Last night, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) launched the 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix virtually. Two variants are offered and both are fully imported (CBU) from Indonesia and are priced at:

• Innova Zenix 2.0 V – RM 165,000
• Innova Zenix 2.0 Hybrid – RM 202,000

The prices shown are for Peninsular Malaysia, on-the-road, and exclude insurance but let’s not talk about the monetary value for a moment and focus on what are the differences between both variants.

Powertrain

We’ll start with the most obvious difference based on this article’s title. Both variants of the Innova Zenix are powered by Toyota’s range of Dynamic Force engines. The 2.0 V is powered by a naturally-aspirated M20A-FKS engine that makes 174 PS and 205 Nm which is mated to a CVT automatic.

The more expensive variant of the two, the Innova Hybrid, is powered by the latest 5th generation of the Toyota Hybrid Electric System. This is the first Toyota model in Malaysia to be fitted with the newest generation of the hybrid system as the Corolla Cross Hybrid runs on the older 4th generation.

Also read: Toyota Innova Zenix Hybrid is Indonesia's best-selling hybrid vehicle in May 2023

Some improvements on the 5th-gen hybrid over its predecessor include more compact and lighter hardware which translates into better driving performance and even lower fuel consumption.

Also read: New 2023 Toyota Corolla Altis facelift launched in China with a more efficient hybrid engine

The series-parallel hybrid system is powered by a combination of a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre M20A-FXS Atkinson cycle engine with an electric motor. Together, the hybrid powerplant makes 186 PS and is paired with an e-CVT automatic transmission.

While fuel consumption figures have not been released yet, some sources have claimed that the  2.0 V petrol does 6.7L/100 km while the 2.0 Hybrid does 4.6L/100 km​​​​​​.

Exterior and interior

Place both variants of the Innova Zenix and you can’t find much of a difference between the two from the outside. Aside from the Hybrid badge on the higher variant, the Malaysian-spec Innova Zenix comes with LED headlights and taillights as well as 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 225/50 rubbers as standard.

It’s the inside where you will easily find a more notable differentiator between the two variants. The petrol-powered variant comes with a 7-seater configuration with a bench seat in the middle row while the hybrid variant comes with 6 seats with the middle row being occupied by a pair of captain chairs.

Also only available on the Innova Zenix Hybrid is a panoramic sunroof. Besides these two features, both variants share the same features with the following as standard:

• Black leather seats
• Power tailgate
• Automatic A/C
• 7-inch colour TFT MID
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
• 3D panoramic view monitor

Both variants of the Toyota Innova Zenix in Malaysia also come with a comprehensive safety kit including 6 airbags, blind-spot monitors, as well as the latest generation of Toyota’s proprietary ADAS suite, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) which includes:

• Pre-Collision Warning (PCW)
• Pre-Collision Braking (PCB)
• Pre-Collision Brake Assist (PCBA)
• Intersection Collision Avoidance Support
• Emergency Steering Assist (ESA)
• Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Full Speed Range
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA)
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)

Which variant to get?

Considering both variants have the same features apart from the engine, seating configuration, and panoramic sunroof, it really depends on what you really want in an Innova Zenix.

Aside from being the choice for those who want to experience Toyota’s proven hybrid technology, the hybrid variant is also more for those who would really utilize those pair of captain chairs.

However, considering both variants come with similar features, the hybrid's price is also perhaps too steep for some buyers. Unless those buyers plan to cover really high mileage (double the average Malaysians' 20,000 km annual mileage) or if the fuel subsidy goes away, then the hybrid would make some sense.

Otherwise, if you’re a family that wants a practical and modern Toyota MPV with an official warranty, the 7-seater Innova Zenix 2.0V petrol variant suits well as it provides a lot of value for money. Besides, for families with smaller children, the petrol variant's bench seats provide easier reach for a child seat over the captain chairs.

Also read: All-new CBU 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix launched in Malaysia: priced from RM 165k, 2.0 Dynamic Force, hybrid, TSS