Technology has gone a long way, improving cars in every aspect from design, comfort, safety, and efficiency. With the increased awareness of issues like global warming and the push to conserve natural resources, carmakers have begun improving their vehicles in the aspects of emissions and fuel efficiency.

In the Philippines, one of the best-selling segments is the Entry-Level MPV. Known in the previous decades as the Asian Utility Vehicle or AUVs, they’re the de facto choice of increasingly mobile Filipino families. It also serves as the backbone of the industry, providing transportation solutions to businesses and entrepreneurs.

With fuel efficiency records dating back to the early  2000s, here’s a small snapshot on how much the Innova has improved over the past 15 years, starting from its predecessor, the Revo. However, it’s worth noting that traffic conditions have substantially worsened in the past years.

2003 Toyota Revo 1.8 SR
Engine: 1.8 7K EFI 4-cylinder
Fuel: Gasoline
Maximum Output: 80 horsepower @ 4,600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 139 Nm @ 2,800 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed M/T
Average Fuel Economy: 6.61 km/L (city, as tested)

2005 Toyota Innova 2.5 G
Engine: 2.5 2KD-FTV 4-cylinder
Fuel: Diesel
Maximum Output: 102 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 260 Nm @ 1,600-2,400 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed A/T
Average Fuel Economy: 11.28 km/L (mixed, as tested)

2007 Toyota Innova 2.0 G
Engine: 2.0 1TR-FE 4-cylinder
Fuel: Gasoline
Maximum Output: 136 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 182 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed A/T
Average Fuel Economy: 8.12 km/L (city, as tested)

2014 Toyota Innova 2.5 V
Engine: 2.5 2KD-FTV 4-cylinder
Fuel: Diesel
Maximum Output: 102 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 260 Nm @ 1,600-2,400 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed A/T
Average Fuel Economy: 9.09 km/L (city, as tested)

2016 Toyota Innova 2.8 V
Engine: 2.8 1GD-FTV 4-cylinder
Fuel: Diesel
Maximum Output: 171 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
Maximum Torque: 360 Nm @ 1,200-3,400 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed A/T
Average Fuel Economy:  9.09 km/L (city, as tested), 13.33 km/L (mixed, as tested)

2KD-FTV in the 2014 Toyota Innova 2.5 V

Looking at the figures, the first-generation Innova saw a huge jump in power and efficiency over the Revo.

The Innova, equipped with a larger 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a 4-speed automatic, did 18.5 percent better than the Revo with a 1.8-liter motor and 5-speed manual. It’s worth noting that the Revo is down some 56 horses and 121 Nm of torque to the Innova.

During the same period, the Department of Energy (DOE) revealed that the Revo 2.4 diesel 5 M/T achieved 16.50 km/L in a fuel efficiency run done in 2002. It was beaten six years later by the Innova 2.5 5 M/T with 18.41 km/L or a 10.35 percent improvement during another DOE sanctioned fuel eco run.

1GD-FTV in the 2016 Toyota Innova 2.8 V

Moving to the first and second generation Innova this time, it’s clear that fuel efficiency remained the same in the urban setting when both are equipped with a diesel engine and an automatic gearbox. Of course, the new Innova wins big with 69 more horsepower and 100 Nm more of torque.

While fuel efficiency in the city remained the same, the new Innova scored a big win in the mixed urban/highway setting where the new drivetrain enabled the 2.8 V to gain an additional 15.37 percent compared to the previous 2.5 V. This figure approaches the levels achieved by the Revo and first-generation Innova in a fuel eco run setting!

It’s also worth saying that in a pure highway setting, the 2016 Innova did 19.61 km/L—the best ever for Toyota’s MPV. This figure was reiterated by the latest DOE Euro 4 fuel economy run where it did 25.25 km/L.

Now what does all this mean for you? More savings and less trips to the pump, of course.

Focusing on mixed city/highway usage, the first-generation Innova dries its tank at 620.4 kilometers while the new one does it in 733.1 kilometers. That additional distance traveled is more than enough for an additional one-way trip from Manila to Clark.

In peso sense, pegging diesel at P 27.90, the first-generation Innova runs at P 2.47 per kilometers while the new one does it at just P 2.09—that’s a saving of P 0.38 per kilometer. Running 20,000 kilometers annually, that’s a savings of P 7,600!

In short, when Toyota opted to give the all-new Innova a larger 2.8-liter motor as opposed to  a 2.4-liter one, they were doing their homework. Not only is the new 1GD-FTV more powerful than ever before, it is also more fuel efficient. Do take note that the figures above are based on personal records kept since 2003 mixed with some figures from the DOE. As always, fuel efficiency is affected by a lot of factors such as driving conditions, traffic, etc.