Thread Starter
#1
I am generally feeling quite good driving my new Innova. Just a quick summary about the pros and cons before I touch on the gear ratios:
Pros:
- Spacious interiors of excellent quality (all parts)
- Very comfortable seats
- Good driver seat position (ergonomics)
- Good steering and efficient turning radius
- Superb ride quality
- Good engine (noisy though) and gear box
- Excellent low end torque
Cons:
- No automatic transmission (it's available in all small Asian countries)
- Noisy engine
- Thin body
About gear ratios:
Surprisingly I am able to move the car easily in second gear without even touching the accelerator. I press the accelerator only after the clutch is fully engaged - and by that time the car's picked up enough speed. The car offers awesome low-end torque. Hardly any vibrations. Please note that my experiences here are with 4 passengers including the driver (2 adults, 2 kids) on flat road. First gear is basically useful for that extra punch of torque if required. The gear ratios are similar to a truck.
Now at the speed of >= 30 I am able to move up to 3rd gear. At >= 40 it's comfortable at 4th gear. Between 45 and 50 the drivetrain allows me to move up to 5th gear on flat road with low NVH.
Now what do I do at >= 55 or 60? My gears are exhausted. That's it! At that point, I wish the engine and transmission could send a S.O.S message to Toyota like the Airbus aircrafts do. Toyota-Cho, we have a problem. 6th gear is missing. And Sir, possibly we have the 7th gear missing as well.
No wonder at >= 90 the engine starts becoming noisy.
Given the road conditions in India, I think the Innova is super awesome up to 80-100 speed. Realistically this should work out in driver's favor over 90% of the time. Also, Innova kinda forces you to drive safely since you won't be too happy with the engine noise beyond 120. I think Toyata just got it right! The gear ratios perfectly suit the taxi drivers who drive all day. Also, no wonder it's the vehicle of choice for hill driving giving you enough cornering confidence. Of course the private owners also love driving the Innova since it offers excellent level of space and comfort. And you don't seem to get tired driving an Innova. Last but most important, whatever is offered is of very high quality. In the last 2 months 5 people including me ended up buying the Innova not out of choice but due to lack of other options. A six speed automatic Toyota Innova would have been God sent.
It's sad that none of the car manufacturers in India are able to produce a vehicle better than Innova in that particular big van segment.
Pros:
- Spacious interiors of excellent quality (all parts)
- Very comfortable seats
- Good driver seat position (ergonomics)
- Good steering and efficient turning radius
- Superb ride quality
- Good engine (noisy though) and gear box
- Excellent low end torque
Cons:
- No automatic transmission (it's available in all small Asian countries)
- Noisy engine
- Thin body
About gear ratios:
Surprisingly I am able to move the car easily in second gear without even touching the accelerator. I press the accelerator only after the clutch is fully engaged - and by that time the car's picked up enough speed. The car offers awesome low-end torque. Hardly any vibrations. Please note that my experiences here are with 4 passengers including the driver (2 adults, 2 kids) on flat road. First gear is basically useful for that extra punch of torque if required. The gear ratios are similar to a truck.
Now at the speed of >= 30 I am able to move up to 3rd gear. At >= 40 it's comfortable at 4th gear. Between 45 and 50 the drivetrain allows me to move up to 5th gear on flat road with low NVH.
Now what do I do at >= 55 or 60? My gears are exhausted. That's it! At that point, I wish the engine and transmission could send a S.O.S message to Toyota like the Airbus aircrafts do. Toyota-Cho, we have a problem. 6th gear is missing. And Sir, possibly we have the 7th gear missing as well.
No wonder at >= 90 the engine starts becoming noisy.
Given the road conditions in India, I think the Innova is super awesome up to 80-100 speed. Realistically this should work out in driver's favor over 90% of the time. Also, Innova kinda forces you to drive safely since you won't be too happy with the engine noise beyond 120. I think Toyata just got it right! The gear ratios perfectly suit the taxi drivers who drive all day. Also, no wonder it's the vehicle of choice for hill driving giving you enough cornering confidence. Of course the private owners also love driving the Innova since it offers excellent level of space and comfort. And you don't seem to get tired driving an Innova. Last but most important, whatever is offered is of very high quality. In the last 2 months 5 people including me ended up buying the Innova not out of choice but due to lack of other options. A six speed automatic Toyota Innova would have been God sent.
It's sad that none of the car manufacturers in India are able to produce a vehicle better than Innova in that particular big van segment.
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