Toyota Innova revisited
The Innova was introduced in 2005 as part of Toyota’s IMV line-up that also included the Toyota Hilux, and the Fortuner SUV. IMV stands for Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle, a major engineering project of Toyota at that time and even at present. The IMV’s main feature is the platform or chassis shared by the three vehicles. Toyota produces one chassis for three distinct vehicles aimed at different target markets. It was not the first time a car company came up with such a design. Ford has done it for the Focus, Mazda 3 and Volvo S-40, as well as for the Ranger and Everest models while Isuzu has same chassis for its Alterra and D-Max. It’s easy to understand why the program makes sense. Manufacturers can save a lot in using a tried and tested platform for different models. Call it the economies of scale.
Toyota held the Aseanregional launch for the Innova and its IMV mates in Sydney, Australia with more than 200 international press in attendance.
In the months that followed, the Innova was introduced in the Philippines as a minivan or a multi-purpose van eventually replacing the Revo. At that time, we were all wondering why Toyota was phasing out the Revo considering that it was still selling very well. In fact, in 2004, the year before the phaseout, the Revo sold 9,000 units. But when Toyota rolled out the Innova, I understood the move. Toyota offered a more attractive, more comfortable and practical vehicle. And just like a boxing champion, Toyota felt it was good to retire the Revo while it was winning and introduce a future champ.
The Innova’s revolutionary design, spacious interiors and practical attributes attracted thousands of buyers who helped make the Innova a best-seller in the years to come. Toyota has sold 53,769 units approximately averaging 900 units a month since 2005. It also certainly helped that its entry level price in 2005 was P728, 000 for the 2.0J gasoline variant with manual transmission.
On Innova’s fifth year in the market, Toyota introduced a tougher version of the Innova, the Sport Runner. On drives around Metro Manila and Batangas, I was pleasantly surprised to experience the car-like comfort and quietness of the SR variant.
The SR features new overfenders, side skirts, rear spoiler, front fog lamp design similar to the G variant, 15" alloy wheels in a wider 225 / 55 R15 tires and Sport Runner badge.
Raymond Rodriguez, first vice president for vehicle sales, says, "The Sport Runner is a fresh addition to the Innova line-up. While the Innova has been consistently performing very well since its 2005 introduction ,averaging 900 units per month in sales, we understand that there are customers who are also looking for a tougher or sportier look that will compliment the Innova’s driving performance and riding comfort."
Being an MPV, the Innova’s versatility is a big attraction. It can be a family car, a business service car or a weekend sport buddy. One time, I loaded it with a mountain bike by folding the third row and half of the second row seats. Even without a bike mount, I was able to transport the bike and join the trail at Camp Aguinaldo. The SR test drive also coincided with the arrival of relatives from Japan whom we picked up at the airport. The Innova’s rear provided more than enough space for the luggage and five people on board.
Even what may be considered little things count a lot for the Innova like its two glove compartments; one above, one below and there’s the complement of cup and bottle holders for all three rows. D-4D common rail diesel technology continues to be used in the Innova. With 2.5 liters of displacement, the Innova gets 102 PS of power and 260 Nm of torque. At first, we thought the SR had a gasoline engine because of its smooth and silent operation.
The 4-speed gate type automatic transmission makes driving easy and economical. Our combined city and highway average consumption came up to 10- 12 kms per liter. I only have one wish for the Innova. The warning sound that comes out continuously when you put the gear on reverse is quite distracting. It would be more useful if Toyota considers a backup sensor in its place.
The Sport Runner which is a notch below the Innova’s current top of the line V variant sells for P1, 064, 00 for the automatic transmission and P999, 000 for the manual version.
It’s the test drive season again. By the time this column sees print, I shall be on board a 2010 Honda CR-V to scenic San Fernando, La Union. An event like this is always a welcome activity for us as it gives us a better appreciation of a new vehicle model as we get to compare notes also with our colleagues and interact with product engineers and officials of the car company. Seeing a new or an destination, of course, is always a bonus. The following week, February 11 and 12, we will have a chance to test drive Isuzu’s Alterra on a 500-kilometer long drive to Albay. Destination is Bicol’s newest attraction, the Bisibis Bay.
A note on my friend Mon Datol who is a former columnist of this paper’s sports section and my former commentary partner in the "Go for Gold" amateur boxing TV show. Mon visited recently together with 12 doctors, dentists and nurses from Richmond Hill, Canada to conduct free medical clinic in Antipolo City, Capas, Tarlac and Camsur. He said, they hope to do the mission again next year. Mon and I practically saw a good part of the country when the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines together with its TV partners GMA, ABC and NBN brought the competitions and the show in different cities and towns in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from the early 90s to 2006. Based in Canada for the last six years, Mon publishes a bi-monthly Fil-Can newspaper and hosts a radio commentary show in Richmond Hill. Mon’s doctor friends are also helping promote the country as a wellness and retirement destination among their Canadian friends and clients.
In 1997, Mon was with me when I test-drove the Russian compact SUV, Lada Niva which we took from Davao City to Cagayan de Oro City and back. It was a good run for the all-wheel drive SUV on the Buda (Butuan-Davao) Highway which was under construction at that time. A distributor from Davao invited us for the test drive just in time for a "Go for Gold" event in Davao. However, for one reason or another, the Lada Niva never took off as planned by our businessman friend.