The all-new Toyota Innova Zenix that was just launched here in Malaysia today brings a myriad of new things to the table, significantly upgrading the MPV experience, especially when compared to its predecessor (now still on sale as the Innova CG).
There’s the TNGA platform that should significantly improve the Innova’s ride and handling performance, while the new engine and fifth-gen hybrid system also brings the Innova lineage up to modern standards. But most intriguingly, the Toyota Innova Zenix is actually the first model in the UMW Toyota Motor stable here in Malaysia to feature the marque’s latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) advanced driver assistance suite.
So what exactly is new with the third-generation system? Let’s have a closer look.
The TSS 3.0 system improves upon the capabilities of the marque’s existing ADAS suite, thanks to the new camera sensor and millimetre-wave radar sensor. The former now boasts a higher resolution and covers a wider detection angle (both vertically and horizontally), while the radar can now detect obstacles both up to two times further, and also closer to the sensor.
In terms of the Pre-Collision System (PCS), TSS 3.0 can now recognise potential dangers in more circumstances, including off-axis traffic at intersections, and provide autonomous emergency braking and emergency steering assist actions if necessary. Vehicles equipped with TSS 3.0 will also now detect motorcyclists, in addition to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The upgraded camera sensors on the Toyota Innova Zenix now detect three-dimensional objects (such as guard rails and kerbs) as lane markers for its Lane Departure Assist feature, while the new Road Sign Assist (RSA) system can recognise speed limit markers on Malaysian roads, feeding the speed limit information to the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) system to automatically slow down the car when entering a slow zone.
These enhanced object recognition come courtesy of TSS 3.0’s Motion3D feature that utilises artificial intelligence and Deep Neural Network to improve its detection capabilities overtime. In certain markets, the TSS 3.0 system can also be updated over-the-air to increase their detection capabilities for other road signs in the future.
ALSO WATCH: How does TSS work? Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 explained
On the mention of DRCC, the adaptive cruise control system has also been enhanced thanks to the increased radar range. The system can now evaluate the traffic situation two vehicles ahead, significantly shortening its response time to speed changes.
When changing lanes, the TSS 3.0 system on the all-new Toyota Innova Zenix also scans for vehicles in the adjacent lane to proactively adjust the speed while DRCC is active, resulting in a much smoother and safer (semi-autonomous) drive.
Aside from the systems that are part of the TSS 3.0 suite, the 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix also comes equipped with a blind-spot monitor system (with indicator lights on the wing mirrors), rear-cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam, as well as a 360-degree surround-view monitor, making the all-new MPV one of the best-equipped vehicles on the market today in terms of safety.
We’ll be testing the new TSS 3.0 system in more detail when we get our hands on the all-new Toyota Innova Zenix, to see how well it actually performs here on our Malaysian roads. But for now, be sure to check out the full details of the Toyota Innova Zenix at our detailed launch coverage post, linked here.
