Goodbye Toyota Tarago, hello Granvia
BY RON HAMMERTON | 22nd May 2019
TOYOTA Australia has confirmed that it will launch the all-new HiAce-based Granvia people-mover in the fourth quarter of this year, meaning the end of the road for one of the Japanese company’s best-known nameplates in Australia, Tarago, after a run of 36 years.
The move brings Toyota into line with rivals such as Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz which also base their people-movers on a shared platform with their goods vans rather than develop a dedicated people-carrier platform such as the current Tarago which was known elsewhere as Previa.
While the latest Toyota van is fresh, the Granvia name is recycled. The previous Granvia was sold in overseas markets, but came to Australia as the HiAce SBV between 1999 and 2005 before being replaced by minibus versions of the fifth-generation HiAce that went into production in late 2005.
As GoAuto reported last year, Toyota applied for the Granvia trademark in Australia in April 2018, triggering speculation that such a passenger van was in the works for local consumption.
The new sixth-generation HiAce that was revealed early this year is scheduled to launch to Australian media next week, with the Granvia eight-seat passenger version to follow a few months later.
Initially, Granvia will be sold in parallel with the 13-year-old Tarago until stocks of the latter run out.
Unlike Tarago that comes with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 petrol engines, the Granvia will be available with a single turbo-diesel four-cylinder powertrain – thought to be the HiLux’s 2.8-litre unit that develops 130kW of power and 450Nm of torque.
This engine will also be shared with the HiAce, but while the HiAce will also get an alternative 207kW 3.5-litre petrol V6, the Granvia will miss out on petrol power.
The Granvia will be launched in two grades, with the topmost luxury version aimed mainly at corporate customers. Features will include power sliding rear side doors, electrically-adjustable driver’s and second row captain’s seats and leather upholstery.
A fully connected new-generation multimedia system will be available with four USB ports and 12 speakers.
Safety kit includes nine airbags, active cruise control and pre-collision safety system (PCS) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection.
Toyota vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the new Granvia offered true luxury transport to meet the needs of those desiring a large spacious cabin, supreme comfort and superior refinement.
“Whether you are in need of a five-star hotel shuttle, corporate transport for senior executives or just a large luxury family wagon, the new Granvia fits the bill,” he said.
“With a stylish European-inspired design, outstanding comfort, refined performance, a high level of safety features and impressive list of standard appointments, the new Granvia really is the last word in luxury people-movers,” he said.
Customers will be able to choose between a second-row bench seat in an eight-seat configuration or a pair of captain’s chairs in a seven seater.
Pricing is yet to be detailed, but with Toyota talking up the luxury aspects of the Granvia, it does not sound cheap.
The current Tarago range kicks off from $45,490 plus on-road costs for the four-cylinder petrol GLi and tops out at $65,261 for the V6 Ultima.
The top-selling Kia Carnvival starts at $42,490, while the Hyundai i-Max begins at $43,990.
No diesel powertrain is available in the Tarago, which was named after the town of Tarago in New South Wales.
Once the top-selling people-mover in Australia, the Tarago has long since given up that crown to the more affordable, more modern Kia Carnival that – with 2272 sales this year to the end of April – sells 10 times the volume of the Tarago.
Since it was introduced in 1983, the Tarago has accumulated 104,444 sales.
