At the ongoing Auto Expo, Toyota showcased the Land Cruiser 300 SUV and the recently launched Innova Hycross. The Land Cruiser is only available with a diesel engine and takes on the likes of the Range Rover and the Lexus LX. The Hycross, on the other hand, gets strong hybrid and naturally aspirated petrol engine options and rivals the likes of the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari.
- Toyota Land Cruiser available solely in diesel
- Innova Hycross Hybrid has 23.24kpl claimed fuel efficiency
Toyota Land Cruiser 300: what’s new?
The Land Cruiser 300 is the first all-new Land Cruiser in nearly 14 years. Toyota has redesigned it extensively but it doesn’t stray too far from the outgoing Land Cruiser 200. Key changes include the new and large grille, squared-off wheel arches and notable kinks in the A- and D-pillars.
The changes are much more comprehensive on the inside, with the Land Cruiser 300 getting a completely new design for the dashboard. It is well equipped with features like head-up display, premium sound system, ioniser and even a fingerprint authentication system.
For the new generation of its iconic SUV, Toyota has adopted the new GA-F platform that is based on TNGA, while retaining the body-on-frame structure which has been a key selling point for the Land Cruiser model.
The India-spec Land Cruiser gets just a single engine – a 3.3-litre turbo V6 diesel engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Internationally, the Land Cruiser is also available with a petrol V6 engine.
Toyota Innova Hycross: first Innova with monocoque construction
Toyota recently launched the Innova Hycross at a price range of Rs 18.30 lakh-28.97 lakh. While previous iterations of the Innova were based on the ladder-frame construction, the Hycross is based on a monocoque set up. Also, Toyota has ditched the diesel in favour of a strong-hybrid, which the carmaker claims can deliver a claimed fuel-efficiency figure of 23.24kpl. The 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain makes a combined output of 186hp and is paired to an e-drive transmission.
Additionally Toyota is also offering a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that makes 172hp and 205Nm and is mated to a CVT gearbox.
The new Hycross carries a more SUV-like design, especially from the front, with a large and upright grille, and a high bonnet line. Speaking of dimensions, the Hycross is marginally longer and wider than the Crysta, and has a 100mm longer wheelbase. On the inside, the Hycross features a multi-layered dashboard with the 10.1-inch screen taking the centre stage. The Hycross comes in five variants, with higher-end ones getting equipment like ventilated seats, paddle shifters, memory function for the driver’s seats and ADAS.
The Auto Expo is the first time Toyota showcased the lower variants of the Innova Hycross. Also, the carmaker displayed the variants with the naturally aspirated petrol engine.
Also see:
Auto Expo 2023 image gallery