Radiating a more rugged and modern appeal, the all-new Toyota Innova Zenix, officially launched in Malaysia.

The third-gen MPV sports a new GA-C version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, bestowing a new front-wheel drive system and monocoque body.

Fully-imported (CBU), the two variants (2.0 V - petrol, 2.0 HEV - hybrid) hailing from Indonesia tags at MYR 165,000 and MYR 202,000, respectively.

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) include a standard five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and a separate eight-year, unlimited mileage warranty for the hybrid’s battery pack.

Five exterior colours. Grey Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black Mica, Silver Metallic, and Avantgarde Bronze Metallic.

Note: Zenix in the moniker is to distinguish it as a separate model, an addition to the current local Innova range instead of a replacement.

Now denoted as Innova CG, the existing model still remains on sale with no change in pricings for the two variants offered (2.0 G, 2.0 X).

Weighing in at 1,595 KG (2.0 V), 1,685 KG (2.0 HEV), the all-new Innova Zenix stands at 4,760 MM long, 1,850 MM wide, 1,795 MM (2.0 V), 1,790 MM (2.0 HEV) tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,850 MM.

Solidly blocky, its silhouette is now characterised by SUV-like proportions as opposed to the previous model’s utilitarian appearance.

The front-end with a shorter overhang (55 MM) gets a new glossy-finished trapezium grille, paired to lower air-intakes. Accentuating the layout are chrome trims.

Also with a shorter overhang (25 MM), the rear-end is neat and angular, exuding the most SUV-like appeal compared to the rest of the exterior.

Simple with straight contours, it sees a sportily-sculpted roof-edge spoiler, paired to a black lower bumper cladding. Matching the front are the chrome trim details.

The new headlamps are angularly-shaped and have a focused design. Slanted inwards, they merge together with the grille’s top edges.

They are full LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and an Automatic High Beam (AHB) function.

Angular and wrapped-around, the tail lamps contribute a lot of aesthetic to the rear layout, compensating the minimalistic style well. Installed are LED units.

The side mirrors are power-adjustable and -foldable, complete with welcome lamps and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) indicators.

Fitted is a set of ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes, featuring an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

It rides on a set of 18-Inch, silver-painted multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 225/50 R18 tyres.

The all-new Innova Zenix has a structurally simple dashboard, draped in black leather, accentuated by silver trimmings and an ambient lighting system.

All the elements are placed logically and driver-centric for a better driving experience, and overall, the craftsmanship is premium quality.

Installed is a seven-Inch colour TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) with a speedometer.

A three-row interior upholstered in black leather, variant 2.0 V sees an eight-seater (2-3-3) configuration, while variant 2.0 HEV gets a seven-seater (2-2-3) configuration.

Standard, front seats are eight-way power-adjustable (driver) and manual-adjustable (passenger). Third-row gets a bench seat with a 5:5 tilt-down function.

Variant specific, installed in the second-row is a bench seat with a 6:4 walk-in-slide function (2.0 V), and two captain seats with a walk-in slide and side table (2.0 HEV).

Cabin space is ample for front, middle and rear occupants, as it offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms. 

The space is generous courtesy of the new TNGA-C platform, which boasts a slightly longer (20 MM) and wider (15 MM) footprint, and a flat cabin floor.

Numerous storage areas. E.g., side door and backseat pockets, a centre console caverned-storage, a dashboard storage, and a decent-sized glove box.

Fitted is a three-spoke black leather steering wheel. It comes with multi-switches (Audio, MID, Telephone, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS3), drive modes), paddle shifters and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic).

There are four cup holders, two in the first-row and two in the second-row. There are also six bottle holders, with each one located at the door side pockets.

It comes with multiple outlets, consisting of USB ports and 12-V power sockets, strategically placed for all three rows. 

Accessing its powered-tailgate (button-operated) opens up to 239-Litres of boot space, and up to 690-Litres with the third-row folded down.

The all-new Innova Zenix features the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS3) Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Included are Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Pre-Collision Brake Assist (PCBA), Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, Emergency Steering Assist (ESA), Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Full Speed Range, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist, and Automatic High Beam (AHB). 

Others comprise of 3D Panoramic View Monitor (360-degree camera), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver, passenger, sides, curtain), seat belts (reminders, pretensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (2-second-row), parking cameras, parking sensors (2-front, 4-rear), Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), alarm system (immobiliser, siren with backup battery, ultrasonic sensor, glass break sensor), and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR - front dashcam).

Variant 2.0 V features two drive modes (Normal, Eco), while variant 2.0 HEV gets four (Normal, Eco, Power, EV).

The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS3) suite of ADAS, along with the accompanying systems will make driving in the city or long distances a hassle-free endeavour.

It is installed with a 10.1-Inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, live navigation, USB and Bluetooth.

The infotainment is paired to a four-speaker with two-tweeter sound system setup.

Powering the all-new Innova Zenix are two new powertrains, a petrol and a hybrid.

Variant 2.0 V harbours an M20A-FKS, Dynamic Force 2.0-Litre, four-cylinder in-line, 16-valve DOHC petrol engine, producing 172 HP/128-KW at 6,000 RPM and 205 NM of torque at 4,500 to 4,900 RPM. 

Variant 2.0 HEV harbours an M20A-FXS, Dynamic Force 2.0-Litre, four-cylinder in-line, 16-valve DOHC petrol engine (150 HP/112-KW at 6,000 RPM, 188 NM of torque at 4,400 to 5,200 RPM), mated to a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (111 HP/83-KW, 206 NM of torque). Total system output is 183 HP.

Fitted in variant 2.0 V is a ten-speed Direct Shift CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic automatic transmission, and an E-CVT for the variant 2.0 HEV.

All power is sent to the front wheels, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)

Both variants have a fuel tank capacity of 52-Litres, and have a fuel consumption rated at 6.7L/100 KM (2.0 V), and 4.6L/100 KM (2.0 HEV).

For the hybrid, it features a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, with a self-charging capacity rated at 1.3-KWH.

The all-new Innova Zenix comes with smart entry and start system (keyless entry with engine start/stop button), auto headlamps and wipers, illumination system (ambient lighting, map lights, welcome lights), steering wheel (multi-function, tilt, telescopic, paddle shifters), power-adjustable driver seat, second-row captain seats (2.0 HEV), armrests (sliding front, fixed rear), electrochromic interior rear-view mirror, powered-tailgate, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, second-row centre table, automatic air-conditioning (front, rear), rear air-conditioning with fan speed control and roof vents (second/third-rows), panoramic sunroof (2.0 HEV), parking sensors (2-front, 4-rear), and a 360-degree camera.

There are rear air vents located at the second and third rows.

Courtesy of the new TNGA-C platform, the migration to a monocoque body brings about greater rigidity, better agility and improved ride comfort, while a lower centre of gravity improves stability.

Other than that, it rides on a setup of Macpherson strut with stabiliser (front) and torsion-Beam with stabiliser (rear).

Overall, it is spacious, firm and safe, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered, offering a comfortable driving dynamic.

It has good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects, and there are no abnormal wind issues at any speed.