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Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango

VJ Bacungan · Jan 25, 2023 05:30 PM

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Although there is no word yet on when the all-new Innova will arrive in the Philippines, it will face another large seven-seater with a mild-hybrid powerplant – the Geely Okavango.

For this electrified royal rumble, we dig deeper between the two. We used the specifications of the top-spec, Indonesian-market Kijang Innova Zenix Hybrid Q HV TSS.

Nearly the same size

Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango 01

Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango 02

Although many would contend that the Okavango is a sport-utility vehicle, its dimensions are surprisingly close to the Innova’s MPV body style.

The Geely is a bit longer and wider than the Toyota, but the latter has a slightly longer wheelbase. The Okavango also pips the Innova’s ground clearance by nearly 10 mm.

Dimensions

Toyota Innova Hybrid TSS

Geely Okavango Urban Plus

Length

4,755 mm

4,835 mm

Width

1,850 mm

1,900 mm

Height

1,795 mm

1,785 mm

Wheelbase

2,850 mm

2,815 mm

Ground Clearance

185 mm

194 mm

Plush 7-seat cabins

Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango 03

The 2023 Toyota Innova, in its highest trim, features captain's chairs in the second row along with Ottoman functions.

The top-spec Toyota and the top-spec Geely feature vast, leather-lined interiors with seating for seven.

People who like infotainment systems will find that the Geely has a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

Vehicle

Upholstery

Infotainment System

Panoramic Sunroof

Toyota Innova Hybrid TSS

Leather

10-inch touchscreen

Standard

Geely Okavango Urban Plus

Leather

12.3-inch touchscreen

Standard

But the 2023 Toyota Innova has two additional second-row monitors if TMP decides to bring this feature in. And what about that new Panoramic Retractable roof on the Innova? That could be the clincher for many car buyers.

Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango 04

Full-hybrid Innova packs more punch

Both the Okavango and the Innova are advertised as hybrids, but the two are vastly different from each other.

The Geely uses a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that helps power the Okavango’s various electricals and assists in producing engine power. Still, it cannot run in full electric vehicle (EV) mode.

Meanwhile, the Innova is a full hybrid, such that it has an electric generator that can operate the MPV in EV mode with the internal-combustion engine turned off. 

Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango 05

The 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid features the same parallel hybrid drivetrain as that found in the Corolla, Corolla Cross, Camry, and Prius.

This difference, however, is most apparent in the combined outputs. The turbocharged Okavango has slightly more power but is seriously down on torque compared to the Innova.

Vehicle

Engine

Gearbox

Power

Torque

Toyota Innova Hybrid TSS

2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine with electric generator

Continuously variable transmission

186 PS at 6,000 RPM

393 Nm at 4,400-5,200 RPM

Geely Okavango Urban Plus

Turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline-3 gasoline engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid motor

7-speed dual-clutch transmission

193 PS at 5,500 RPM

300 Nm at 1,500-4,000 RPM

 

Okavango lags in safety gear

Electrified 7-seater showdown: 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid vs. 2023 Geely Okavango 06

The Geely Okavango has six airbags, similar to the 2023 Toyota Innova.

Safety is where Toyota leaps far ahead of its Chinese rival.

The top-of-the-line Innova TSS, which will likely take on the top-spec Okavango Urban Plus, comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 active-safety system.

Nonetheless, the Geely still comes with six airbags and a 360-degree camera.

Vehicle

Airbags

Stability Control

ISOFIX Child-Restraint Anchors

Active Safety Systems

Toyota Innova Hybrid TSS

6

Standard

Standard

Collision-mitigation braking, dynamic cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic high beam

Geely Okavango Urban Plus

6

Standard

Standard

None

When and how much?

The Geely Okavango starts at ₱1,503,000, with the top-spec Urban Plus variant coming in at ₱1,765,000.

Although there is no word on how much the 2023 Toyota Innova Hybrid will cost when it arrives locally, the Japanese carmaker will likely price it close to, or slightly higher than, the Okavango if current Innova prices are to be used as a basis. The full-hybrid system does count for a premium on its own. 

The Geely and the Toyota offer spacious seven-seat cabins and generous standard equipment. However, the Innova, if TMP specs it right, may provide better value in terms of fuel economy and standard active-safety systems.

Which would you choose?

VJ Bacungan

Senior Writer

An award-winning multimedia journalist, editor, and host for online and TV who has written in-depth stories on road safety and the Philippine elections. Outside of the media, VJ is an accomplished motorsports champion, English teacher, and dancer.

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