Review: Toyota Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV – Versatile, Posh, And Frugal! But It’s Pricey…

There's a bit of both traditional MPV and SUV traits present in the styling of the Innova Zenix.

Is This An MPV Or An SUV?

Confusingly, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) parks the Innova Zenix under its MPV models range, but it also often refers to it as a ‘crossover’. In truth, there’s a bit of both present here, but Toyota has seemingly struck the perfect balance between them in this large, plush, and now electrified people-mover.

Initially, the SUV-like traits are unmissable, namely the lifted 185 MM ground clearance, as well as the seemingly rugged styling borne out of the blacked-out body cladding in the bumpers and wheel arches. What’s also very SUV-like here is the tall and commanding sitting position for the driver.

SUV traits are clear in this 'crossover' MPV through its 185 MM ground clearance, and the rugged black cladding on its bumpers and wheel arches.

Both the main headlights and DRLs feature LEDs, the latter doubling up as the turn signal repeater up front.

Sophisticated grille design and silver-finished 18-inch alloy wheels gives this large people-mover added style.

In turn, these are balanced out with a slew of non-SUV bits which, in this range-topping hybrid variant, stems from the amount and type of high-tech luxuries primed on board. Much of these mirrors closely to what’s primed in the larger – and pricier – Vellfire and Alphard luxo-MPVs.

Overall though, the Innova Zenix is indeed more MPV than crossover SUV, and this is largely – and literally – driven by the way it drives…

For a sizeable and hefty MPV, the Innova Zenix boats surprisingly docile driving dynamics - a testament to the TNGA chassis architecture it underpins.

Tell Us Then, How Does It Drive?

Despite its gargantuan footprint as a three-row MPV, this fifth-gen iteration to bear the Innova nameplate drives surprisingly well. Don’t be fooled by the lofty looks and feel, the Innova Zenix is quite a docile thing to manage behind the wheel, even for pint-sized ladies.

This is perhaps a testament to the brilliantly versatile nature of the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) chassis platform the Innova Zenix underpins. Besides countless crossover SUVs, the fact that more grounded things like the Corolla and Camry sedans that underpin similar bones, perhaps explains this.

Despite appearing to be on stilts, this MPV felt respectably planted. The biggest plus here is the soft, supple damping and comfortable ride borne out of its long-travel suspension. 

That lifted ride height noted earlier does induce quite a bit of understeer and body roll should the Innova Zenix be thrown in and out bends fast. This is perhaps expected given the long-travel suspension it rides on. Clearly, this isn’t a GR Corolla – yet another TNGA-based creation.

Should you keep your driving sane though, then there’s the soft and supple dampers to bask in, and this truly bodes well with this MPV’s comfort- and efficiency-focused nature, both of which being the biggest bonuses of the powertrain’s added electrification.

Under the hood, the range-topping Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV uses a similar setup derived from the latest fifth-gen Prius.

Tell Us About Its Hybrid Drive Then…

Having a TNGA base enabled Toyota to endow this MPV with the same hybrid drivetrain tech lifted from the latest and award-winning fifth-gen Prius. The package consists of a 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol mill paired with an electric motor and compact 6.5 Ahr battery. The video below ought to explain how it all works.

Whilst the combustion element supplies a respectable 152 HP and 188 NM, the electric side of things brings 113 HP and 206 NM into the mix. Managing both seamlessly is an eCVT automatic box that sends power to the front wheels. Said transmission is indeed smooth operator, and it also bolsters this MPV’s comfort-focused driving traits further.

That’s because this Toyota’s hybrid system typically leans more towards electric power, hence the silence during start-up, availability of an ‘EV Mode’ with limited all-electric driving abilities, and the presence of brake energy regeneration to boosts battery recharging. Crucially, this electrified system provides much needed torque boost under hard acceleration as well.

Added electrification through the hybrid system delivers a respectably peppy yet refined and smooth power delivery. It's also very frugal.

Much of the hybrid powertrain's smoothness stems from the eCVT automatic transmission. Present in this hybrid range-topper too is limited full-electric driving abilities through 'EV Mode'. 

Drive it right and this seemingly large, lumbering people-mover can be quite frugal. During our test, we averaged as low as 7.4 litres/100 KM without trying too hard, and through a real-world mix of urban and highway driving stints too. And before you ask, Toyota’s official claim here reads at 4.6 litres/100 KM. Our only gripe here is the e-CVT box’s typical roar when pushed during hard acceleration.

Overall, the Innova Zenix’s electrified powertrain is a smooth, frugal operator that’s also far from gutless. Above all else, the highly refined delivery and easily attainable efficiency adds to its brilliance. And that’s before we get into the rich creature comforts this range-topping variant boasts…

Despite costing half the price, many will find the Innova Zenix's innards to be equally as plush, spacious, and richly equipped as the larger and pricier Vellfire or Alphard.

