If you’re a fleet operator, or have little knowledge of contraception and have a large family residing at your house, Toyota believes its new Innova, multipurpose vehicle, should provide a lot of practical, affordable appeal for you.

The Innova is the latest in a line of products from Toyota that makes use of their International Multipurpose Vehicle (IMV) platform; the others being the 4×4 capable Toyota Hilux and Toyota Fortuner. Toyota acknowledges the similarities between all the IMV models, but claims the Innova was, “…specifically designed as a passenger vehicle and was given the requisite ride and handling characteristics for such demands.”

Right, well, the Innova is equipped with the 2.7-litre, VVT-I, four-cylinder petrol engine just as you’d find on other IMV based vehicles. It delivers 118 kW and 241 Nm, with a consumption rating of 11.2 L/100km and CO2 emissions of 265 g/km. So the Innova isn’t exactly going to innovate new ways of solving our global warming problems now is it, but the meaty Hilux derived engine does at least get the big people mover up to speed amicably and provide enough overtaking grunt when required.

What becomes harder to live with is the suspension set up. It has double wishbone front suspension, fine; but the ‘four-link’ rear suspension, that’s two links per wheel, bolted to a solid rear axle, is the stuff of off-road and commercial vehicles, and quite honestly does not have any place on a car marketed as a family car. I know already what Toyota are going to say in response to this…, ‘it’s a robust set up that can take lots of punishment when the Innova is heavily loaded’. Granted, but might I argue it is the way it is because rear suspension like that is cheap to fit and cheap to fix should anything go wrong. Aside from the cheapness aspect that gets my goat, only having two links per wheel to get the power down in a rear wheel drive vehicle, makes the Innova downright useless to drive. And the ride quality leaves loads to be desired for passengers as well. This is a vehicle you’ll most likely fill with babies, kids and loved ones, and you’ll watch from the front seat as the response from the solid rear axle sends radiating waves of nausea over them every time you so much as touch an undulation in the road. The Innova also only has two front airbags.

So right there and then, we can decide this is in fact not a family vehicle. It is a fleet operator’s vehicle. A shuttle vehicle to and from the airport, and the hotel… and then the Innova starts to make a lot of sense. Because you don’t mind what your shuttle vehicle looks like or drives like. You won’t be driving it, and in that respect it’s far from the world’s worst shuttle car to be stuck in.

The 7-seater model is fitted with individual captain seats in the middle row which slide and recline, while the 8-seater has a bench in the middle row. The middle seats can be folded flat and tumbled forward, while the third row of seats fold sideways. You’ll notice the two-tone instrument panel with silver and turquoise blue lighting. Wood grain inserts are featured on the central cluster and on the more expensive 7-seater models steering wheel. There is more two-tone in the form of the luxury cloth trim on the 8-seater, which I have to say is perfectly comfortable for a short ride to the airport with sufficient leg room form the second row.

Both versions of the new Innova will offer a multi-information display, electric window and steering wheel controls. Other features include a dual automatic air conditioning system with clean air filter and air conditioning vents for all three rows of occupants. A new, touch sensitive LCD screen is linked to a six speaker, front-loading CD player with MP3, USB, auxiliary and iPod connectivity. On the 7-seater model the Display Audio system also features an integrated reverse camera.

So while it is not strictly a family car, one must concede that the Toyota Innova does indeed offer a whole lot of car for its price.

Prices include a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and 5-year / 90 000km maintenance plan.