“Toyota Kirloskar Motor Introduces Innova Crysta GX+ as a New Standard Grade.” This was the heading of Toyota’s official press release, announcing the introduction of the new Innova Crysta variant. But, the press release also mentioned that “the Innova Crysta is now available in five grades of Diesel Manual Transmission,” which implies that until now, the Innova Crysta was available in four grades—G, GX, VX, and ZX—and the addition of GX+ brings that number to five, right? So what’s the issue, you ask?
The issue is in calling it a new “standard” grade. A standard grade/trim/variant is generally the base variant of a vehicle, which in this case happens to be the G, or, if the G variant is discontinued (Toyota’s price list on their website shows the G as “not available” in Delhi and Bangalore), then it would be the GX, and not the GX+. I asked Toyota about it, but couldn’t get any answers by the time this story was filed.
And this wasn’t the only question I asked them. Since the press release also subtly stated that “…the vehicle ensures an improved suspension with pitch and bounce control, keeping cabin movement to a minimum…” I wanted to know when exactly did this (the “improvement” in suspension) happen, and what all suspension components have been revised.
I will address both these things in the review of the Innova Crysta, as and when I get to test it. Right now, I’ll tell you what Toyota claims are the new features of the GX+.
Exterior
The most noticeable change on the outside comprises the diamond-cut alloy wheels. Toyota hasn’t mentioned the size, but they should be 16-inchers with 205/65 section radials like on the GX and VX. Toyota also says that a silver surround piano black grille also distinguishes the GX+ from other variants. And, well, these are the two changes on the exterior of the Innova Crysta GX+. Everything else remains the same. It’s available in five colours: Super White, Attitude Black Mica, Avant-Garde Bronze Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Silver Metallic.
Interiors
This is where the MPV sees the majority of changes. Toyota says that the GX+ gets 14 additional features (including the aforementioned new alloys and grill), but they haven’t listed all 14 of them. Nonetheless, the GX+ comes with a rear camera, auto-fold mirrors, DVR, wooden panels, and premium fabric seats. Again, if I am not wrong, even the GX comes with a rear camera and auto-fold mirrors so I don’t know what’s “new” about these features.
Engine & Gearbox
There are no changes here as the GX+ is a grade addition and not a new model. Therefore, you still get the tried-and-tested, utterly reliable, 2.4 L diesel with a five-speed manual gearbox. A torque converter is nowhere to be seen. You want an automatic? Get the Innova Hycross.
Safety
Features like Antilock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control, and Hill-Start Assist are standard across all variants, but Toyota hasn’t specified the number of airbags the GX+ gets. I am assuming that it has three like in the G and GX, and not seven like in the VX and ZX.
Price
The GX+, like all other grades, except the ZX, is available in both seven- and eight-seat versions (the ZX is available only as a seven seater). The seven seater GX+ has been priced at INR 21,39,000 (ex-showroom) while spending just five thousand rupees more will get you the eight seater GX+.
Interestingly, both the seven- and eight-seat versions of the GX are priced at INR 19,99,000 (ex-showroom) each.
However, a good news for private owners who’d want their Crystas to be a bit more exclusive than the ones with yellow number plates—unlike the GX, the GX+ doesn’t have any FLT (fleet) versions.
Warranty & other Value Added Services
Like the other variants, the Innova Crysta GX+ also gets a standard warranty of three years/1,00,000 km, which can be extended to five years/2,20,000 km at an additional cost. You also get Toyota’s newly introduced 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance, while finance options include Toyota Smart finance (Balloon Finance), low EMI, 7-year schemes, and pre-approved funding for value added services.
What I like the most, however, is Toyota’s recently launched “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution” that extends vehicle logistic services till delivery touchpoints by eliminating possible drive down of new cars by the dealer staff to the delivery location.
This will enable Toyota dealers to transport new vehicles from dealer stockyards to their
sales outlets on a flatbed truck. So, yes, a genuine single digit odometer reading on your new Innova could finally
be a possibility.