Toyota Innova Crysta review, test drive

INSIDE OUT

The inside of the new Innova has been given even more importance than the exterior. This impression is further reinforced as I slide into the driver’s seat. To begin with, this feels several times more comfortable. I know this for sure because I’ve just jumped in and out of the current Innova, only seconds earlier. The new car seats are considerably larger and more supportive, both for the thigh and the back, and, as with every really good seat, I get the impression I’m sitting in rather than perched on top of it. What also feels great is that the cabin is much wider and airier in the front.

There’s also a considerable step up in comfort on the all-important second row. The ‘captain’s seats’, like the seats up front, are larger and much more supportive. There’s more legroom here as well, due to the longer cabin and slimmer seats. Visibility isn’t quite as good, however, as the new front seats are wider and the headrests are fair-sized as well.

Visibility is also a bit of an issue on the third row due to the kink in the window-line, which does make the rear of the car a bit gloomy. Space and comfort, however, are better than on the current Innova. Yes, there is some compromise – this is the third row, and I am sat a bit low, but there’s sufficient leg-, knee- and head room here to make it comfy even over long drives. The Mahindra Xylo’s third row finally has some serious competition.

Also enhanced considerably are levels of quality and sophistication. There’s no doubt that the ambience and feeling of luxury have taken a big step forward and that’s mainly down to the fresh, modern design of the cabin. The sweep of the dash is stunning and the manner in which the highlights and surfaces blend is extremely eye-catching. The top of the dash, for example, flows over the instrument cluster in a wave, the central console appears to weave in and out of the dash and Toyota’s engineers have combined wooden surfaces, brushed aluminium and metallic brackets with devastating effectiveness. There’s even a fantastic layering effect at work on the dash, with multiple steps and surfaces clearly visible. Even the door pads look like they belong on more expensive cars, the hidden door handles a neatly executed feature.

As with many executive-class cars, the new Innova gets a large touchscreen as well as a vertical display in between the instruments. This top-of-the-line car gets a smart key, bands of blue ambient lighting, folding tables for the second row and a slick climate control system for the second row. There’s masses of stowage too. The medium-sized gloveboxes are supported by a large elbow box, there’s plenty of space for bottles of all sizes and shapes in the central console and various door pockets, and there are a few USB slots and 12V converters as well.

While the design of the dash looks good enough to pass muster on something like a Camry, overall quality levels are actually more Corolla-like. There are, however, some truly well-crafted items like the multi-element steering wheel, the high quality central console and the beautifully finished seats. But this is a Toyota and that means the accountant’s scalpel always rears its head. The glovebox is made of hard plastic and rattles a bit when open, some plastics in the lower half of the centre console are clearly low rent and the quality of the vents should have been even better, especially considering just how much people run these cars.

Still, there are plenty of clever bits. There’s a fair amount of luggage space in the rear even with three rows up, a nice luggage net in the back and even space to place the centre headrest for the third row.