Toyota Innova & Mitsubishi Montero Sport: Which one do you prefer?

Updated Nov 08, 2022

Though the Toyota Innova and Mitsubishi Montero Sport are not in the same category, comparing these two vehicles is still a hotly-debated topic among car enthusiasts.
Comparing the Toyota Innova to the Mitsubishi Montero Sport might sound like we’re going to compare apples to oranges. However, it’s still a very hot topic which much being written about the relative strengths and weakness of the 2 above vehicles on social media.

1. Seating capacity and spacious

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport Philippines is one of the top-selling vehicles in our market and continues to win the Filipinos’ hearts in mixing form and function. The mid-sized SUV is recognized by many car owners as a family vehicle and a reliable and solid machine on and off the road. 
 
A red mitsubishi montero sport on the road

The Montero Sport is one of the top-selling vehicles in the Philippines and continues to win the Filipinos’ hearts in mixing form and function
 
Not only do these workhorses offer enough room to accommodate your whole family, but they also offer better maneuverability over more rugged terrain and awful weather and great wading capacity so essential for many intersections and roads that are prone to flooding during heavy rain events.

Yet, there are some who cannot accept the car for its quite not convenient interior room as they have specific experience with difficulty getting in and out of the Montero Sport. Many car addicts were starting to dismiss the car until its all-new model launched. Categorically, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is best mid-sized SUV out there.

The Innova, however, have ample space, especially in the third row compared not just to other MPVs but its previous models as well.
 

2017 Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4 8spd A/T FULL REVIEW
 

2. Safety features

Safety measures of the Montero Sport definitely make you drive with greatest confidence. The SUV is tempered by excellent items that wrap passengers in a cocoon of safety.
 
  • GLS Premium 4x2 variant: stability control, 6 airbags, ABS-EBD brakes with Emergency Brake Assist, and hill-start assist.
  • GT variant: trailer sway control, Hill Descent Control, Forward Collision Mitigation and 8 airbags
 
The Innova, however, lacks many essential safety features. The car only provides 3 airbags and Anti-lock braking system.

>>> You may also like: Toyota Innova 2018 Philippines: Specs review, price, interior, exterior, and pros & cons
 
A blue Toyota Innova angular front view

The Innova have ample space, especially in the third row compared not just to other MPVs but its previous models as well
 

3. Operation

If you plan on doing a lot of city driving, the Toyota Innova Philippines is the better choice that has plenty of flexible and good features that can help you maneuver and notify of approaching danger immediately. 
 
For those who travel a lot out of the metro for work, escape to distant and exotic places, or go through three of four feet of water, the Montero Sport is the better choice. 
 

2017 Toyota Innova 2.8 G Walkaround Exterior & Interior
 
>>> For your reference:

Know more about Toyota Innova 2024

Toyota Innova

The Toyota Innova is one of the best-sellers from the leading automotive brand in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines. It is a compact MPV that can accommodate seven occupants while other variants have a seating capacity of eight. The Toyota Innova's prices in the Philippines range from PHP 1,261,000 to PHP 1,823,000. It has six variants in the market starting with the Innova J, up to the top-spec Innova V.

For the Philippine market, the Toyota Innova 2024 has only one engine option. It uses a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine capable of producing up to 171 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, the Innova uses a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed transmission. Size-wise, this Toyota-made MPV is 4,735mm long, 1,830mm wide, and 1,795mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,750mm and a ground clearance of 178mm.

Toyota Innova's competitors in the local market include the Mitsubishi Xpander, Suzuki Ertiga, GAC GN6, and the Maxus G50. 

>>> New and used Toyota Innova 2024 for sale in the Philippines

Toyota Innova Launch

The current Toyota Innova is the facelifted second-generation which reached our shores in 2021. The popular MPV comes with five variants – the base model J, lower-tier E, middle trim G, and the top-spec V variant. Its sole engine choice is a 2.8-liter inline-4 turbo diesel, and it can either come with a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox.  Later in 2024, TMP added the XE AT trim. 

Toyota Motor Philippines launched the facelifted second-generation Toyota Innova with a price range from P1,261,000 to P1,823,000.

Toyota Innova Exterior

Upfront, the Toyota Innova features a multi-reflector halogen headlight except for the V variant which comes with LED projector-type headlamps with clearance lamps.

This MPV comes with a colored-keyed bumper and a rear reflector. The grille, however, varies from one variant to another.

The V variants of the Toyota Innova also feature LED fog lights with chrome bezel, as well as a pair of LED daytime running lights. Halogen fog lights and chrome bezels are featured in the rest of the lineup except the J-spec that does not have fog lights.

The G and V variants come with grip-type exterior door handles with chrome accents. The E and J variants only get color-keyed door handles.

