[Silver Knight]

My Innova GX ( 7 seater) 2010

My Toyota Innova Gx ( 7seater) odo reads 18 K on the odo after 8 months.

Some quick facts about the car.
• It’s my daily drive (Actually it became my daily drive; more on that later).
• Excellent handling (My other car is a Swift D). It is fun to drive and can carve corners well. But keep in mind it’s an MUV and not a low slung race car.
• The car does very little city traffic duties. 80% of the mileage done on hi-ways of Kerala
• It’s real pain to wash a white Innova.
• Engine needs to be revved hard to extract performance.
• For the size it gives excellent mileage. Lowest I got till date is 11.2 kmpl and the highest 15 Kmpl. Normal drives with full A/C gives me around 13 Kmpl.
• If driven hard it guzzles diesel.
• Innova badly needs a sixth gear or a little tallish fifth gear for a more relaxed cruising. The motor feels and sounds tad busy at cruising speeds
• Goodyear GT3s are underrated tyres. Really satisfied with the performance.
• Excellent fit and finish ( Interiors)
• Very poor paint quality.
• I am getting a very slight rubbing feeling from the steering column. Toyota service people are still not able to diagnose it.
• Save for the parking, this car is a breeze to drive.
• Toyota accessories have shockingly exorbitant prices. Eg: Fog lamps costs Rs 24K, small reflect stip on the bumper costs Rs 1600/- and so on. For accessories I strongly recommend aftermarket and I advice to stay away from Toyota genuine accessories.
• Excellent A/C.
• Excellent gear shift quality.
• Pricing is on the higher side.

My initial plan was to confine the use to long distance hi-way runs with the whole family as we had a Swift and a Wagon R doing duties. After just 15 days of using the Innova we decided to bid adieu to our five year old Wagon R and eventually Innova became my daily drive. My job demands lots of long distance hi-way runs and Innova became the perfect companion.

Here goes my observation after living with the car for 18 K Kms.

Ergonomics: Excellent seating position for all. Even the third rows render acceptable comfort. Steering wheel is thin on the GX.
Steering wheel on the GX version could have been better. Captain seats: Should I need to tell about them? Every body knows this car has one of the best rear seat comforts and it scored better than my expectations.

Performance: Engine is stock and will remain so. It’s not a quick car, but adequately powered for its size and cruise-ability. This car is bestowed with strong mid-range (Read useful power). It takes some time to find out, but once you get the hang to dial the right revs to keep the powerplant in full steam it becomes altogether a different ball-game. It can keep up with most of the faster cars running on Indian hi-ways. As I said earlier the engine becomes tad noisy when revved.

Handling: This was the real surprise package for me and will remain the same for any one who drives Innova for the first time on a winding road. This car handles almost like a sedan if not better. For an MUV of this size and weight it can’t get better than this. I can vouch for the excellent handling and road grip. I am running on stock GT3 tyres and they are doing good job till date.
I was spoiled by the excellent handling of my Swift before using the Innova. Innova is a testimony that an MUV can be a good handler as well. Innova unlike other MUVs is slightly tightly sprung and has a stiffer ride which aids handling in a long way.

Braking: Good braking and the car maintained composure during even under hard braking.

Mileage: The car returns decent mileage figures in the range of 13-14 kmpl with 100% A/C on 80% hi-way 20% city runs.

Toyota Service: When Toyota says ‘Q’ class service they mean it. Did 1 K, 10K and 15 K service from Nippon Toyota Thrissur and 5K service from Amana Toyota Calicut. Both did decent jobs. Services are surprisingly cheap and the service quality so far was excellent.

Overall I am very happy with the car.
If you have an 11-14 lakh budget and your confusion remains even after a while, buy an Innova eyes shut.

Will be updating this space as the car logs more and more ‘Q’ miles.

[sumannandy]

Nice review. Innova is a very very reliable vehicle. Please post some pictures of your vehicle.

[dot]

Originally Posted by Silver Knight

Will be updating this space as the car logs more and more ‘Q’ miles.

Nice review. You can probably be rest assured for lakhs of kilometers. I know Innovas that has done over 2 lakhs and still going good.

Originally Posted by sumannandy

Innova is a very very reliable vehicle.

True, thats probably why a certain factor called depreciation does not hit Innova too much.

[mdsaab]

Great review, easy to read and to the point.
What more can i say, the Innova is a fantastic vehicle and the perfect all rounder. my only gripe is the size, i found it a tad to big for congested city roads. but the gentlemen who came with us for the test drive was driving it like a hot hatch. I asked him how he was so comfortable, chucking her around. and he said that once you are used to it the size shrinks around you. seeing the way he drove it. I BELIEVE HIM!

On my Innova wish list, i wish there was an AT transmission. with an AT i would be more comfortable driving her in the city. i have heard the next innova might come with an AT, and boy am i glad to hear that!

The mileage you are getting is fantastic for such a large vehicle.

have only heard good news about toyota service. also the innova is really affordable to maintain. its such a robust vehicle. hardly anything goes wrong with it.

Wishing you many more joyful highway miles with you plus size beauty!
Drive Safe!

[Silver Knight]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Great review, easy to read and to the point.
What more can i say, the Innova is a fantastic vehicle and the perfect all rounder. my only gripe is the size, i found it a tad to big for congested city roads. but the gentlemen who came with us for the test drive was driving it like a hot hatch. I asked him how he was so comfortable, chucking her around. and he said that once you are used to it the size shrinks around you. seeing the way he drove it. I BELIEVE HIM!

