UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has confirmed that it has two more models to launch this year. In a press statement released by its parent company UMW Group regarding its automotive division’s April 2023 sales performance, it was also said that “UMWT expects demand and sales to be sustained throughout the year, supported by the introduction of new and facelift models.”

The new model is clearly referring to the 2023 Toyota Innova, which in some markets like Indonesia, is marketed as the Innova Zenix.

UMWT has also previously confirmed that it will be launching another hybrid model, a follow-up to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

All signs point to the Innova Hybrid, which unlike the 1.8-litre Corolla Cross Hybrid, is powered by a bigger capacity and newer 2.0-litre M20A-FXS Dynamic Force engine. The engine alone makes 152 PS/187 Nm, boosted by a 113 PS / 206 Nm electric motor.

Unlike the mild-hybrid Proton X90, the Toyota is a full-hybrid, which means that it can accelerate from standstill in electric power alone, so urban stop-go driving is a lot smoother as the engine doesn't need to cut in-out as often.

Unlike the previous truck-like rear-wheel-drive IMV ladder frame chassis model, this new generation 2023 Toyota Innova is front-wheel drive, riding on the same monocoque TNGA-C platform as the Toyota Corolla Cross.

The transition to front-wheel drive and monocoque chassis will translate to lower fuel consumption and a more comfortable ride, at the expense of heavy duty load carrying across rough roads – something which no Innova owner in Malaysia will care to do.

The three-row seat MPV has also adopted some very strong SUV-esque styling, blurring the lines between MPV and SUV.

The outgoing generation Toyota Innova sells for RM 133,880 for the entry 8-seater 2.0G variant (2+3+3 seats), while the 7-seater 2.0X variant (2+2+3 seats) sells for RM 141,880. It’s locally assembled (CKD) at the older Shah Alam plant (Corolla Cross is built at the newer Bukit Raja plant).

The new generation model will certainly be more expensive, even more so if it’s a hybrid.

The second model to be launched will most likely be the facelift 2023 Toyota Yaris. Although the Toyota Vios has been replaced with an all-new model, its sister-car the Toyota Yaris will soldier on for a few more years.

This nip-and-tuck facelift exercise is a stop-gap measure to hold off the Honda City Hatchback, until a new DNGA platform model developed by Daihatsu joins the local line-up.

The current Toyota Yaris sells for RM 83,300 for the entry 1.5E variant and RM 87,600 for the 1.5G variant.