Toyota Innova Philippines angular front

This MPV comes with a colored-keyed bumper with a rear reflector

Toyota Innova Interior

Seven people can sit inside the V variant of the Toyota Innova, while the rest of the lineup has an 8-seater cabin. The whole lineup gets a fabric seating material with varying colors depending on the variant. The interior's primary color is black with silver accents on aircon vents and across the dashboard. The trim of the passenger dash accent will change depending on the MPV’s variant.

Tray tables mounted behind the front seats and captain chairs for the second row are available in V variants. For the G variants, foldable tray tables are available that can be stored away easily.

Toyota Innova Philippines cabin

Seven people can sit inside the V variant of the Toyota Innova, while the rest of the lineup has an 8-seater cabin

Overall, the Toyota Innova gets a stylish contemporary interior. The upper part of the dashboard features a flowing shape. The gauge cluster is pretty much the same as that of the Corolla Altis. A 7-inch touch screen is available for V and G variants, the E gets a 6.75-inch unit, while the J gets a 2-DIN unit.

Technology & Safety Features

Handling the entertainment of the Toyota Innova is a 2-DIN touchscreen display that measures 7 inches. It comes as a standard in the V and G. The E, on the other hand, gets a 6.75-inch screen, and the J gets a 2-DIN unit. The touchscreen units are capable of connecting via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth, and AUX.

Push-start ignition and automatic climate control are also available in the top variants of Toyota Innova.

Intermittent wipers, along with mist function and time adjuster, are also available in G and V variants that come as standard. The rear wiper is a standard feature in all its lineup, however, it lacks intermittent functions. 

Toyota Innova Philippines dashboard area

Handling the entertainment of the Toyota Innova is a 2-DIN touchscreen display that measures 7 inches

Some of the standard safety features in this popular MPV are driver and passenger airbags, child safety locks, hill-start assist, stability control, ABS with EBD, crash sensors, and front and side-impact beams.

>>> Read the following articles to have a better understanding of this MPV:

Toyota Innova Platform & Chassis

Toyota Innova Philippines is a 5-door wagon compact MPV that shares the same platform with the Fortuner and Hilux. It sits on Toyota's IMV platform with a front engine.

The halting is handled by ventilated discs for the front brakes and leading-trailing drum brakes for the rear brakes.

The front suspension of the Toyota Innova is handled by an independent double-wishbone coil. The rear suspension, on the other hand, gets a 4-link coil spring system – the same suspension system used in its predecessor.

Toyota Innova Philippines side view

Toyota Innova Philippines is a 5-door wagon compact MPV that shares the same platform with the Fortuner and Hilux

Toyota Innova Engine & Drivetrain

The facelifted 2nd-gen Innova only has one engine choice, a 2.8-liter inline-4 turbodiesel. On the six-speed automatic variants, the said engine can make up to 171 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. On the five-speed manual variants, it can churn out up to 167 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque.

Just like its predecessor, the Toyota Innova comes with a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain.

>>> New and used Toyota Innova for sale in the Philippines

Toyota Innova 2024 Price List

Let's check out the Toyota Innova 2024 price in September in the Philippines.

 Variants  Price
Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT ₱1,261,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 XE Diesel AT ₱1,375,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel AT ₱1,529,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel MT ₱1,598,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel MT (White Pearl Crystal Shine) ₱1,613,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel AT ₱1,668,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel AT (White Pearl Crystal Shine) ₱1,683,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 V Diesel AT ₱1,808,000
Toyota Innova 2.8 V Diesel AT (White Pearl Crystal Shine) ₱1,823,000

Toyota Innova Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Practical
  • Robust
  • Decently comfortable
  • Generous torque

Cons

  • Starts at a slightly higher price than other seven-seater MPV alternatives
  • Lacking high-tech safety equipment like driver assist features

Toyota Innova Q&A

1. How much is the fuel tank capacity of the Toyota Innova 2024?

The fuel tank capacity of the Toyota Innova 2024 is about 52L.

2. How much is Toyota Innova?

The Toyota Innova price Philippines ranges from P1,261,000 to P1,823,000.

3. What are the dimensions of the Toyota Innova 2024?

The dimensions of the Toyota Innova 2024 are respectively 4,755 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,795 mm in height.

4. Does Toyota Innova have a reverse camera?

Yes, it does. The manufacturer does equip the Toyota Innova 2024 with reserve sensors and a camera. You can see what is behind the car on the screen.

5. Is Innova 2024 a good buy?

Yes, the Toyota Innova is a good car to buy. Good warranty, durable ride and performance, and fuel economy are big plus points of the car.

₱ 1,236,000 - ₱ 1,789,000

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