Driving the Toyota Zenix Hybrid is a delightful experience. It’s a car whose features have been carefully mated together, you just have to sit down and drive – and feel safe.

It’s very well-balanced with the 2.0-liter 16-valve, four-cylinder gas engine sitting low under the bonnet which complements the weight of the hybrid batteries located under the front passenger seats.

Its 2.0-liter gas engine with CVT transmission is a perfect marriage in design with an optional manual mode via paddle shifters. The power and torque are in perfect harmony, shifting from gear to gear gives a new meaning to “immaculately smooth.” The gear changes very smoothly and happens without notice. Transmission is just seamlessly matched in its system.

Being in control is enhanced by the position of the shifter knob. It's not too high, not too low, and not too forward. I love the way the shifter is in the exact position where my arm falls from the wheel.

Leveled up convenience features

Many of its features offer convenience at the press of a button. There’s a push button that completely opens, or closes, the tailgate. There are power seats for the driver and front passenger and two captain seats in the second row where there’s a retractable table between them. And there’s an ottoman too! The third row completely folds down to open cargo space, or pops up to comfortably sit two more passengers.

There’s a safety feature installed for those who switch their sources of music while driving, like switching from radio to Bluetooth pairing. The system will give a message that such an action is not allowed while the car is in motion. Take the time to stop and pair your Bluetooth playlist because the quality of the sound system is perfect even for casual music lovers like me who appreciate the bass and midrange speakers qualifying the different pitches.

Everything is just so well thought of in the Innova Zenix. You can’t dismiss it as “just another Innova,” Toyota’s family car that has already proven itself to be practical, reliable, and stylish. The Innova Zenix is many more levels up from its predecessors.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

The highlight of the driving experience was the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Once the desired speed has been programed, the Zenix will maintain that speed. It detects vehicles up front and will apply the necessary brake force depending on the distance of the vehicle in front. It will decrease speed only when an obstacle or vehicle is detected at what the system considers as a “safety zone” which to me looked like about 30 to 40 meters. Once the obstacle or vehicle is clear, the engine increases the speed back to the cruise control programmed level.

It automatically adjusts the Zenix’s speed to the speed of the vehicle in front, to keep a constant distance which can also be adjusted by the driver. So you can be cruising at 100 kph and a vehicle in front enters your lane. Without stepping on the brakes, the engine’s rpm decreases and the speed slows down.

It reads the lane markings

Its sensors can read the white lines along the highways and sense approaching or passing vehicles. And if you suddenly swerve to the right lane without using the turn signal, you can feel a slight pressure pulling the steering back to its lane. That’s the Lane Tracing Assist feature that keeps the vehicle in its proper lane as the radar/sonar reads the white lines on the road.

Tap the turn signal to execute a lane change and the steering pull is cancelled. The Lane Departure Assist detects the vehicle going out of its lane as its sensors read the white lane line while giving a buzz sound alert.

How the hybrid works

So when does the hybrid technology kick in? Here, I have to quote the Toyota brochure because I can’t explain it any better:
“When starting the car, driving at constant speed in low and mid-speed ranges, and at full stop, the electric motor takes over for the engine to minimize fuel consumption.

“Accelerating and decelerating — when you need to go faster, the gasoline engine automatically activates to add power. Conversely, slowing down and stopping recharges the battery that powers the electric motors.
“When stopping – Regenerative braking lets a hybrid electric vehicle self-charge by turning the motor into a generator. This way you never have to worry about plugging your car into a power source, because every step on the brake allows your car to recharge.”

Driving North

Driving the Zenix up north to Baguio was a breeze — a delightful experience. The ride was smooth; the music fine; the aircon a pleasant cool. The power and torque of its 2.0-liter engine added to the pleasure of the drive. So, too, the good feeling established by the Toyota brand: reliability, dependability, quality, availability of parts and plenty of aftermarket upgrades.
I'd say that this Innova Zenix stands out as a good family vehicle just like what you'll expect from the family of Toyota.

Lawrence T. Dy

Fine design, seamless systems for a truly delightful drive