The current situation the world is in is certainly a challenging one. With the virus still posing a threat and government guidelines and protocols that are already changing the way people live and work, finding the right vehicle for this challenging time is a major concern for many. It’s not just the new restrictions with travel and passenger capacity. Many of the priority considerations when buying cars before have now completely changed. Thankfully, there’s one class of car and one particular model that continues to be a great choice even during this new normal — the Philippines’ best-selling MPV according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the Toyota Innova. Designed for the Asian market, the Innova was conceived to fill a wide variety of needs for the Asian family. After all, buyers in the region are not only very discriminating with cars but also very business savvy. Part of the Innova’s success over its long existence is its versatility as both a people carrier and workhorse for business. Here are some of the qualities that make it an ideal choice even in the new normal. High passenger capacity The new normal has many regulations governing social distancing even in cars that may change the way people travel. Social distancing guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) dictate that passengers in vehicles must maintain a certain distance from the next passengers. This is a big change for smaller cars, that used to fit five passengers but can now only seat four. The seven-seater Innova can fit one more passenger in the third row, bringing the total back up to five while still complying with the law. This makes it an ideal shuttle for businesses, families, or those that want to lend a helping hand to the brave frontliners. With the Innova’s advantage in passenger capacity, drivers can bring more people and make less trips, getting people where they need to go while still following government guidelines. Large cargo capacity Besides its ability to bring more people, the Innova is also great for carrying more cargo. Thanks to its foldable second and third row, the Innova can instantly be converted into a cargo vehicle. Picture instructions on the back of its folding seats, easy levers and latches, and spring-loaded seat mechanisms make it easy for anyone to instantly transform the Innova from a people carrier to a cargo hauler. Just the third row can be folded to transport large boxes while still carrying passengers. To optimize its cargo capacity, even the second row can be folded forward to make more space for carrying water, boxes, and even vital materials like personal protective equipment (PPEs). The Innova can also handle unusually-shaped cargo. In certain trim levels (E, G, and V), just one side of the second row and third row can be folded to accommodate long cargo, leaving room for a few passengers as well. Powerful air conditioner Easily one of the Innova’s most notable features is its dual air conditioner system. Designed to keep the cabin cool even with a full load of passengers, the system can handle being put on full blast for the entire journey. This is especially valuable now that wearing face masks at all times is required, whether by law or as company policy. Keeping the air cool and constantly flowing will be a boon to passengers wearing face masks that limit breathing as it is. Comfortable ride One of the Innova’s greatest assets is its combination of truck-based body on frame construction and car-like ride. Technicalities aside, the Innova is built on the backbone of its rugged pickup truck sibling, the Hilux, but uses much more comfortable car-like suspension (double wishbone in front and 4-link coilsprings in the rear) for a softer ride. This means that — whether the Innova is carrying people or cargo — the payload will be coddled with suspension that can soak up the worst bumps on the road. This is a handle quality, particularly when used to transport fragile cargo like passengers that may be sick or rapid test kits. Powerful and efficient engines Whether the Innova will be used for family, frontliners, a community-based business, or as a company’s service vehicle, Toyota offers a number of options when it comes to power and propulsion. The Innova is offered in a choice of either a 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve Inline-4 gasoline engine with Dual VVT-i, or a 2.8-liter common rail D4-D diesel engine with variable nozzle turbo. There’s also a choice of manual or automatic transmissions to suit varying needs. Whatever the choice, these engines come with built-in drive modes like Eco, Normal, and Power to provide even greater flexibility and engine response in a variety of situations. Ready for anything These uncertain times have certainly thrown a wrench into the status quo, forcing the public to readjust and reevaluate the way people live, work, and most especially travel. To this day, it’s still hard to tell if lives will return back to normal or be changed forever. Yet with the versatile Toyota Innova, one can confidently take on any challenge the new normal can throw. By Inigo S. Roces