The Toyota Innova is a series of multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) manufactured by the Japanese carmaker Toyota since 2004, mainly sold with three-row seating.
The Innova is the replacement for the station wagon versions of the Toyota Kijang (internally known as the Toyota Utility Vehicle), which was also marketed under different names such as Tamaraw FX/Revo, Unser, Zace and Condor. Like the outgoing Kijang, the first two generations (2004–2022) of the Innova are rear-wheel-drive vehicles built on the body-on-frame chassis shared with the Hilux pickup truck and the Fortuner SUV under the IMV project, instead of the unibody construction commonly used by MPVs of its era. The chassis was adopted for its perceived strength and durability, attributes particularly valued by customers in Indonesia. The third-generation model introduced in 2022 switched to front-wheel-drive layout, using the GA-C platform with a unibody chassis. The change was made to make use of the hybrid powertrain (which the IMV platform cannot utilise), and to provide the comfort and efficiency benefits of the front-wheel-drive layout.
The Innova first entered production in Indonesia in September 2004 and has been manufactured in other emerging countries such as India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Innova has also been marketed in Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, GCC countries, Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica and Argentina.
The name Innova comes from the English word "innovate". Its official name in Indonesia is Toyota Kijang Innova, while for other countries it is simply called "Innova". For the second generation, it is known as Toyota Innova Crysta in India and Thailand. For the third generation, it received another moniker in Indonesia as the Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix (Toyota Innova Zenix in overseas markets or simply Toyota Zenix in the Philippines) and in India as the Toyota Innova HyCross along with its rebadged version Maruti Suzuki Invicto.
First generation (AN40; 2004)
In September 2004, Toyota debuted the first-generation Innova (designated AN40 series) in Indonesia. It followed the 2003 introduction of the Avanza, the replacement for low-spec versions of the Kijang. Badged as the Kijang Innova, the first-generation Innova in Indonesia was marketed as the fifth-generation Kijang to maintain the lineage with the fourth-generation model. It also had a more upmarket positioning than the latter.
Development started in 1999 and was led by Kaoru Hosokawa, the chief engineer and product planning leader of Toyota Commercial Vehicle Development Centre. Targeted annual production in Indonesia was 80,000 units, including 10,000 units for export.
Compared to the long-wheelbase fourth-generation Kijang wagon, the Innova was made longer and wider, while gaining more rounded MPV proportions. Its wheelbase also grew by . Unlike its predecessor, the Innova could be equipped with modern safety features such as ABS and airbags, as it was designed as a more globally oriented model. Other new technologies incorporated into the Innova include throttle-by-wire and variable valve timing. It adopted independent double wishbone front suspension with coil springs and stabiliser bar and a four-link solid axle rear suspension with a lateral rod.
Depending on the market and grade level, the Innova could be configured as a two-row five-seater vehicle (such as in Taiwan), or a three-row vehicle with either eight seats or a more upscale seven-seat layout with captain seats for the second row.
Updates
2008 The facelifted Innova debuted on 26 August 2008 in Indonesia. It featured a redesigned front and rear bumper, front grille, and rear taillights. It was also launched in the Philippines in November 2008 and in India on 28 January 2009. In August 2009, the E and G-type Kijang Innova received improvements, such as redesigned side body moulding, chrome ornaments on rear windshield and boot lid. The Luxury package was also introduced for the G and V type.
2011 On 20 July 2011, Toyota launched the second facelift of the Innova in Indonesia. It featured redesigned headlights, grille, bonnet, bumpers, taillights and wheels. The interior was updated with an updated steering wheel, updated air-conditioning knobs (for all variants except V), and a revised centre console.
2013 The third facelift of the Innova debuted in August 2013 in Indonesia, which introduced a revised front bumper, boot garnish and equipment upgrades.
Markets
India In India, the Innova was launched on 24 February 2005, replacing the Qualis. It was available with twelve variants. Three variants of the Innova came with a petrol engine option which was a 2.0-litre 1TR-FE engine with electronic fuel injection. The diesel variants are powered by a 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV engine. The available grades were E, G, GX and VX. In 2012, a "Z" trim was added, becoming the flagship grade above the VX. Toyota set an initial sales target of 45,000 units annually.
The Innova was sold in large numbers in India (where it is known as an MUV), primarily serving the tourist taxi market and fleet operations of large technology business process outsourcing companies.
In 2009, a facelift was introduced with exterior cosmetic changes, and the inclusion of an intercooler for the diesel engine..
A second facelift was introduced in 2012 at the 11th Auto Expo with an updated bumper design, grille, headlights, and newly designed alloy wheels. Steering-mounted controls for the audio and climate control system became an option.
