Toyota Innova Hycross GX vs Kia Carens Top-spec Petrol-DCT: Premium MPVs Compared

The MPV space in India may not get as much attention as the SUVs, but it’s certainly a popular segment with all sorts of brands and offerings. In this report, we are going to take you through the comparison between two similarly priced MPVs that fit the tag of “premium” in two very different ways. On one hand, we have the entry-level Toyota Innova Hycross GX which offers a spacious interior thanks to its size. On the other hand, we have the Kia Carens X-Line DCT, the top-end petrol variant, which gets a much more feature-rich but smaller cabin for a similar price tag.  

Let’s find out which car offers more value for your money, or is better suited for your needs.

Price 

Since the Innova Hycross is not available with a diesel engine option, it makes sense to compare the prices of the petrol variant of the Carens.

As we can see above, the Innova Hycross is Rs 55,000 more expensive than the Kia Carens top-end variant. Do note that the Hycross is also available in an 8-seater configuration which commands a premium of Rs 5,000 over the 7-seater variant. The Carens is available in 6- and 7-seater configurations, and both are similarly priced for the top-end variant. 

Important:- In the case of the Toyota MPV, the 7-seater variant is the one with captain seats in the middle row and claims three-person seating in the third row. That is why we’re comparing it to the 6-seater Carens which has the same seating layout for the middle row.

Dimensions

Perhaps obvious, but we can see that the Innova Hycross is by far the longer, wider and taller MPV giving it far more road presence. We can also state that the bigger size means a more spacious cabin for the Hycross compared to the Carens. 

Features

While similarly priced, it’s not exactly a fair fight and the top-spec Kia Carens has significantly more comforts to offer than the base-level Toyota Innova Hycross. The interior of the Carens feels much more upmarket and premium with its use of leatherette upholstery and soft-touch materials. 

However, the Innova Hycross GX variant is not exactly a bare-bones model. It still covers many of the basic feature requirements such as an infotainment system with smartphone connectivity (wired), rear view parking camera, LED lighting elements, height adjustable driver’s seat and push-button start-stop, and manual AC with rear vents with blower controls. 

Powertrain

The Innova Hycross gets a larger 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine compared to the Carens which gets the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in the variants we compared. The Hycross gets more power, while the Carens gets the torquier engine. In both the vehicles you won’t feel the need for more power as both the engines are almost equally capable for city, as well as highway driving. That being said, the Carens is paired with a more refined 7-speed DCT compared to the Innova Hycross which gets the CVT. 

Verdict

If you’re simply looking to get the most bang for the buck, the Kia Carens X-Line DCT is the easy pick. It has a long list of premium comforts and even packs decent performance with the turbo-petrol engine. At this price point, it won’t make you feel like you have compromised on anything. 

The Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is superior in terms of its size and offers the experience of driving a bigger car. Additionally, the Toyota MPV carries the brand’s legacy of reliability and better resale value. If you’re willing to compromise on cabin comforts and potentially higher running costs for the larger engine’s fuel economy in favour of space and presence, you can go ahead with the Innova Hycross. 

In the end, it boils down to your personal requirements and needs. So let us know in the comments which car you would pick at this price and why.