Driven: All-new Toyota Granvia MPV touches down

TOYOTA’S all-new Granvia people-mover has arrived Down Under, bringing increases in price, luxury and dimensions over the fan-favourite Tarago that it replaces.

Based on the new-generation HiAce that was launched locally in May, the Granvia is offered in two levels of specification with six- or eight-seat layouts for both model grades and pricing starting at $62,990 plus on-roads for the six-seat base Granvia.

Toyota asks $2000 extra for the eight-seat Granvia, while the more luxurious VX increases pricing to $74,990 regardless of seating layout.

This compares with the Tarago range that was priced between $45,490 and $65,261 before being discontinued this year.

This means the Granvia will compete with premium people-movers such as the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Volkswagen Multivan, rather than the likes of the Honda Odyssey and Kia Carnival.

But Toyota promises wholesale improvements over the Tarago, with the bigger Granvia not only offering better interior packaging but also greater luxury and improved refinement.

Measuring a massive 5300mm long, 1970mm wide and 1990mm tall and sitting on a 3210mm wheelbase, the Granvia is 545mm longer, 170mm wider and 240mm longer than the Tarago The wheelbase is 260mm longer, allowing for a significant increase in interior space.

All versions offer two rows of individually adjustable captain’s chairs in the rear complete with Isofix child seat anchoring points, with eight-seat versions adding a rear bench seat with 60:40 split-folding.

Pews in the VX feature quilted leather upholstery, electric adjustment and ottoman leg rests, and in the six-seat version the second-row seats can be adjusted fore and aft by 608mm, while the third row slides 976mm.

Entry-level Granvia seats can be adjusted 592mm in the second row and 624mm in the third, with all chairs upholstered in cloth.

Entry is possible through sliding doors on either side of the vehicle – electrically operated on the VX – with LED adjustable reading lights and six USB power sockets for rear-seat occupants.

Both versions make use of a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, DAB+ digital radio and satellite navigation. The VX enhances the audio experience with a 12-speaker Pioneer audio system.

Climate controls are available in both the front and rear, while a 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, voice recognition and live traffic updates are included.

The VX adds rear sun blinds, a dehumidifier, leather-accented and woodgrain-look steering wheel, along with synthetic leather and woodgrain-look door trims.

From the outside, the Granvia comes standard with auto LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, front and rear LED foglights, heated folding exterior mirrors, automatic rain-sensing wipers and 17-inch alloys with a full-size spare tyre.

A generous suite of active safety features are available across the range through Toyota’s Safety Sense package, which includes autonomous emergency braking with night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and vibration feedback, road sign assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beam, hill-start assist, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera with guide lines and nine airbags.

The VX also includes a surround-view camera and auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Comfort is enhanced over the HiAce donor vehicle with MacPherson-strut front suspension and a four-link coil set-up at the rear, while stopping power comes courtesy of ventilated disc brakes all round.

Only one engine is on offer for the Granvia, namely a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder shared with a number of other Toyota models including the HiLux, Prado and HiAce.

Driving the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, the Granvia’s engine develops 130kW at 3400rpm and 450Nm from 1600-2400rpm.

Combined fuel consumption is rated at 8.0 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions at 211 grams of CO2 per km, with a 70-litre fuel tank on board.

Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the Granvia improved Toyota’s offer in the segment over the Tarago, and would appeal to both private and business buyers.

“The Tarago has served us well, but when it came to its replacement, we knew we had to deliver a markedly better vehicle, and Granvia does this in every area from its stylish looks to its refined and functional cabin,” he said.

“The Granvia is an all-new vehicle from the ground up and as a premium people-mover it provides private and corporate customers with the highest levels of safety, comfort, and luxury features that they demand in this segment.”

All new Toyotas come with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, while the Granvia also benefits from Toyota’s capped-price servicing program, which is limited to $240 per service over the first six visits, with intervals every six months or 10,000km.