same adds a layer of luxury to the Hycross driving experience. The second shock is the new steering which is very light and makes it very easy to drive. The big Hycross does not feel so behind the wheel and you have a commanding view ahead.

The 2.0 l petrol is combined with an electric motor while the combined power output is 184bhp and it has an eCVT gearbox. At low speeds, Tye refinement and smoothness is terrific while you can also cruise along at big speeds.

However, when driven hard, the engine works harder and gets a bit noisy which is where you miss the grunt of a diesel in a heavy car like this. That said, to cruise around, the Innova Hycross does a great job with the sense of refinement not found elsewhere at the moment.

The Hycross is also a lot more enjoyable to drive and importantly does not have a bouncy ride like the Crysta. It feels car-like and rides well with the good ground clearance further coming in handy.

Of course, everyone wants to know about the stellar fuel economy and here the Innova Hycross hybrid can give more than 1000km range with a full tank. The official mileage is 21kmpl plus while we managed nearly 18 kmpl during our drive and that is astonishing given its size. 

If anything, the Innova Hycross stretches this brand name to an altogether new premium direction while staying true to today's demands. Traditional Innova clientele will still like the Crysta diesel and its toughness but the Hycross is in a different league altogether now. It is also a large threat towards 7-seater premium SUVs and pretty much everything at the Rs 20-30 lakh price point with its premium looks, features and a smooth hybrid powertrain. The Innova Hycross has changed and changed for the better in being a capable premium family car that pretty much does everything well.

What We Like- Looks, space, comfort, refinement, features, efficiency

What We Do Not Like- We miss the diesel torque