[CAR REVIEWS] All-new Toyota Innova Cross: Modern, Powerful Leading in its segment

At present, the affordable 7-seater MPV segment is crowded with various models such as the Toyota Veloz Cross, Mitsubishi Xpander, Suzuki Ertiga/XL7, Honda BR-V, Hyundai Stargazer, and Kia Carens.

The market has developed rapidly, so how can Toyota “bring a fresh breeze into the saturated car market”? This seemed to be a difficult problem to solve, but Japanese engineers cleverly deciphered it by transforming a simple MPV model into a versatile and sporty vehicle – the Toyota Innova Cross.

The Toyota Innova Cross has a majestic exterior with dimensions of 4,755 x 1,850 x 1,970 mm, which are significantly larger than those of other affordable MPV models. The wheelbase of the car is also 2,850 mm, providing spacious seating for 7 adults.

In addition to its spacious dimensions, the Toyota Innova Cross features a bold and rugged SUV-inspired design: a large hexagonal grille at the front, multi-compartment LED headlights, prominent character lines that run across the lower bumper with integrated position lights, muscular body with raised body lines, and a square and elegant rear trunk.

The Toyota Innova Cross also impresses users with its abundant equipment: automatic on/off and adaptive lighting control for intelligent beams, a 360-degree camera system, power tailgate, front/rear proximity sensors, etc.

Inside the car, the Toyota Innova Cross 2024 offers a spacious interior. With a width of 1.5 meters and a wheelbase of over 2.8 meters, it provides comfortable seating for 2 passengers in the middle row with standard captain seats. The sliding mechanism ensures quick customization of the entry and exit positions for passengers in the third row.

Meanwhile, users can conveniently adjust the recline angle and footrest position with electric controls. Charging ports, cup holders, and separate air conditioning are also provided for the rear seats. Most notably, the car features a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting.

Stepping to the front seats, users will be surprised by the modern and well-designed features. The main control panel is scientifically arranged in the center of the dashboard.

From top to bottom, there is a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and a 6-speaker entertainment system; an automatic climate control system; a gear lever placed next to the electronic parking brake, driving mode, and two charging ports. All of these are surrounded by a modern chrome trim, giving the Innova Cross a youthful and luxurious look.

Before the driver is an eye-catching instrument cluster, a blend of analog and modern 7-inch multi-information display. Behind the steering wheel are paddle shifters for simulated gear shifts. The integrated steering wheel features entertainment control functions as well as the intelligent safety features of the Toyota Safety Sense package.

Passengers are protected by a range of advanced driving assistance technologies, including pre-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, active cruise control, and automatic high beam.

These are complemented by other features such as tire pressure warning, electronic parking brake, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and 6 airbags. Moreover, the Toyota Innova Cross is developed on the TNGA platform – a global standard of the Japanese carmaker.

The TNGA platform with MacPherson front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension has been proven to be highly effective through our speed bump test. Real-world experiences also show that the car’s suspension is designed to be soft, ensuring a comfortable ride for passengers. Additionally, the power-assisted electronic steering wheel on the 2024 Toyota Innova Cross is speed-sensitive, offering easy and enjoyable handling.

What sets it apart is not only the steering wheel operation but also the hybrid 2.0L engine on the high-end variant. The engine not only provides more power but also has a much more responsive throttle thanks to the intervention of the electric motor.

Moreover, Toyota’s hybrid cars have the ability to self-charge the battery during deceleration or while maintaining speed. The charging and discharging processes are automatically calculated and controlled by the computer. Therefore, drivers of the Innova Cross don’t need to worry about calculating the route or finding charging stations. They can simply sit inside the car and enjoy the comfort that hybrid electric technology brings.

Thanks to its hybrid engine, the high-end version of the Toyota Innova Cross boasts an impressive fuel efficiency: only 4.35 L/100km in urban areas, 5.26 L/100km on highways, and 4.92 L/100km for mixed road conditions. This means that the slower you drive (in the city), the more fuel-efficient the car is, which is completely opposite to conventional gasoline-powered models.

The driver’s vision is also clear. The wide windows, combined with blind-spot warning, help the driver feel more confident when driving this majestic MPV on narrow and crowded city roads.

In conclusion, the Toyota Innova Cross with its majestic dimensions, modern design, abundant safety and convenience features, and reasonable prices for the 2.0V petrol version (810 million VND) and HEV (hybrid engine, 990 million VND) models, is expected to pose a tough challenge to competitors in the same segment.

Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)

Photos: Huy Bách