Toyota unveiled the 2023 Toyota Innova during its World Premiere in Indonesia today, November 21st. The seventh generation of the venerable family MPV has adopted an SUV look and stance and is now confirmed to have a hybrid powertrain option. 

More popularly known as the Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix in Indonesia, it will be produced at the PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) factory in Karawang, West Java. It will be exported to various countries as well. The 2023 Toyota Innova uses the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-C) platform, the same used by the Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, C-HR, current-generation Prius and Lexus UX.

According to our colleagues in Autofun Indonesia, the Toyota Innova Zenix will have the following variants in their market:

• G AT
• G AT Hybrid
• V AT
• V AT Hybrid 
• Q AT Hybrid 

It will also have two powertrain options - a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a 2.0-liter hybrid. The diesel engine has been discontinued in the all-new Toyota Innova for Indonesia. 

Initial visual impressions reveal a more muscular SUV-like profile, a new grille design similar to the Toyota Veloz, narrower headlamps, and DRL strips at the front bumper. Interiors photos also show a large touchscreen infotainment panel on the center dash and the gear selector knob mounted near-vertically on the center console. Other features noticed from the images include:

• EV mode
• Powered tailgate
• Headlamp level adjustment 
• Automatic headlights 
• Cruise control
• USB-C ports
• Electronic parking brake
• Lane Keep Assist

Now front-wheel drive

First, the 2023 Toyota Innova will be a front-wheel drive for the first time in its model history. It is now built upon the Toyota New Generation Architecture TNGA: GA-C platform. This rigid and lighter-weighing monocoque structure replaces the ladder-on-frame setup in previous generations. 

This allows Toyota to use advanced technologies such as the 2.0-liter TNGA engine, the 5th generation Toyota Hybrid System, and the 10-speed Direct Shift CVT. All these were embedded to deliver superior driving performance, more efficient fuel consumption, less cabin noise, and improved comfort.

Muscular SUV stance

In a clear departure from the utilitarian design previous-generation Toyota Innova's have been known for, the 2023 Toyota Innova adopts a "Glamorous and Tough" concept. This is characterized by the crossover looks up front reminiscent of the Veloz and Corolla Cross, sleek LED headlamps, 17 and 18-inch Alloy Wheels designs, and SUV profile characteristics such as a more upright A-pillar and sloping D-pillar. 

Heightened comfort and features

Toyota is claiming to target millennial families with a host of luxury features and modern tech in the upper Q, V, and HV variants, such as:

• Panoramic Retractable Roof
• Electric Captain's Seat with Ottoman leg rests
• Wireless charging  
• Black leather seats
• 10-inch head unit with smartphone connectivity
• 10-inch Dual Rear Seat Entertainment (Q and V variants)
• 360-degree camera 
• Connected mobility via the T Intouch features of the mToyota app
• Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist, Blind Sport Monitor, and Automatic High Beam

Introducing the latest Hybrid powertrain

The 2023 Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix will be available in seven main variants for the Indonesian market. Only the G and V will have a non-hybrid powertrain with their M20A-FKS 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i direct injection gasoline engine.  

The HV, V HV, V HV Modellista, Q HV, and Q HV Modellista trims will all feature the M20A-FXS inline-four Dual VVT-i direct injection gasoline engine combined with a hybrid powertrain. It is the same engine used in hybrid versions of the C-HR, Corolla, and Lexus UX250h. The system power output for this setup is 186 PS and 393 Nm of torque. This should make hauling 7 to 8 people and cargo a breeze. 

The 2023 Toyota Innova's Hybrid powertrain features Power and ECO driving modes. It also has an EV mode that allows it to drive on fully electric power for reduced fuel consumption. The all-new Kijang Innova Zenix is the first Toyota model to make the Hybrid EV an option in every grade. The hybrid battery also comes with an 8-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty.

Toyota seems to have hit a home run with the 2023 Innova's feature set, specifications, and powertrain. All that remains now is whether most of these goodies will make it to the Philippine market. And, of course, at what price Toyota Motor Philippines will sell it?