Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova Crysta review: Quintessential people mover

The Toyota Innova Crysta has been around since 2016 and is the undisputed king of the MPV segment, a position cemented by the original Innova back in 2005. The Crysta then upped the ante, offering a 2.7-litre petrol and two diesels, a 2.4-litre and a 2.8-litre. Currently, the Toyota Innova Crysta can only be had with the 2.4-litre diesel with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Toyota Innova Crysta Design

The Toyota Innova Crysta hasn’t gone through any major visual makeover since its launch, but the company did give it a mild facelift in 2020. The Innova still looks well-proportioned with a substantial road presence, and the large grille, swept-back headlamps, and broad shoulders give it a solid, mature stance. While it’s not flamboyant or edgy, the design remains practical and purposeful – exactly what buyers in this segment expect.

Toyota Innova Crysta Interior

Step inside the Innova Crysta and you're greeted with a sense of space and comfort. The dashboard has a layered design, and the materials used feel durable and built to last. The seats are broad and offer generous cushioning, making long journeys a breeze. The Innova Crysta can be had in a 7-seater configuration with captain seats in the middle row, while an 8-seater layout is also available.

Toyota has nailed the ergonomics, with controls that fall easily to hand and excellent all-round visibility. Practical touches like foldable trays, ample storage spaces, and multiple charging ports add to the overall usability. The third row is usable for adults too, which isn’t always the case in many MPVs. Boot space is limited with all three rows up, but the rear seats can be folded to create more room if needed.

Toyota Innova Crysta Features and Safety

In terms of features, the Innova Crysta offers a respectable equipment list, with auto climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system - but it lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry with push-button start, LED headlights, ambient lighting, and a powered driver seat.

On the safety front, the Crysta is well-equipped. It comes with seven airbags on the top variants, ABS with EBD, brake assist, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.

Toyota Innova Crysta Engine and Performance

Under the hood, the Toyota Innova Crysta comes with a solitary, 2.4-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that can only be had with a 5-speed manual which sends power to the rear wheels. This diesel engine produces 150hp and 343Nm of torque. It’s worth noting, the 6-speed auto option, along with the 2.8-litre diesel and 2.7-litre petrol engines, have all being discontinued from the line-up.

While the 2.4 diesel doesn’t quite have the punch of the discontinued 2.8 diesel, it performs adequately. The power delivery is smooth and linear, with ample torque available in the mid-range. It’s not the quickest MPV around, but it gets the job done without any fuss. The gear lever takes some effort to slot into gear and the clutch pedal is too hard for a comfortable drive in dense traffic, but it feels much better suited to highway drives.

Toyota Innova Crysta Ride and Handling

One of the Crysta’s biggest strengths is its ride comfort. The suspension setup has been tuned for Indian roads, and it shows. The vehicle absorbs bumps and undulations with ease, especially at city speeds. The steering is hydraulic, which means it offers good feedback on the move but feels a bit heavy at lower speeds. This can make parking or tight turns a bit of a workout, especially compared to rivals with lighter electric steering setups. However, for highway cruising, the steering weight is reassuring and adds to the overall stability of the vehicle.

Toyota Innova Crysta Price and Verdict

The Toyota Innova Crysta is priced from Rs 19.99 lakh to Rs 26.82 lakh, which is on the expensive side. However, it still manages to justify its price tag thanks to the overall package it offers – bulletproof reliability, comfort, space, practicality and peace of mind. Yes, the relative lack of performance and features is disappointing. But the Innova Crysta still shines as the MPV of choice for families and fleet buyers alike.