Toyota’s Surprise At IIMS 2022 Is An All-electric Innova

• Closed-off front grille, tweaked bumper, new alloy wheels, blue decals and blue inserts make up the styling changes.

• Largely identical cabin, but with new colours for the MID, and EV-specific information on the infotainment system.

• Aside from it being an all-electric model, technical specifications are yet to surface.

With the trend in the automotive industry being electrification, the folks at Toyota have pulled off a surprise in the form of an all-electric Innova. That being said, it broke cover in concept form at the ongoing 2022 Indonesia International Motor Show which will run from March 31 to April 10. 

First impressions clearly tell that the Innova EV concept is based on the current-gen Innova Crysta. Sure, the overall design looks nearly identical, but the electric MPV does get its own identity thanks to a completely closed off front grille, with the front bumper slightly altered. Aside from a new set of alloy wheels, blue decals, blue accents on the headlights and tail lamps, as well as a dedicated ‘Electric’ badge denoting its EV credentials.

Head inside, and the similarities in the Innova EV to its ICE counterpart continue with the three-spoke steering wheel, 8-inch infotainment system and MID pretty much as is. Look closer though, and the MID has new colours, and the infotainment unit displaying EV-specific information like the power output, range and battery level.

The big change in the Innova EV will obviously be the internal combustion engine being swapped out for an all-electric powertrain. Unfortunately Toyota kept a lid on the detailed specifications for it. But we think it’ll be a potent offering not only in performance, but also range.

Sure it’s just a conceptualisation of what Toyota can do to keep the MPV alive, but it offers a nice preview of what’s to come considering it looks largely production-ready. Back in India, the standard Innova Crysta retails from Rs 17.30 lakh to Rs 25.32 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). While there’s no word on when we’ll see an electric Innova on Indian shores, a test mule was spotted, hinting at a C-segment MPV slotting below the Innova Crysta that is expected to show up by 2023 as a Kia Carens rival.