Like The Vellfire And Alphard You Say?

It really is, albeit sans the dual sliding doors said larger, pricier and now TNGA-based luxo-MPVs duo boast. That aside, the Innova Zenix is indeed more akin to said duo through its exclusive second-row ‘Captain Seats’, and novel blue-hued cabin ambient lighting strips that flank its panoramic sunroof.

Second-row 'Captain Seats' are exclusively to this range-topping hybrid variant. Added adjustment angles plus leather upholstery makes these the comfiest space in the cabin.

Also exclusive to this range-topping hybrid variant are the novel blue-hued cabin ambient lighting strips and panoramic sunroof.

10.1-inch infotainment offers wireless  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 360-degree and 3D parking camera. The latter's display resolution does however fall a tad bit short.

Also present is a wireless smartphone charging cradle placed in the centre armrest storage bin.

Said exclusives come on top of rather plush basics the Innova Zenix is endowed with from the get go – even in the un-electrified 2.0V variant slotted below – like leather seats, automatic climate control with dedicated second row controls and vents plus dedicated third-row vents, as well as a powered tailgate.

For drivers, the inclusion of a power-adjustable seat, keyless entry and ignition, electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, as well as sizeable 10.1-inch infotainment and 7-inch TFT instrument displays with a 360-degree and 3D parking camera in the former, ought to sweeten things further.

And before you ask, said infotainment offers both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity – a relative necessity these days. It’s also supplemented with a wireless charging unit hidden in the centre armrest storage bin. Clearly, Toyota covered all the basics well on this front, and rightfully so.

Toyota says the third-row bench seats three, but realistically it's better off accommodating two adults comfortably.

Presence of a powered tailgate is nifty, and it grants easy access to the cavernous boot which offers either 239-litres, or up to 690-litres with the third row bench folded.

Vellfire- and Alphard-like too is the abundant cabin real estate the Innova Zenix’s boasts, and this isn’t just for passenger comforts either. Even with the third-row seats up, there’s still 239-litres of useable luggage space available, and this is expandable up to 690 litres with said third row bench folded down.

All things considered, it’s perhaps fair to say we were nitpicking when we noted the seemingly poor resolution of the 360-degree and 3D parking camera display in the central infotainment. Otherwise, there really isn’t much to complain about life inside the Innova Zenix.

In terms of safety, Toyota didn't compromise. The latest TSS 3.0 ADAS suite is primed as standard, and it grants Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

What About Safety?

Like the rich creature comforts mentioned, Toyota also covered all the angles on this front, and not just through the basics either – things like ABS, traction and stability control suites (TCS and VSA), plus seatbelts and ISOFIX childseat mounts, are all accounted for across all variants.

Having a TNGA base also enabled Toyota to lace the Innova Zenix with a barrage of active driving assist (ADAS) features through the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0 suite. Altogether, this collection of alphabetical acronyms – which we mentioned at length in our launch report – grants Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities.

Also equipped in our tester were front and rear Digital Video Recorders (DVRs, or 'dashcams').

Present too is a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

There’s indeed a lot of said acronyms to list, but we’ll be brief by noting that it all works as designed and are easy to toggle between whilst not feeling too intrusive too. We’ll also note how it’s been improved with better optical and radar sensors all around that even enables it to read road signs clearly.

Overall, this is yet another front that the mighty Toyota badge arguably executed in equally flawless manner as it does with long-term reliability. Combined, you could say this combination could ALMOST justify this range topping Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV variant’s princely price tag of RM202,000 sans insurance… 

At RM202,000, the range-topping Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV isn't exactly a cheap proposition. But it does hold plenty of merit to justify its princely price tag.

Yikes! That’s Not Exactly Cheap, No?

And we agree, that is indeed very pricey, and quite the jump over the previous Innova model, which is still on sale with a RM60,000 lower ceiling price. In contrast, this electrified variant also costs a good RM37,000 more than its non-hybrid 2.0V twin slotted below it.

However, opting for said lower-end variant means trading off the added bonuses and frugal magic of electrification plus a few luxuries, whilst reverting to the older and cheaper ladder-framed predecessor means foregoing on this TNGA-based successor’s brilliantly refined luxuries and comforts.

Besides a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty, UMWT includes a separate 8-year, unlimited mileage hybrid components warranty for the price too.

Besides the promise of unrivalled reliability, plus the electrified frugality and refinement, perhaps the only saving grace to said princely price tag is the inclusion of UMWT’s usual 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty coverage plus a separate 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on the hybrid system components.

Nevertheless, for those willing to shell out the extra Ringgits on the Innova Zenix, the long-term pros this range-topping hybrid variant stands to deliver is worth the premium indeed, especially considering that the next best thing – the latest-gen TNGA-based Vellfire – costs more than double.

SPECIFICATIONS

TOYOTA INNOVA ZENIX 2.0 HEV