The first-generation Innova received an update for the Indian market in 2015. With this update, all variants gained dual airbags as standard, and there were cosmetic changes such as dark grey two-tone alloy wheels, a wood-finished steering wheel, redesigned leather seats, and an oak interior colour. Rear HVAC outlets became standard as part of this update.
Indonesia The Kijang Innova was introduced in Indonesia on 1 September 2004. It was initially available in E, G and V grade levels, equipped with either a 2.0-litre 1TR-FE petrol engine or a 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV turbo-diesel engine. Manual transmission was standard in all grades, while the automatic transmission was only offered in G and V grades. The E and G grades retained the three-spoke steering wheel design from the second-facelift fourth-generation Kijang and first-generation Vios, while the V grade shared its new four-spoke steering wheel design from the E120 series Corolla Altis, first-generation Alphard, facelifted J100 series Land Cruiser and the facelifted XV30 series Camry.
In January 2005, the 2.7 V grade was released as the flagship model. It was equipped with a 2.7-litre 2TR-FE engine (later also used on petrol variants of the Toyota Fortuner), dual airbags, ABS, and a seven-seat layout, offered only with the automatic transmission. It was discontinued in 2007 due to low demand caused by its relatively high price.
In February 2006 a limited edition was added. The limited edition was offered in V Luxury, V Xtra, and G Cruise. The V Xtra grade was released with equipment levels similar to the 2.7 V grade, while the G Cruiser based on V Xtra with additional accessories and Cruiser side decals. Both the V Luxury and G Cruiser models were sold during 2006.
In January 2008, the G grade could be optioned as a seven-seater with the "Captain Seat" sub-grade.
The facelifted Kijang Innova was released on 26 August 2008 with an updated front bumper and grille design, new taillights, and redesigned wheels. At the 17th Indonesia International Motor Show in July 2009, the G Luxury and V Luxury grades were introduced as replacements for the V Xtra grade. In August 2009, the petrol-only J grade was introduced as the base model.
On 20 July 2011, the Kijang Innova received a second facelift. Changes included an updated front clip design, headlights and taillights, redesigned wheels, and an updated centre dashboard design.
On 19 August 2013, the third facelift of the Kijang Innova was launched. This facelifted Kijang Innova was sometimes nicknamed the "Kijang Innova Barong" in Indonesia due to its similar appearance to the Balinese mythology character. Changes consisted of a larger grille, redesigned bumpers and an updated boot garnish. This facelift was not applied to the J grade and still using the 2011 facelift.
In August 2014, the Kijang Innova was updated for the G and V grades with redesigned alloy wheels, and a redesigned rear bodykit for the Luxury grades.
Malaysia In Malaysia, the Innova was launched on 27 May 2005, replacing the Unser and was offered in two variants: the E and G, both powered by the 2.0-litre 1TR-FE petrol engine with VVT-i. Power was paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.
Philippines In the Philippines, the Innova was launched on 11 March 2005, replacing the Revo and was offered in four variants: the J without power features and steel wheels with hubcups; the E with power features and alloy wheels; the G with carrying over features from the E trim but with fabric seats and airbags; and V, introduced in late 2006 with leather seats, captain chairs on the middle row, and a high-end audio system. All variants were powered with either 2.0-litre 1TR-FE petrol engine with VVT-i or 2.5-litre 2KD-FTV turbo diesel engine with D-4D. Transmission choices were either 5-speed manual (for J, E and G trims) or 4-speed automatic (for E, G and V trims).
In 2008, the first facelift version was introduced, with the same four variants as the pre-facelift model; featuring newly design of front and rear bumpers, front grille, taillights, upgraded interiors and newly wheel designs for E, G and V trims. In 2010, the Sport Runner trim was introduced. Based on the E trim, it features sportier body kits, fog lights and SR wheels. It was only offered with 2KD-FTV turbo diesel engine and paired with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions. Colors available were Bronze or Black. In 2012, the second facelift version was introduced; featuring redesigned front bumper, newly headlights and taillights, newly engine covers for both VVT-i and D-4D variants, newly wheel designs and side mirrors (for G and V trims), upgraded interiors and their audio systems. In 2014, another facelift version was took placed, except for J trim; featuring front bumper and rear tailgate. The E trim was added with a rear demister and has same wheel designs as the G and V trims.
In June 2015, TMP offering a limited-edition 1 Million Innova; featuring GPS navigation, rear spoiler, 1 Million badge, and Jade Green color. The total sold of Innova first-generation in the Philippines has over 140,000 units.
South Africa In South Africa, the Innova was launched in its second facelift form on 9 October 2011, sitting between the Verso and the smaller Avanza. Equipped with a 2.7-litre engine mated exclusively to a 5-speed manual, it was offered with an eight-seater variant and a more upscale seven-seater. The model was not replaced with the second-generation model upon its discontinuation due to poor sales and slumping demand for MPVs in the market.
Taiwan