Buy the Toyota Innova Crysta/Fortuner NOW: Here’s why

That’s right, prices of the diesel-powered Fortuner could rise by up to Rs. 4.5 lakh next year. Even the diesel-powered Innova Crysta MPV is set to get a price range of around Rs. 3-4.5 lakh next year. Therefore, if you have been planning to buy any of these vehicles but keep on postponing your decision due to some reasons, now is the time to visit the showroom and splurge some money. According to a recent report by ET Auto, Toyota Kirloskar Motors is looking at a price increment of 15-20 per cent due to BS-VI compliance of diesel vehicles.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Deputy Managing Director N Raja told ET Auto that the final pricing details are yet to be worked out across TKM’s product range. however, there could be a price increase of around Rs 4.5 lakh for the base diesel Fortuner SUV. He said this while discussing how pre-buying the SUV before the BSVI norms kick in might help the buyers and boost sales for the manufacturer as well. The base diesel variant of the Fortuner, the 2.8 4×2 MT, is priced at Rs 29.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) at present. The base diesel variant of the Innova Crysta MPV, on the other hand, is priced at Rs. 15.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Both these vehicles are the bestsellers in their respective segments and have been chart-toppers for over a decade now.

Now Toyota cars, especially the Fortuner and the Innova, were never known for being affordable as they were always positioned a bit higher than the competition. What worked in favour of the Japanese manufacturer though is the fact that both these cars offered solid built quality, long term reliability as well as excellent resale value. However, with an increment of Rs. 4.5 lakh next year, you may no longer be able to convince your mind enough to buy the Fortuner in future. This is because you will end up paying too much for the BSVI diesel Fortuner when the competition would offer similar vehicles for a lesser amount. Therefore now is the time if you want the big burly SUV to stand in your garage. According to N Raja, Toyota is looking at buyers from fleet segment among others to make up for the majority of the BSIV chunk of both these vehicles. He said:

“We are looking at the fleet segment and employee transport and shared mobility, where diesel vehicles are used and there is price sensitivity. They would be better off buying BS IV than going for BS VI”

Some manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki have decided that they could end the production of diesel engines after the BSVI norms are mandated from April next year. The cost of upgrading diesel mills to meet the BSVI emission norms is relatively much higher than petrol engines. This would lead to an anomaly in the prices which in turn could result in lower demand for diesel and the same is being considered by several manufacturers.

As for Toyota, the Japanese manufacturer has decided to pack its bag from the sub-Rs. 10 lakh market of India and will now focus on vehicles above Rs. 10 lakh price range. For lower-priced vehicles, the company has entered into a partnership with Maruti Suzuki which would yield a slew of rebranded models, the first of them being the Toyota Glanza. In the coming future, Toyota will bring the ultra-luxurious Vellfire MPV to India along with the Rush crossover that will sit below the Fortuner in the market. But for those looking to buy the diesel-powered Fortuner or the Innova Crysta, now is probably the best time. Toyota is even offering discounts on the Fortuner this month and with a bit of bargaining, you can strike a good deal with the dealership due to the current sales slowdown.