Toyota Just Updated The Innova Crysta: Last Chance To Own A Legend
Toyota has just launched a refreshed version of the Innova Crysta MPV in the Indian market. The Innova has been a legendary name in the MPV segment and has ruled this category for decades. Recently, Toyota announced that it would be discontinuing the Innova Crysta next year. So, this latest update is probably one of the last ones that Toyota will offer for the Innova, and it may also be the last chance for many buyers to own this legend.
The Innova Crysta is still a very popular choice among buyers, and we are sure that when people heard the news for the first time, many were disappointed. The demand and waiting period for the Innova Crysta may have also increased. However, the upcoming stricter CAFE III norms are one of the major reasons why the Crysta will be discontinued.
Toyota has already formulated a strategy to comply with the new norms, and petrol-hybrid powertrains appear to be the path it has chosen. The hybrid portfolio will help Toyota gain super credits that are helpful for a car manufacturer that is targeting meeting the CAFE 3 norms. Each strong hybrid vehicle is counted as two vehicles in the CAFE calculation, and that makes things easier for the manufacturer that is trying to meet its fleet CO₂ targets.
As mentioned above, the Toyota Innova Crysta is a popular MPV among both private and fleet buyers. In fact, one of the main reasons why the Crysta, and the Innova name in general, is so popular is its simplicity. It is a sensible, no-nonsense premium MPV that is extremely reliable.
The Innova Crysta remains a preferred choice for several reasons. One of them is its robust engine. The current model, in compliance with emission norms, comes with a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine. It is available only with a manual transmission and generates 147 bhp and 343 Nm of torque. The engine offers strong low-end performance and is also quite refined.
Although Toyota now offers the more premium Innova Hycross, demand for the Crysta remains strong because it is more affordable and is considered more comfortable by many buyers. The Crysta is a body-on-frame MPV and is often regarded as being more comfortable on long journeys. Its diesel engine also performs better on mountain roads.
Toyota knows that there are still plenty of buyers for the Innova Crysta in India, which is one reason why it intentionally offers the Crysta only with a manual transmission. If the Crysta were available with an automatic gearbox, many customers might still choose it over the Hycross. The ride quality of the Hycross is not considered as comfortable as the Crysta by some buyers, and the lower variants of the Hycross come with a regular petrol engine that is not particularly fuel-efficient.
As part of the update, Toyota has revised the front grille of the Innova Crysta. It now gets chrome garnishes on the bumper as well. Depending on the variant, Toyota is offering features such as automatic LED projector headlamps, halogen fog lamps, and 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels.
On the inside, the MPV gets new dual-tone seat upholstery, and several trims feature a Grace Copper finish on elements such as the steering wheel and door panels. Toyota is also offering features like a wireless phone charger and a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on the higher variants.
The price of the updated Toyota Innova Crysta now starts at ₹19.72 lakh (ex-showroom) and goes all the way up to ₹26.63 lakh (ex-showroom). Compared to the previous version, the MPV has become more expensive by up to ₹83,000.
So, if you are planning to buy a rugged ladder-frame MPV with a robust and reliable diesel engine along with a comfortable ride quality, this is probably one of the last opportunities you will have. Toyota is expected to discontinue the Innova Crysta next year and replace it with a lower-trim strong-hybrid version of the Innova Hycross.