With the launch of the facelifted 2021 Toyota Innova, many of you are probably wondering how different it is from the previous version. It might be that you’re considering the said model as your next car, or you currently own an Innova and you’re just curious.
Either way, let’s compare the old Innova with the new facelifted version and help you spot the differences.
Facelifted 2021 Toyota Innova Quick Look: New Face, Still Philippine-Made
2021 Toyota Innova Old vs New: Exterior
Being a facelift, the Innova didn’t change that much overall. The front end did get new details like a larger, more aggressive-looking grille that looks similar to the one on the new Toyota Hilux.
Apart from the new grille, the front-end also gets a more angular front bumper. The headlamp design was also revamped and looks different from the old Innova’s pair. For the Innova V trim, the said headlamps are LEDs.
The old (right) and new (left) Toyota Innova parked side-by-side
Down below, the front fog lamps are now positioned on the lower bumper. In turn, the old position of the fog lamps is now filled in by its new turn indicator lights. The old Innova came with a pair of larger parallelogram-like fog lamps which were positioned where the turn indicator lamps are on the facelifted version.
From the side, the Innova retains the same old character lines. The same story goes for the rear, which has the same taillight design. The trim piece running in-between the taillamps though was given a glossy black color. In the older versions, the said trim piece was only present on the discontinued Touring Sport.


Compare the old (right) and new (left) Innova using this slider function
>>> Related: Toyota Innova Maintenance: How much does it cost to own one?
2021 Toyota Innova Old vs New: Tech and safety
Inside, the seating arrangement remains the same. One of the most significant changes though has to do with on-board tech. The V, G, and E variants now come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The screen on the E however, is a bit smaller at 6.75-inches. The V and G on the other hand have a larger 7-inch display. Lastly, the J comes with a 2-DIN audio system that’s still capable of connecting via Bluetooth, USB, AUX, and it can even play CDs.


The interior of the old (right) the new (left) Toyota Innova V variant
As for the old version, the Innova didn’t have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at all. The number for speakers however remains the same for all variants, and the same goes for the overall arrangement of the dashboard.
For safety, the G, E, and J variants now come standard with three airbags with the addition of a driver’s knee airbag. The V, on the other hand, gets seven. Stability control and hill start assist were also added as standard on all of the 2021 Innova’s variants.
Lastly, the V and G now feature speed-sensing door locks, a reverse camera, and parking sensors.
>>> Related: 2021 Toyota Innova: Expectations and what we know so far
2021 Toyota Innova Old vs New: Engine
Another huge change for the 2021 Innova is the streamlining of its variant lineup. To achieve this, Toyota Motor Philippines no longer offers the 2.0-liter 1TR-FE gasoline engine that was available on the G, E, and J.
The sole engine for all variants of the facelifted Innova is of course the same 2.8-liter diesel engine found on the previous version. For the five-speed manual variants, the said engine can produce up to 168 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque. For the automotive versions, it can make a bit more at 172 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque.
The 2021 Toyota Innova's 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV turbodiesel inline-4 engine
If you want to view the new 2021 Toyota Innova in detail, please check our car guide section for the aforementioned model. For the latest car news, reviews, and more helpful car maintenance tips, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.
Know more about Toyota Innova

The Toyota Innova is one of the best-sellers of 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 became a logical choice in the MPV segment because of its seating capacity, diesel mill, and raised ride height. It is the main reason why the Toyota Innova is one of the annual top-sellers in the country. This is a testament to how appealing this compact MPV is to Filipino car buyers. The current generation Toyota Innova has a larger dimension than its predecessor. The overall exterior of the Toyota Innova is obviously an MPV, but the styling is inspired by the SUV and crossover models of the Japanese brand. Dominating the front end of the Innova is a large angular grille and large swept-back headlights. It gives the Toyota Innova a more aggressive appearance that reminds us of the U.S – market Highlander SUV. On the side, it features clean and notable shoulder lines. It has features similar to the RAV4, particularly the near-triangular D-pillars, angular horizontal taillights, and upswept rearmost side windows. The facelifted 2nd-gen Toyota Innova is offered with the 2.8L 1GD-FTV engine that produces 167 hp and 343 Nm of torque on manual transmission variants and an impressive 171 horsepower and 360 Newton-meter of torque on an automatic transmission. The Toyota Innova shares the same platform with the Fortuner and Hilux.
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Cesar G.B. Miguel
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