Toyota Innova Crysta : My cousin Rahul bit the bullet and purchased the car that he had been eyeing for years – Toyota Innova Crysta – last month.
“It’s not just buying a car,” he said over chai, “it’s more like adding a family member.”
I recently accompanied him for a weekend adventure: a Mumbai to Goa return journey of almost 600 kilometers, involving drifty expressways and shattered village roads, and I know exactly what he meant.
The Innova has been India’s most-loved people-mover for more than 15 years now, but this crustacea version takes this trusted recipe and adds dollop of sophistication that older generations were missing out on.
Like the unassuming friend who unexpectedly showed up at the reunion in Gucci, you know?
Toyota Innova Crysta The Outside: No Longer Just a “Taxi”
Let’s get this out of the system first – The Innova for years has been marred by the negative image of being an “airport taxi”. But this Crysta wears none of that utilitarian look.
The aggressive chrome accented front grill lends it almost a premium like SUV’s stance. At one such stopover near Chiplun, I saw other tourists mistaking it for a pricier SUV.
The dynamic LED headlamps are more than just show – they threw up good light around the tight corners of night ghats as we motored back down.
(Another friend of mine, Vijay, has a last-gen Innova, and he couldn’t stop talking about how much better the lighting now is.)
What really got me, though, was the attention to the little things — character lines down the side of the car (as small as they are), door handles that feel chrome and substantial at the touch, and the not-horrendous alloy wheel design that doesn’t scream out “family car.”
Toyota has succeeded in, essentially, building a minivan that you wouldn’t be ashamed to valet park at a five-star hotel.
Toyota Innova Crysta Interior: Where the Magic Is
Open the door, and the transition from workaday to upscale is just as clear.
My uncle has a bad back from years of driving hundreds of different cars, and after 5 hours in the passenger captains chair, not a single complaint. “It seems like someone actually sat in these seats before making them,” he said.
The cabin does this amazing job of compressing distance. We had an extra-ick 2 hours of traffic (near Panvel) on our way, but even that didn’t turn anyone cranky — which is odd for my family.
A three-zone climate control system allowed everyone in the last row to zone in on their own comfort, while superb sound insulation let us actually have conversations without yelling.
Noteworthy are the materials employed in the cabin. Soft-touch dashboard, real leather upholstery (on higher-spec models) and faux wood pattern trim help create an ambiance befitting of a more premium price level.
Even after a long trek of 600km, the cabin remained fresh – there wasn’t any scuffing or visible wear as you typically get with lower-durability interiors.
Toyota Innova Crysta The Long-Distance Performer
Now, this is where the Innova Crysta really lives up to its title as the king of long-haulers.
It’s not just about the figures though (172 PS/360 Nm), it’s about how easy it is for the 2.4-liter diesel engine to deliver that power.
It was never too much of a struggle to scale Kumbhe Ghat and the engine never felt strained, even with seven bodies and luggage.
THE SUSPENSION SETUP is perhaps THE CRYSTA’s UNSUNG HERO. It’s weird in that it’s plush but not so soft – not so squishy that it allows a lot of roll.
That this included a seven-year-old nephew who is prone to carsickness but made the entire trip without even a mutter, also in the back, descended as minor miracle, his parents tell me.
Fuel consumption, an increasingly important consideration for any big vehicle, also surprised us though with its 14.2 km/l average (laden with family and sometimes a thrash) over our time away.
We didn’t have to refuel the 55 litres of diesel at all, considering we got to Goa and back to Mumbai without having to fill up, plus additional fuel left in the tank.
Toyota Innova Crysta Small Things Can Be a Big Deal on Expensive Trips
After living with the Innova Crysta for three days, I observed some of the small details, which do make a long journey that much simpler:
The talkback mirror allows the driver to check on rear passengers without turning around, especially when there are kids involved. On our way, this helped nab my nephew before he upended his juice box.
With multiple charging ports (USB and 12V) no-one ran out of charge on the journey. This would put an end in today’s world to the dreaded “my phone is dying” dilemma that can tear up family unity.
Hours in the direct Konkan sun later, our water bottles and snacks in the cooled glovebox were still refreshing. It’s little details like this that you don’t appreciate until you’re in the 400th km of a ride.
The driver information display offers real-time efficiency, which gamified fuel economy. My cousin started optimizing his driving to optimize the numbers and it actually started to improve things a bit.
Toyota Innova Crysta Beyond the Highway
It is on highways that the Innova Crysta really shows its class, we had detours planned to a few remote, off-beat beaches around Ganapatipule and the terrain here dictated narrow, mountainous road ways with undulating patches.
The ground clearance of 181mm did not feel short at any given point, even while tackling some small sandy patches.
The 360-degree camera came in handy when parking in busier tourist areas with tight spaces. This is a small vehicle and is incredibly nimble, even in tight spaces.
Toyota Innova Crysta Real Ownership Experience
Above is what my cousin has done in six months “in the shadows of owning the car” and I do vouch for his reliability recorded Innova!
The first service was slightly less than ₹5,000 – not a bad price for a car in this price range.
“The killer feature is peace of mind,” he said. “If I make a long journey, I never worry about the car having trouble.”
This confidence may be the Innova Crysta’s best selling point – but it’s not one on a brochure, it’s due to the Toyota badge.
Toyota Innova Crysta The Verdict
Having driven and being transported in the Innova Crysta over different types of roads, I’d say it lives up to its claim of being the ideal tourer.
It isn’t the most affordable offering in the category, priced at between ₹18.9 and 26.5 lakh (ex-showroom), but the premium you pay for the experience is justified.
The strength of the Crysta isn’t any one thing, it’s how everything comes together and creates a vehicle that makes distances melt away and means you can do long runs without your occupants feeling like they’ve been in a washing machine.
Whatever the case, in a nation where road conditions can vary significantly and family travel usually involves three generations, the Innova Crysta truly deserves its title of the king of tours.
While gearheads may decry the loss of that pure, no-nonsense character that made it a hit with taxis and fleets, for others, who simply want an easier commute, the Crysta seems to have struck gold with just the right amount of comfort, without making us pine for just a hint of luxury to make the ride more palatable.
Or as my cousin put it, while we chugged beers and let the sunset marinate at Goa’s Morjim Beach after our more than half-day drive: “Some cars get you there, but the Innova Crysta makes sure you enjoy the journey.”
FAQ
Q: What is the actual mileage of Innova Crysta on long tours?
A: In actual world with total load, you can expect around 13-15 km/l on highways if you go with diesel option. You get around 10-11 km/l in city driving.
Q: How do you find the third row for adults during long trips?
A: Adults that are up to 5’8” tall can sit comfortably in the third row for 2-3 hours at a time. It’s ideal for kids and shorter adults for the longer rides.
Q: With all of the seats in use, what is the capacity in regard to luggage?
A: With all 3 rows up, you can probably fit 3-4 medium sized suitcases. Folding the back row produces ample luggage room for long trips.
Q: What is the petrol model like for touring, as opposed to diesel?
A: The diesel version is the best for long rides as it produces better torque and fuel economy. The petrol unit is silkier and more raucous in nature and is around 25-30% thirstier.
Q: How often does service need to be done and what’s the average cost?
A: Service is at every 10 000 km or 6 months. General services will be in a range of ₹5,000-10,000, major service (40,000km) will set you back by ₹15,000-20,000.
Q: OK, does any dirty laundry come out when owners tell their stories?
A: There aren’t a lot of trends, but some owners have reported squeaking from the rear suspension in early miles, well before 30,00