2006 Toyota Innova

It seems there is hardly any demand for the lower versions with black bumpers etc. Most of the demand is for higher leather clad versions. Toyota is adjusting production for the same. Also, the target of 4000 per month is falling a ’little’ short but not much of a worry. Overall Innova seems to be a big success!

This review is based on the initial impressions. I have driven a lot of Toyota cars/vans over the years mostly in USA. This includes Camry, Corolla, Avalon, Sienna minivan, Tercel, Lexus ES300 etc. Toyota uses quite a bit of components common across the cars say Cruise Control & Air Conditioning switches. Their engines are also based on similar technologies & somewhat predictable. There is certain Toyota feel of soft & quiet ride that comes with every car except say last generation Lexus IS300 (BMW 3-Series competitor) .

Personally, Iregard Honda better for reasons like Engine-expertise, sporty inclinations & doing the things hard-way (check my review on Toyota’s Camry where I compared it with Honda’s Accord). Also Honda have had a great presentation in Formula-1 which Toyota has just recently started participation (and doing great there too: Ralf Schumakar).

Toyota knows the Auto business as none other manufacturer : They are not the most profitable automaker for nothing. There is hardly a decision or strategy that hasn’t worked for them. One of the most shrewd & dynamic automakers Toyota has no match for it size, equity, market perception about reliability & resale values & overall brand recognition. They made Lexus one of the top 3 Luxury makers within a decade, it enjoys as much prestige as Benz & BMW now! --> Simply Amazing!

Let us come now to Indian market . Toyota introduced Qualis a few years back for mass-Indian market where it gave a formidable competition to Sumo & Bolero etc. It quickly became the best seller due to reliability, quiet/plush ride & smooth power delivery. However, it was a generation or two back from other Asian markets.

Toyota is now introducing 2 generation advanced Qualis with the name of Innova . VERY difficult to believe what can happen to a car within 2 generations. India gets even with other markets & gets a vehicle which could put some Benz models to shame w.r.t quality, refinement if not driving dynamics. Innova would sell almost 100% to private owners & not commercial (90%) purpose like Qualis.

The most significant factor is that the Innova despite quality interiors (expensive plastic), modern design with great drive-train is cheaper to produce than Qualis --> Just impossible to believe! I think they should have continued with old Qualis in the commercial segment. Now used Qualis would get great resale values & also Tata Sumo & Mahindra would have some breather. They got killed by Qualis.

Let us check now Innova is all about :

Styling
Although derivative of the Sienna minivan (Extra-large if it were in India!) the styling will make all the critics of Qualis silent. It is aerodynamic with good stylish sheet-metal & looks BIG in person. The color availability also seems to be great. The front styling is quite attractive with rear sort of just fine. The clear-lense head-lamps also lend a touch of character to the nose. The front bumper integrates with the nose just too well. The roof as a slight slope as it goes into the conventional, almost boring, rear-end! The sedan-like doors (unlike minivan sliding ones) also give a touch of class & better image although sliders are more useful. But I guess the styling is not as stylish as say a person spending 10 lac would want it to be.

Interior
There a is lot of room for 7 passengers but comfortable for 6 I think. The material quality is absolutely wonderful. The audio system is also class leading & an imp thing for the family vehicles like Innova. The plastic quality need not be repeated it is almost Octavia quality & two tone dash makes it more Lexus than Toyota like.

Engine & Transmission
Innova is launched with both Petrol & Diesel engine. The 2 liter petrol engine produces 130+ hp but it won’t be much economical in my opinion due to the high kerb weight of this vehicles. The diesel engine (CRDi) provides 100+ hp & more importantly around 140 lb-ft of torque with is important for bottom end! Both the engines run on a 5 speed transmission matching the power curve of the engines. The transmission should be typical Toyota, butter smooth & durable. I hope they provide automatic transmission in a reasonable price. Both the engines meet the pollution norms that are going to be in effect from April 2005.

Innova is a rear-drive vehicle like Qualis and also a body on frame design -- not car based & front wheel drive like minivans in USA.

Ride & Handling
I suggest everyone wanting to own this vehicle to drive in the city traffic, specially in Pune this vehicle might drive you nuts with BIG turning circe, parking space and blind spots due to big pillars all around! It is quite a test to drive this vehicle in the city. In my opinion it is better suited to long journeys with high straight stretches. Innova is worse than Qualis in this regard as Qualis though big and boxy provided better view outside with its wind-shield and bonnet (hood). The ride is quite good but again it is no Ford Ikon. Although, you would feel better than driving a Sumo for sure.

Unles you have to carry a bog family at every occasion (movie, shopping etc) this vehicle could be a liability is Pune-like traffic.

Economy, Pricing
The petrol engine would give around 8-9 Kmpl & the diesel should give 10-12 kmpl in real worked conditions. However I believe people are in for a surprise with the fuel efficiency, I do not think that 1700+Kg vehicle can give good fuel economy, specially on Petrol engine ! !

On the highways it might improve by 2 kmpl. The pricing depending on the options & the engine (diesel more expensive) is from 6.5 to 9+ lac. Which is not too bad as compared to Corolla but quite expensive once you check out Tavera. It also goes into Safari territory!

