‘Old’ Ladder-Framed, RWD Toyota Innova Will Still Be Available

Old IMV ladder-frame based and RWD Innova (left), new TNGA-based and FWD Innova Zenix.

With the arrival of a new generation iteration of any specific car model, it usually entails with the discontinuation of said model’s preceding iteration. However, there are some exceptions, the latest example of which being the ‘old’ ladder-framed and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Toyota Innova MPV.

During the press preview of the new generation and TNGA-based Toyota Innova Zenix held this week, CariCarz.com has learnt that UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will continue producing said ladder-frame, RWD old Innova model locally, which underpins the IMV platform, to meet continued customer demands.

Yes, the old IMV ladder-frame based and RWD Innova will still be available alongside its successor.

This means both said old IMV-based model and its new TNGA-based successor that launched earlier today will go on sale side-by-side. Notably, Malaysia isn’t the only market that sees both old and new Innova models on sale concurrently.

A similar strategy is applied in both Indonesia and India – two of the biggest markets for the Innova specifically. Sold as the Kijang Innova (Indonesia) and Innova Crysta (India), this model’s appeal in said markets stems from its platform’s low cost, high load limits, and high ground clearance formula.

Higher load limits and ground clearance make the old Innova ideal for use across rough roads.

This, in turn, makes the old Innova ideal for use across rough roads that are prevalent in both nations. Clearly, this is also a reflection of the durability, flexibility and robustness of said IMV ladder frame chassis, which the same used in the current Hilux 4x4 pick-up truck and its full-bodied Fortuner 4x4 SUV twin.

For Malaysia however, CariCarz.com has understood that the old Innova’s continued production and sale is instead driven by demands from the commercial sector, as well as budget-conscious regular buyers who aren’t necessarily based in urban locales.

The IMV-based Innova also offers 3-rows of seats, with this range-topping 2.0 X variant featuring second-row captain seats too.

Also, UMWT believes that the TNGA-based new Innova Zenix will appeal to a whole new customer profile. Specifically, this new model is targeted towards buyers seeking a tech- and luxury-driven package, a la the Harrier, that’s presented in a much larger-sized vehicle, a la the Alphard/Vellfire.

Perhaps this, and fully imported (CBU) status, also explains the higher RM165,000 (2.0 V) and RM202,000 (2.0 HEV) price figures commanded by the new Innova Zenix. In contrast, the locally built (CKD) IMV-based Innova retails at lower figures of RM133,880 (2.0 G) and RM141,880 (2.0 X).