[CAR REPORTS] The Revolutionary Toyota Innova Cross: A Modern and Dominant Force in Its Class

The affordable 7-seater MPV segment is already filled with several models, such as the Toyota Veloz Cross, Mitsubishi Xpander, Suzuki Ertiga/XL7, Honda BR-V, Hyundai Stargazer, and Kia Carens.

With such fierce competition, it may seem challenging for Toyota to stand out. However, their engineers have successfully transformed the standard MPV model into a versatile and sporty vehicle – the Toyota Innova Cross.

The Toyota Innova Cross boasts an elegant and imposing exterior with dimensions of 4,755 x 1,850 x 1,970 mm, making it larger than most other affordable MPV models. It also offers a generous wheelbase of 2,850 mm, providing ample seating space for 7 adults.

In addition to its spacious dimensions, the Toyota Innova Cross features a bold and rugged SUV-inspired design. It is equipped with a large hexagonal grille, multi-compartment LED headlights, prominent character lines on 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 with its abundance of equipment, including automatic on/off and adaptive lighting control for intelligent beams, a 360-degree camera system, power tailgate, and front/rear proximity sensors, among others.

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.

Passengers in the rear of the car can adjust the recline angle and footrest position with electric controls. The car is also equipped with charging ports, cup holders, and separate air conditioning for the rear seats. Notably, the Innova Cross features a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting.

The front seats of the Toyota Innova Cross are modern and well-designed. The main control panel is placed conveniently in the center of the dashboard.

From top to bottom, the dashboard features a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and a 6-speaker entertainment system. It also includes an automatic climate control system, a gear lever placed next to the electronic parking brake and 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.

The driver’s view is highlighted by an eye-catching instrument cluster, which combines analog elements with a modern 7-inch multi-information display. Paddle shifters for simulated gear shifts are located behind the steering wheel. The integrated steering wheel also features entertainment control functions and 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 features are complemented by 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 for Toyota vehicles.

The TNGA platform, combined with MacPherson front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension, provides a highly effective driving experience. Real-world tests have shown that the car’s suspension is designed to be soft, ensuring a comfortable ride for passengers. Additionally, the speed-sensitive power-assisted electronic steering wheel offers smooth and enjoyable handling.

What sets it apart is not only its exceptional steering performance but also its hybrid 2.0L engine, available in the high-end variant. This engine not only provides more power but also delivers a 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 offers 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 car becomes more fuel-efficient when driving at lower speeds in the city, which is the opposite of conventional gasoline-powered models.

The wide windows, combined with blind-spot warning, give the driver enhanced visibility and confidence when maneuvering this majestic MPV on narrow and crowded city roads.

In conclusion, the Toyota Innova Cross, with its striking dimensions, modern design, abundance of safety and convenience features, and competitive prices for the 2.0V petrol version (810 million VND) and HEV (hybrid engine, 990 million VND) models, is expected to make a strong impact in the same segment.

Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)

Photos: Huy Bách