On my Innova wish list, i wish there was an AT transmission. with an AT i would be more comfortable driving her in the city. i have heard the next innova might come with an AT, and boy am i glad to hear that!

The mileage you are getting is fantastic for such a large vehicle.

have only heard good news about toyota service. also the innova is really affordable to maintain. its such a robust vehicle. hardly anything goes wrong with it.

Wishing you many more joyful highway miles with you plus size beauty!
Drive Safe!

size is not a concern once you get used to it. I was using hatches before upgrading to innova.
And regarding the mileage most of them are surprised that such a huge vehicle give good mileage, especially petrol heads
i feel this can be imrpoved if they had used a little more taller fifth gear or one more cog.

[sr_1445]

I love my Innova. Mine's hs clocked.around 65 kms. Everyone has already said about the performace. Brilliant cruiser & comfortable in yhe city. NHV is pretty low so its pretty refined both inside the city and on the highway. No complains there Although i agree about the paint quality.
The build quality inside is Toyota like. Brilliant.
Some complains : The markings on the some controls(headlight lever/knob , Music system) have started disappearing










When i try to take out the spare tyre. The rod(2 pieces) used to bring down the spare come loose easily.







So welded mine's for convenience.



Another complain is about the finish of the wipers. My car is just 4 years old and the wiper's paint layer seems to be coming off.



Theres a another small issue about tyre change. The wheel refuses to come off from the hub. So my Toyota A.S.S. greased my wheel hub to make wheel changes easier. I dont know if im the only Innova owner facing this.

Other than these minor problems, my Innova has outperformed my expectations when i first bought it.

[Silver Knight]

Update the car has done 80000 kms now.Still feel fresh. Will pen down by experience soon.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by sr_1445

The markings on the some controls(headlight lever/knob , Music system) have started disappearing

Same for me.

When i try to take out the spare tyre. The rod(2 pieces) used to bring down the spare come loose easily. So welded mine's for convenience.

I need to get this done. I faced same issue when I was rotating tyres recently.

Another complain is about the finish of the wipers. My car is just 4 years old and the wiper's paint layer seems to be coming off.

In my case, paint chipped when I was replacing wiper blade.
Does your innova get washed with hard water? Marks on paint make me feel that way.

The wheel refuses to come off from the hub.

Please check how car gets washed. Hard water reaching wheel hub can be a cause for this.

[sr_1445]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

Does your innova get washed with hard water? Marks on paint make me feel that way.
Please check how car gets washed. Hard water reaching wheel hub can be a cause for this.

Yes I guess so unfortunately. The man who washes our car uses normal tap water.

[Silver Knight]

The car odo reads 82520 Kms today.
The best quality product I have ever used. Reliable to a CAPITAL R. Quality to a CAPITAL Q.
The following are the replacements done so far.
1. Consumables: Lubes and filters at regular intervals. Except for the first 1000kms oil change I stuck with Toyota recommended 10K Kms oil change interval and mineral oil.
2. A set of tyres. Came with the Goodyear GT3s which served well till 47 K Kms. Since then running on Hankook Optimo ME02. Fantastic tyres with good grip and life.
3. Switched to stock rated Philips Xtreme vision. It’s a straight fit but gives 30 to 40% more light and throw.
4. A fused rear bulb.
5. Two sets of wiper blades.
6. A set of brake pads at 70 K Kms
7. Yes that’s it!!! I have not even changed a bolt or nut other than that

Rattles; what’s that?
Breakdowns; Are you kidding?
Service Cost; Very reasonable, working out cheaper than my Swift VDi.
Mileage; 13-14 kmpl with full AC.

[Silver Knight]

Moderator: Please change the title as "Toyota Innova: Now at 82,500 Kms."

[mints21]

From the time you own an Innova, it has seen two facelifts. The poor paint quality and lack of 6th gear were the most reported flaws but have still not been addressed. However, in terms of reliability it has no match.

My travel agent swears by this car. His car had 500000 kms on ODO when it was sold. No maintenance is required and you rightly said that breakdown is out of question if serviced regularly.

[sukiwa]

I see TEIN sticker in one of photos. Have you changed to TEIN suspension?

[Silver Knight]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

I see TEIN sticker in one of photos. Have you changed to TEIN suspension?

No they arejust sticker.Stock suspension does the job well.
As [quote=sr_1445;3339983] rightly told I have also welded the rod that brings down the spare wheel. Else it get loose and bringing down the spare wheel is difficult.
I strongly recommend all Innova owners to practice bringing down the tyre at-least once. It is not easy when you do it for the first time. I also strongly recommend to weld the rod.

[Anupam]

I have clocked 110000 km on my 2005 G3 Innova, while the car is running great with no issues, but some minor but persistent issues that I am not able to sort out

1. Paint quality is a issue for sure, scratches very easily and is an eye sore
2. I have started getting squeaking noise from somewhere near the steering column but can't pin point it
3. There is a steering column rubbing issue as well
4. Steering should had Been a little lighter
5. I have changed the entire set of rims due to some rusting and resulting in pressure release
6. The lever to lower the spare wheel needs some expertise, some practice is important else one can get stuck in a crisis situation
7. 12 volt tyre inflator is a life saver, and is a MUST BUY
8. Mechanically, electrically I have not faced any issues till date

Overall cost of ownership is extremely low, service only at Toyota, timely service and using OE is again a must

I have done Pune to Leh and back with no additional preparation before and nothing extra post return



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