Indonesia’s de facto national car, the Toyota Innova has been crowned the country’s best-selling car of 2023 with 66,459 units sold according to Gaikindo’s sales report. This is followed by the Toyota Avanza (62,275 units) and the Honda Brio (62,008 units). There is a disclaimer for the Innova’s sales figures though as it combined the numbers of both the outgoing rear-wheel drive (RWD) Innova which is only available with a diesel powerplant, and its front-wheel drive (FWD) successor. The FWD Inn
Jan 22, 2024
Whatever car you choose, and despite all the tech that's loaded into them, your decision ultimately rests on what's under the hood. Performance and fuel efficiency are usually right up there in the Malaysian buyer's decision making matrix, and the engine that provides these must also be very reliable. Better yet if it's not a hassle to maintain. Best if it could also hedge against next year's increasing fuel prices. A tough ask for manufacturers, so usually it's a balance between two or three of
Dec 26, 2023
There’s a post on social media that made rounds within this writer’s circle discussing the interview with Tetsuya Tada, the Chief Engineer responsible for the Toyota 86/BRZ and GR Supra projects, in which he spoke to Japanese car magazine WebCG. Tada said that there’s no such thing as a perfect car, and that the primary factor to consider is whether you regard a car as an object of passion or a practical tool. No car can serve both roles without compromises as the qualities required for each pur
Nov 2, 2023
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has unveiled a prototype of a Toyota Innova Hycross (known as the Innova Zenix in Malaysia) that runs on an electrified biofuel powertrain, earning it the Strong Hybrid Electrified Vehicle (SHEV) suffix. The MPV will run on ethanol, that can either be derived from sugarcane and food grain, or plant waste and residues that would've otherwise be disposed. Paired to that is a hybrid system which runs off a ~1.3 - 1.5 kWhr lithium-ion battery. Output wasn't shared just y
Sep 4, 2023
To say it was a success for Toyota’s sales department during the recently held Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show or GIIAS 2023 event would be an understatement. PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), the holders of the brand across the Straits of Malacca, claims to have collected 5,796 bookings. However, the highlight would have to be that over 80 percent of Toyota Yaris Cross and Kijang Innova Zenix buyers opted for the hybrid variants. GIIAS 2023 was held from 10-20 August 2023 and many of Toyo
Aug 29, 2023
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) has just released its production data for export markets in the first half of 2023 (H1 2023) which saw 139,581 units being made at its plants all over the archipelago. Toyota alone contributed 52.6% of the total figure of export production models in Indonesia during H1 2023. Based on Gaikindo’s data, a total of 248,004 units of completely built-up (CBU) vehicles were exported from Indonesia. TMMIN doesn’t have the data for individual models but the mo
Aug 2, 2023
Better late than never, our northern neighbours Thailand has finally seen the all-new 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix Hybrid launched there in 2 variants and with prices starting from 1,379,000 baht (~RM 185,100). However, unlike Malaysia, only the hybrid powertrain will be offered in Thailand. Just like the Malaysian market, the Thai Innova will be imported from Indonesia as well. The 2 variants available there is as follows: 2.0 HEV Smart 1,379,000 baht (~RM 185,100) 2.0 HEV Premium 1,479,000 baht (~
Jul 20, 2023
In case you missed it, the all-new 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix has been launched in Malaysia. Prices for the fully imported (CBU) Innova Zenix start from RM 165,000 to RM 202,000 for the 2.0 V variant and Hybrid (2.0 HEV) variant respectively. Being fully imported from Indonesia, the Toyota Innova Zenix is subjected to the maximum applicable excise tax. And due to our duty structure, which relies on formulas tied to engine capacity, the naturally aspirated Innova Zenix (with a 2.0-litre engine) is
Jun 22, 2023
The 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix has officially been launched in Malaysia, replacing the (AN140) 8-seater Toyota Innova, first launched in 2016. Sporting a macho new design, the Innova Zenix features an entirely new (TNGA-C) platform, doing away with the ladder frame featured in all its predecessors; and for the first time also, a 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain. Also read: All-new CBU 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix launched in Malaysia: priced from RM 165k, 2.0 Dynamic Force, hybrid, TSS Given its new design
Jun 22, 2023
Last night, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) launched the 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix virtually. Two variants are offered and both are fully imported (CBU) from Indonesia and are priced at: Innova Zenix 2.0 V – RM 165,000 Innova Zenix 2.0 Hybrid – RM 202,000 The prices shown are for Peninsular Malaysia, on-the-road, and exclude insurance but let’s not talk about the monetary value for a moment and focus on what are the differences between both variants. Powertrain We’ll start with the most obvious differenc
Jun 22, 2023
Honda HR-V
Perodua Alza
Honda City
Honda City Hatchback
Toyota Yaris