Conclusion
Overall, there is hardly any car out there like Innova, highly polished and comfortable. However this is not for the people who like to drive, even the Corolla doesn’t provide great handling. However, this is a nice, big family car and you won’t be disappointed at all. The only question I have is when I see one on overcrowded Pune roads is that how the poor drivers survives with such a big vehicle! The thing is as big as it gets, with comparative poor outward visibility and difficult to find a parking slot and also fit in in there! I guess the people who afford Innova must afford a driver too! Maybe Toyota should include a free driver for 1 year in the deal! :)

Tips to Save on Car Insurance

by: Pradeep Aggarwal

We all wish to make savings in our life. Cars included. Myriad insurance companies offer varying premium rates depending on their policy coverage. So it is important that you get the best Insurance package for your car.

These tips will help you how to manage your Car Insurance budget within limits.

Making Comparisons: The costs of at least three to six insurance companies will give you a fair idea of the costs involved with different policies. Seek the advise of colleagues, friends, relatives. Besides from costs involved, the track record of the companies matter a lot.

The standing, strength and financial position of the company need to be looked into. Request for higher deductibles - It's the amount one pays prior to making any claim for the accident. The complete coverage and collision is sold along with the deductibles. The more the deductibles the less the premium rate. By increasing the deductible say from $300 to $600 will invariable reduce the cost to 20 to 35 percent.

Old Cars - Drop Collision and Comprehensive Coverage - It is better to drop the collision and comprehensive coverage if the car is worth less than 10 times your premium in the current market. One way to reduce the cost is buying the auto coverage from the existing insurance and insurance coverage from existing carrier.

No to Double Health Coverage - Avoid health coverage with auto policy provided you have enough health insurance. This is one way of reducing costs.

A Good Credit Card Record - This has multiple benefits - helps to file claims if the credit score is less. A good credit score will also help in settling the accident with the help of the company.

Low Profile Car Discount - Fancy and trendy cars with high maintenance costs higher rate and attract thieves as well. A low budget, low profile car will help a lot with insurer discounts to boost.

Mileage Counts - More discounts can be obtained by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.

Avoid double health coverage- If you think that you have enough health insurance, and then avoid health coverage with your auto policy. This will help you to reduce the cost.

Maintain a good credit record- Insurers are using the credit history while determining the price of insurance. Statistically, the lower your credit score, the more you are likely to file claims. A person with a good credit score is more likely to settle the accident without the support of the company. Try to maintain a good credit record.

Discounts with low profile car- Cars that are expensive to repair or attractive to thieves will have a higher rate. Consider buying a low profile or average car as it your insurer might come up with discounts for such a car.

Low Mileage Pays - Obtain some discount on premiums by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.

All about Group Discount - It's all about a group taking insurance plan collectively. Be it an employer, business group or associations. Check for such plans.

Safety Discount - Discounts are also offered if the car is fitted with safety items like air bag, automatic seat belts, anti lock brakes. So make safety pay for you.

Car Insurance – Some Helpful Top Tips To Keep Costs Down

by: Michael Challiner

Thanks to the stiff competition in the car insurance industry, premiums have on average stayed at the same level in recent years. With over 100 car insurers vying for your custom, competition is hot and motorists can take advantage of some good bargains. If you shop around, you will almost certainly beat the renewal quote offered by your current insurer, but 23% of motorists ignore that fact, and happily renew their motor insurance with the same company year on year.

Until recently, getting a car insurance quote meant ringing up and going through the lengthy process of providing all your personal details, not to mention the many minutes spent trying to get through to them in the first place. Now, getting a quote has been made so much easier with the advent of the internet. Some websites allow you to input your details once, and can then give you quotes from 40 or more car insurers.

However, price is not the only consideration when choosing with whom to insure your car. Make sure that you’re not going to be faced with a large excess in case of an accident, and ensure that if your car needs to be repaired, you will be given a courtesy car. You also need to consider legal insurance cover and automatic windscreen replacement, and if you do have an accident, you may find an accident helpline extremely useful! To be sure of what is and isn’t included in your cover, it’s best to ring the insurer to go through the small print.

Our Top Tips to save you money on car insurance

1. Go through a car insurance broker’s website so you can get access to quotes from 40 or more car insurers, by simply inputting your details once. When you’ve received a quotation, call them to discuss the details of the policy, and maybe even request a further discount.

2. Keep your car in the garage overnight. You will pay more in insurance for keeping your car on the road because there is more chance of your car being broken into or damaged. As a second best option, put your car on a driveway.

3. Keep on top of how many miles you do each year, if you travel less then you will save on premiums.

4. Even your choice of occupation can affect your premiums – crazy as it sounds, if you’re a landlord, journalist or professional footballer (chance would be a fine thing) you will pay more. More run of the mill occupations like accountancy and government pay less.

5. If you’re married, male and under 30, you will probably pay less than your unmarried counterparts.

6. If you’re under 25, you’ll save money on your premiums by adding someone over 25 (and under 60) with a good driving record as a named driver.

