New-Gen Toyota Innova in the making

The Toyota Innova – one of the most popular people movers in the Indian market – is likely to get an overhaul. We are expecting the new Innova to have a new platform, a new powertrain, and a new market position.

Toyota’s MPVs have always been very popular in India. Whether it's the Qualis from the late 90s or the Innova from the mid-2000s, which continued until the mid-2010s, or the Innova Crysta, they all have enjoyed popularity in the Indian market. The Toyota Innova Crysta lacks some features and some variants of the MPV are exorbitantly priced, but that is not stopping the Innova buyers to go for the Crysta.

But let's be honest, the Toyota Innova Crysta has aged since its debut in 2017, and the market now has some mid-size crossovers that make a better case than a reliable eight-seater MPV.

Given these developments, it seems to be the right time for the Japanese carmaker to update its offering. And that's exactly what Toyota seems to have in mind, for a test mule of a new generation of Toyota Innova – the name Crysta could be dropped – has been spotted in the international market.

The MPV appears to be larger in size than that of the current Innova Crysta and features larger wheels. Is Toyota taking a premium approach with its new iteration of Innova? Or will there be another version of the MPV, which will be more luxurious and feature-loaded, with the ‘Lexus’ badge? Well, it's soon to confirm.

What can be confirmed, however, is that Toyota is readying a thorough Kia Carnival rival. The Innova may not seat as many people as the Carnival, but its grandeur quotient will be higher than before.

Under the skin of the new Innova, we’re expecting a new platform – perhaps, a body on ladder construction – which will also be the base for the new generation of the Fortuner. The engine is expected to be smaller but more powerful. The global premiere of the new Innova is likely to be held by the end of this year. And the India launch of the new Toyota Innova will take place sometime in 2023. Until then, Toyota will sell different iterations and special editions of the MPV.

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