Toyota Innova Cross G 2025 Review: Rediscovering Its Dominance

Continuing a Legacy of Excellence

In 2006, the Toyota Innova began domestic assembly following the success of its predecessor, the Zace. Within two years, this MPV sold over 33,000 units. That same year, Toyota celebrated its 100,000th vehicle produced in Vietnam. Remarkably, Innova’s sales during this period accounted for one-third of Toyota’s total Vietnamese sales over a decade.

At its peak in 2018, Toyota delivered over 14,500 Innovas, averaging an impressive 1,000 units monthly. However, post-2018, its dominance waned. To reignite its success, Toyota introduced the Innova Cross in 2023 with V and HEV variants, followed by the G variant in late 2025.

Pricing Perfection

Toyota’s vehicles may not be flashy, but their global dominance stems from understanding customer psychology. The Innova Cross G 2026 exemplifies this with its strategic pricing. At 730 million VND, it bridges the gap between the Veloz Cross CVT TOP (660 million VND) and Innova Cross V (825 million VND), targeting buyers seeking a spacious, powerful MPV without premium features.

Thoughtful Refinements

Priced 90 million VND less than the V variant, the Innova Cross G features exterior and interior adjustments. The front retains LED reflector headlights, halogen turn signals, and fog lights, while the grille simplifies by removing chrome accents. It keeps eight proximity sensors but omits the 360-degree camera.

The exterior sports modest 205/65R16 tires and 16-inch silver alloy wheels with a simple five-spoke design. The rear loses the power tailgate but retains the wiper and defogger.

Inside, leather seats and electric driver’s seat adjustments remain, but front passenger and rear seats are manually adjusted. The 8-inch infotainment screen and analog odometer are standard. Safety features include electronic parking brake with auto-hold, cruise control, and six airbags.

The TNGA-based body-on-frame chassis meets global Toyota standards. The 2.0L M20A-FKS engine delivers 172 HP and 205 Nm, paired with a CVT transmission for front-wheel drive.

In the mid-size MPV segment, buyers seek affordability, space, robust performance, and comfort. Reduced entertainment and active safety features are acceptable trade-offs. Competitors like the Hyundai Custin and GAC M6 struggle to meet these demands, while pricier options like the Kia Carnival and Volkswagen Viloran cater to higher budgets.

Priced at 730 million VND, the Innova Cross G targets businesses needing comfortable inter-provincial transport and families desiring more than a basic MPV, emphasizing space and performance.

Future Success Potential

By strategically cutting features while retaining essentials like electronic parking brake, power seats, and airbags, Toyota demonstrates its deep understanding of Vietnamese preferences. The attractive 730 million VND price point underscores its market insight after over 30 years in Vietnam.

Since its 2023 launch, the Innova Cross has sold over 12,000 units, proving strong demand for affordable, spacious 7-seat MPVs. The G variant is poised to continue this success.

Launched alongside the Mitsubishi Destinator, priced at 749 million VND, the Innova Cross G targets a different audience. Its MPV design, 2.0L engine, spacious interior, and smooth ride differentiate it from the Destinator’s turbocharged, feature-rich SUV appeal.

Phan Anh (Tuoitrethudo)