THE 2.0-litre Toyota Innova Zenix with a fifth-generation hybrid powertrain is not only a pleasure to drive, but also impressively fuel economical as we discovered after spending a few days with it.
With a RM202,000 price tag, the 7-seater hybrid crossover multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with a 6.5Ahr nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh) battery is packed with lots of nice cabin comforts and advanced safety features.
We enjoyed the spacious cabin, comfortable leather seats as well as the second row Captain seats.
We found ample and responsive low-end torque, which makes the Innova Zenix Hybrid feel at home in stop-and-go, or slow-moving city traffic.
The Innova Zenix Hybrid features an electric motor that makes 206Nm of torque, and the hybrid powertrain can produce 186PS (total system output).
Power delivery to the front wheels is via an E-CVT (electronic continuously variable transmission).
Fitted with Indonesian-made Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 in 225/50 R18 size performance tyres, the Innova Zenix Hybrid cruises effortlessly on smooth-flowing highways.
The drive quality is refined, and occupants are well insulated from unpleasant road shocks and external noise.
The suspension is tuned for comfort, and there is ample cushioning from jarring shocks even on bumpy and poorly maintained road.
What we found surprising was that the Innova Zenix Hybrid doesn’t feel big and bulky, and handled with composure at higher speeds in road bends and corners.
When we took the car, the drive computer showed 511km remaining travel distance before a refuel is needed.
After driving 432km in mixed highway and stop-and-go traffic condition over a few days, the drive computer showed a 52km remaining travel distance.
Fuel consumption recorded was 7.6 litres per 100km or 13.16km per litre.
This is quite impressive as we are not light-footed drivers, and more of the impatient sort.
The Innova Zenix Hybrid is not a lightweight car, with a 1,685kg kerb weight.
The commendable fuel consumption recorded was also helped by the fact that there were only one or two occupants in the car most of the time.
We found the hybrid system to be quite seamless in automatically switching between zero emission EV (electric vehicle) mode and the petrol-powered engine when we drove at low speeds in the city and with a light foot on the highway.
The Innova Zenix Hybrid starts silently by default in EV mode, when you press the push-start button and step on the brake pedal.
Also, provided the hybrid battery has enough charge, the driver can switch to the EV drive mode via an EV mode button.
We drove in Eco and Normal drive modes most of the time, except when we were in the mood for some spirited driving in the Power drive mode.
The 7-inch full-colour Multi Information Display (MID) also shows a trip summary with an Eco Score, and shows where you can adjust your driving habits to improve fuel economy (such as Acceleration to Improve).
The smooth, refined and fuel-sipping motoring is also thanks to the Innova Zenix’s Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) which provides greater rigidity, better agility, improved ride comfort and weight-optimised fuel efficiency.
Its monocoque construction (like a passenger car’s) also provides a roomy interior with a flat floor.
Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control is commendable and we were well insulated from road, wind and traffic noises.
We also like the high quality ambience in the cabin, which provides lots of elbow, head and leg room.
For 1.7-metre people, there is decent headroom in the reclined third-row seats which can be folded to expand rear cargo space.
The reclining feature improves seating comfort.
There are multiple cup holders and stowage spaces, and we found three USB-C ports and one USB-A port to charge mobile devices.
Convenient and useful features include a deep center storage box (between front seats), a powered tailgate, Auto Hold function (in stop-and-go driving conditions), a powered sunroof, a powered driver’s seat and a surround view camera system (when parking or manoeuvring in tight spaces).
When you unlock the car, the ground on both sides of the car is illuminated by welcome lights on the side mirrors.
The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is paired to a six-speaker audio system, and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s also a heap of Toyota Safety Sense suite of active safety technologies and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) here.
UMW Toyota Motor also offers the Innova Zenix with a conventional 2.0-litre 174PS/205Nm petrol engine, mated to a 10-speed Direct Shift CVT (continuously variable transmission).
The 8-seater Innova Zenix 2.0 V is priced at RM165,000 (RM37,000 cheaper than the hybrid variant).
While both Innova Zenix variants have similar comfort and safety features, the hybrid has extras like a panoramic sunroof and second-row Captain seats, with a walk-in slide and side table.
The hybrid battery pack has a separate warranty of up to eight years, with unlimited mileage and also includes the inverter and power management control ECU (engine control unit).
Those who can afford the hefty price tag of the 7-seater Innova Zenix Hybrid, would be quite charmed by this impressively well-engineered and fuel-sipping hybrid crossover MPV with a spacious, comfortable cabin, numerous convenience features, and also, offers lots of motoring enjoyment for both city and highway driving.
SPECIFICATIONS
Toyota Innova Zenix Hybrid
Engine: 1,987cc 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC, chain drive, Atkinson-cycle
Maximum power: 152PS at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 188Nm at 4,400 to 5,200rpm
Hybrid system: Permanent magnet synchronous motor, 6.5Ahr nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh) battery
Total system output: 186PS
Electric motor: 206Nm
Transmission: E-CVT or electronic continuously variable transmission
Drive System: Front-wheel drive
Suspension: Front MacPherson strut with stabiliser; rear torsion beam with stabiliser
Fuel tank capacity: 52 litres
Kerb weight: 1,685kg
Features: Seven-seater, all-round disc brakes, 225/50 R18 tyres, 205/65 R16 spare tyre, LED headlights (with Auto High Beam), LED tail lamps, Panoramic Sunroof, powered wing mirrors with Welcome Lamp and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) indicators, Drive Mode (Normal, Eco, Power and EV), paddle shifters, 7-inch colour TFT multi-information display, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker audio system, Black leather seats, 8-way powered driver’s seat, 2nd row Captain seats - Walk in Slide and Side Table, 3 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port, powered tailgate, 3D Panoramic View Monitor, Digital Video Recorder (DVR) - front
Safety features: Six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Electric parking brake, Auto Brake Hold
Advanced safety features: Toyota Safety Sense - Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Pre-Collision Braking Assist (PCBA), Adaptive Control Cruise (ACC) with Full Speed Range, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Security: Immobiliser, Siren with Back up Battery, Ultrasonic Sensor, Glass Brake Sensor, Vehicle Telematics System (VTS)
Price: RM202,000 on the road without insurance
Warranty: 5 years warranty, unlimited mileage; hybrid battery pack - 8 years warranty with unlimited mileage (includes inverter and power management control ECU)