7. If you want to save on the initial costs, you could choose to have a higher excess (usually about £100). It means you’ll pay more if you have an accident and need some repairs, but it’s a risk that you could take.

8. If your car isn’t worth much, why not just get third party cover. Compare quotes for third party and fully comprehensive insurance and see the difference.

9. If you’re aged between 18 and 21 then you’ve got the option of pay as you go insurance. Norwich Union has pioneered the idea especially for younger people who find it hard to afford car insurance. You’re charged for the miles you drive, and it gets more expensive per mile between 11pm and 6am. For a one off fee of £199, your car is fitted with a Global Positioning System which communicates details of your mileage direct to Norwich Union, they then send you a monthly bill.

10. If you’ve only just passed your test, you could save money by improving your driving. Take Pass Plus lessons and you could save up to 35% on your premiums. The lessons include driving in rush hour, on the motorway and driving at night, costing £15 - £30 an hour. Visit www.passplus.org.uk for more details. Taking a course with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (www.iam.org.uk) will also reduce your premiums.

11. If you’re buying a new car then find out what insurance group it falls into before you buy. There are twenty insurance groups with 1 being the lowest and 20 the highest, so if you’re caught between two cars and one is in a lower insurance group, you’ll save money by choosing it.

12. High spec and performance cars cost more to insure because statistically speaking, there’s more chance of them being stolen or being involved in an accident. Save money by choosing something a bit less ‘racy’.

13. A speeding offence could affect your premiums. Most insurance companies will turn a blind eye to one fixed penalty fine but above that you can expect higher premiums.

14. If you’ve made it to that all-important four years of no claims, pay a bit extra to protect the discount, then it’s safe.

15. Some insurance companies will give discounts for cars with satellite navigation as it has proved to help prevent accidents by enabling motorists to concentrate on the road.

16. Having an engine immobiliser or alarm fitted could lower your premiums by 5 - 8%.

17. If you’ve got more than one car registered at your address, you can get extra savings by insuring them all in one policy.

Save Money On Young Driver Car Insurance

by: Katy Lassetter

A study recently released has revealed that the average driver in Britain will be involved in a car accident every six and a half years.

When balanced out, that equates to every individual being the victim of nine accidents during their life. It seems a truly staggering statistic, and one that most people are unlikely to walk away from without suffering an injury at some point.

Even if you manage to avoid damaging yourself in all nine accidents, the likelihood is that your car will come off slightly less healthily. And that’s why there’s such a need for proper car insurance cover.

The Government have announced that they want to cut the number of car accidents by 40% by 2010, a big target but one that they feel is achievable. With driving tests becoming stricter, it is the young drivers of Britain who are being tasked with realising the objective; after all, they are the ones who are involved in the most amount of accidents.

But it is not just to satisfy Government targets that young drivers should improve their driving habits, it is for the sake of their own wallets too.

A result of the terrible reputation that they have means that young driver car insurance is horrendously expensive when compared to a motorist of more mature years. Some of the balance can be re-addressed by buying a motor insurance policy from a firm that deals specifically with young driver car insurance, and so is able to offer a significant discount, but the fact remains that young drivers will have to pay a large amount in order to insure their car.

If the Government’s 40% reduction in accidents is achieved, then in the future young driver car insurance will be more in line with that of older drivers. But until that time, there are several ways that young motorists can reduce their premium, and Hoot Car Insurance Services, specialists in providing young driver car insurance, have revealed a few tips that are guaranteed to save a couple of quid.

One of the best ways to get a cheap car insurance premium is to enrol on an advanced driving course such as PassPluss. The idea might seem like a massive hassle after all the driving lessons that you’ve already done, but it really will be worth it to save the money. And on top of that, the courses do teach some important skills that standard driving lessons just don’t offer.

Instead of having your own motor insurance, it might be tempting to become a named driver on a parent’s policy. Bad idea. It might save a little bit of cash now, but in the long-term you’re only going to lose out- and lose out big style. A no claims discount is one of the most important things that a driver can have to get cheap car insurance, and by becoming a named driver you won’t get one. As a result, a few years down the line when you do finally get your own motor insurance, instead of having a nice cheap premium because of your years of no-claims, you’ll have to start from scratch and pay out for an expensive policy. It’s just not worth it.

Ensuring the security of your vehicle is something that car insurance companies like to hear, and so will give you a discount if you can show that your car is not a thief’s paradise. Keep it in a garage, but if that’s not possible then a driveway will do- anything to keep it off the street. Invest in a steering lock, an immobiliser and an alarm, and if you really want to get a cheap car insurance policy, get hold of a tracker too.

On top of these few industry secrets, the one thing that you can do to keep your young driver car insurance premium at a low is simple. Drive sensibly.

Speeding points in your first few years of driving really rack up the price of motor insurance, as does any accident that you’re unlucky enough to be involved in. Drive carefully, follow the few tips above and be sure to buy your policy from a firm that specialises in young driver car insurance, and you’re guaranteed to save a lot of money. Money that can be better spent on far more interesting things than boring old car insurance.