Pricing and (more of the) local specifications for the Toyota Granvia have been detailed by the automaker’s Australian arm. The long-awaited replacement for the Tarago family mover has been confirmed to cost from $62,990, not including on-road costs.
A total of four variants are offered, split between either the aforementioned standard ‘Granvia’ and the more well-appointed VX, and each will be offered with either 6- or 8-seats with the latter carrying a $2,000 premium its lower grade form.
Those who recall the Tarago might be taken aback by the steep increase in price of entry as the Granvia starts at almost $18,000 more. While true and undeniable, the Granvia is positioned to attack prey higher up the food chain than the likes of the Kia Carnival and Honda Odyssey.
Toyota has set sights on the more luxurious, executive-class people movers such as the Mercedes-Benz Valente, unsurprising given its more boxy aesthetic. The only other competition might come from the Volkswagen Multivan and, awkwardly, the Toyota Alphard - though, the latter is not meant to seat as many and is locally unavailable.
The Granvia is built from rather humble ingredients as it shares underpinnings with the HiAce H300, but sheds this association with a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension for the kind of ride refinement you’d expect at this price point.
Among the two possible seating configurations, the six-seater is the more comfort-oriented of the pair, offering commodiously wide captain’s chair seating for all second and third row occupants, and even a dedicated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
In the range-topping VX, Toyota tops things off with quilted-leather upholstery, a panoramic view monitor, 12-speaker Pioneer sound system, and dual powered sliding doors. Provided one has a willing driver, it all looks like a lovely way to cruise down a highway.
Should said driver be less than entirely competent, the Granvia is also equipped with Toyota’s pre-collision safety system (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detecting during daytime and night. Additionally, there are nine airbags, active cruise control, all-round parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera, and blind-spot monitoring.
This pricing reveal indicates the Granvia is still on track for a showroom debut next month, but unfortunately Toyota remains tight-lipped on detailing its mechanicals, leaving us to fall back on the educated guess that a sole engine and transmission will be responsible for locomotion on all variants.
At least at launch, all Granvias should be powered by a 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder and paired to a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Familiar, as it’s the same combination found on the HiAce van where it generates 130kW and 420Nm.
Next matter is, how long until Hyundai puts their iMax through a similarly posh rework to combat this new Toyota, maybe even slap on a Genesis badge on it if and when it faces off against the upcoming Lexus LM?
- Granvia (6-seat) - $62,990
- Granvia (8-seat) - $64,990
- Granvia VX (6-seat) - $74,990
- Granvia VX (8-seat) - $74,990
