At long last, the 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix has just been launched in Malaysia via a virtual event. Two 2.0 variants are on offer, one of them is a hybrid, and both of them are fully imported (CBU) from Indonesia. Prices are as below:

2.0 V (Dynamic Force engine): RM 165,000

2.0 Hybrid (New 5th gen hybrid): RM 202,000

Prices above are on-the-road for Peninsular Malaysia, excluding insurance.

As a CBU model taxes have thickened the prices somewhat, however price concious shoppers can note that UMW Toyota Motor will continue to offer the older, IMV ladder-frame Toyota Innova alongside – and those 8- and 7-seaters start from RM 133,880 (2.0 G) and RM 141,880 (2.0 X) respectively.

2023 Toyota Innova Zenix specs in Malaysia

Today's Innova Zenix is a wholly different beast. Now spun from the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-C) platform – similar to the Corolla Cross – the unibody-construction people mover not only ups the ante in terms of tech, but in sheer size too. It's wheelbase is a 100 mm longer than the old CG Innova's as well.

Notable improvements (or just good points in general) are the Innova Zenix's rather tight turning radius of 5.67 metres, a ground clearance of 185 mm, and it's up to 170 kg slimmer than the ol' IMV Innova.

Naturally, comparisons will be drawn towards the new Proton X90 (RM 13k seperates the top-spec Flagship and the Innova Zenix 2.0 V). In that respect, the Proton is just marginally larger: 70 mm longer, 50 mm wider, but 31 mm shorter.

Also read: Review: 2023 Proton X90 in Malaysia; Not the finest hour it could've been

On the the powertrain, the Innova Zenix comes with a choice of two Dynamic Force 2.0-litre mills: one without electrification, and in keeping with the company's greater multi-pathway directive, a full-hybrid for the range-topper. Specs are as follows:

Keen observers may note that this is the same engine that's in the Harrier we have here, plus it's also the first car to receive Toyota's 5th gen hybrid system in Malaysia: the Corolla Cross Hybrid runs on the 4th-gen.

Also read: Every bit helps: How Toyota's multi-pathway approach can help Malaysia decarbonise

Besides that, both mills come with D4-S (direct & port injection). Thermal efficiency - the amount of energy an engine can extract from fuel - is best-in-class, recording 40% for the regular engine and only bettered by the hybrid car's 41%. By the way, both cars share a 52-litre petrol tank.

Exterior

Both variants are almost equal when it comes to their features, and in one place where things are identical is on the outside. Automatic LED projector headlamps adorned with LED daytime running lights (DRL) start things off up front, and at the sides you have 18-inch wheels wrapped in 225/50 profile tyres.

Completing the outside look are LED rear tail lamps and LED fog lights. Five colour choices for buyers too, ranging from Metallic Gray, Attitude Black (with mica finish), Avantgarde Bronze, Silver, and Platinum White Pearl. Fleet customers can opt for a solid Super White finish.

Interior

The deviance between the 2.0 V and 2.0 HEV is the presence of a panoramic sunroof and captain seat second-row layout; both reserved for the pricier car. The Hybrid variant then is a 7-seater, while the V is an 8-seater.

The rest, as follows, are equal. Note too the flat floor; made possible by the new platform and ensures a better use of space and more comfort.

Also read: Exclusive: Toyota's new President, Koji Sato speaks to us on the future of racing, carbon neutrality, and more

Both cars are decked out with leather seats (power adjustable up front), automatic front and rear air-conditioning, electrochromic rear-view mirror, ceiling illumination, and a smattering of USB ports for smartphone charging.

Behind the tilt-and-telescopic adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel are paddle shifters, and beyond that drivers will find a 7-inch coloured digital screen, flanked by two analogue dials.

Infotainment is handled by a 10.1-inch touchscreen that comes with wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, and pipes your bangin' tunes through a 4 speaker, 2 tweeter set up.

Safety

Standard on both variants is the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 active safety suite, coming with these features:

• Auto High Beam (AHB)
• Road Sign Assist (RSA)
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
• Pre-Collision System (PCS)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC, full speed)

A new camera sensor and milimetre-wave radar sensor expands TSS' capabilities; Toyota says there's greater detection range now, better forward detection that can 'see' approximately two times further than previous systems, and improved detection of obstacles closer to the sensor.

TSS updates also encapsulate its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, in which it can now detect vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists right ahead and at intersections. The RSA and DRCC combo both deserve a word; the pair can integrate and override the set cruising speed if a new speed limit is detected.

Also read: Toyota is quietly showing how everyone is missing the point about carbon neutrality

For example, if the driver has set 110 km/h and the vehicle is cruising at that speed, it can automatically reduce speed to 90 km/h when the system detects a 90 km/h speed limit sign ahead.

Other safety features encapsulate: 

• 6 airbags
• 360 camera
• ISOFIX points
• Front and rear disc brakes
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane tracing assist (LTA)
• Vehicle stability control (VSC)
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert (BSM, RCTA)

Aftersales and warranty

Par for the course of all other UMW Toyota Motor models, the Toyota Innova Zenix comes with a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage. The factory warranty is transferable to the next owner if it's still in effect when sold off.

The hybrid battery pack, meanwhile has a seperate 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which also includes warranty for the inverter and power management control ECU.

Test drive the all-new Zenix at a Toyota showroom near you and receive a test drive gift, while stocks last, during the Toyota Showroom Weekender happening nationwide on 23- to 25-June 2023.