Innova Crysta: Swapping captain seats with bench seat in middle row

As I also want some comforts like ACC, I want to get the ZX variant. However it doesn't come with an 8 seater option.

BHPian oh_maan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi, I want to get an Innova Crysta automatic. As I also want some comforts like ACC, I want to get the ZX variant. However it doesn't come with an 8 seater option. Is it possible to swap out the captain seats to a bench seat? Will it affect any warranty?

Here's what BHPian cs_rajesh had to say on the matter:

Yes. Changing 7 seater to 8 seater requires you to notify the modification to RTO and get it endorsed or change the registration from 7 to 8 seater. I was told by a Toyota dealer that the cost sof eat change would be 1.5 -2 lakhs, but still Toyota can’t make provision for seat belt for the middle seat of the middle row and that RTO will never accept it as there will be no seat belts . Toyota too cannot certify the seat change alone and make the vehicle modification complaint to standards. One needs to bring not only seat change but also the seat belt together.

If that is not endorsed or changed on registration, then insurance claim would be void since there has been a change of 7 seater to 8 seater. My dealer said someone had done it to a Z variant but later, they had to let the vehicle go as they came to realize that they can’t claim insurance.

Here's what BHPian Tgo had to say on the matter:

 Even if you do the change and get it endorsed in the RC., some states like UK, require annual inspection of vehicles having 8 seats and above. So just check that too for your state.

Here's what BHPian blorebuddy had to say on the matter:

I came across this. Not sure how comfortable is this and also not sure on safety aspects.

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