Toyota Innova HYCROSS Name Registered In India: Could This Be The Hybrid Innova?

The recently registered Innova Hycross nameplate could be used for the upcoming hybrid version of the Toyota Innova MPV.

Speaking about the Toyota Innova, the MPV was first introduced back in 2004 as a replacement for the ageing Toyota Qualis. Despite being drastically different to the Toyota Qualis MPV, the Toyota Innova quickly gained market share.

One of the reasons for the success of the Innova in India could be credited to its ride quality and bullet-proof reliability.

In 2015, the second-generation Toyota Innova, christened 'Innova Crysta' was launched in India. This model featured more powerful engine options and came with a much more premium-looking exterior and interior.

Given the hybrid nature of the MPV, it is likely that the upcoming Toyota Innova Hycross may feature an all-new platform to accommodate the hybrid powertrain that will include a large battery pack and a powerful electric motor.

Apart from that, judging from the spy shots, the upcoming Toyota Innova Hycross seems to be very different to the current Innova Crysta. Also, we expect a major overhaul in the interior design and layout of the upcoming Innova Hycross compared to the Innova Crysta.

At present, the current version of the Innova Crysta MPV comes with two choices of powertrains. The first option is a 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine and the second option is a 2.7-litre petrol engine.

We expect, the upcoming 2023 Innova Hycross to be powered by a more potent version of the 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid powertrain that will power the Toyota's upcoming mid-size SUV that will rival the like of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.

Speaking about this engine, it is the same engine that powers the Toyota Yaris hatchback and Yaris Cross. In the Yaris duo, the 1.5-litre ICE and the electric motor together produce 113.5bhp of peak power, whereas the peak torque generated by the ICE stands at 120Nm and the electric motor produces slightly more torque at 141Nm.

Given the lower output of this powertrain, there is also a chance that the upcoming Innova Hycross could opt for the tried-and-tested 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle, Hybrid powertrain from the Toyota Camry.

This 2.5-litre engine in the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan produces peak power of 175.5bhp and this engine is further boosted by a 160kW electric motor and in combined form, this powertrain produces 215bhp of peak power.

In addition to this, Toyota has also released the 'Hum Hai Hybrid' campaign in India to promote hybrid vehicles in the country and this campaign aims to lay the foundation for Toyota's upcoming hybrid SUV.

Thoughts About Toyota Innova Hycross

The upcoming Toyota Innova Hycross will be a crucial product for Toyota in India as the upcoming MPV may completely ditch the diesel powertrains in favour of petrol-hybrid units.

Moreover, given the hybrid powertrain, we expect a significant bump in the prices of the Innova Hycross.