2020 Toyota Granvia - First impression

After retiring the Toyota Tarago from its fleet of cars, Toyota introduced the Granvia, which is more stylish, more comfortable, more advanced and more luxurious. And auto enthusiasts across the globe including us, are more than happy. Who won’t be? The new MPV is more premium and sophisticated than the Tarago. While the latter was positioned against the likes of the Kia Carnival and the Honda Odyssey, the new and modern-looking Granvia is now a prime rival to the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the Volkswagen Multivan.

Based on the Toyota Hiace commercial van, the Granvia is sturdy, safe and unique in its own way. Don’t assume it to offer the experience similar to Hiace, as the only thing inside the cabin Granvia and Hiace share is the general structure of the dashboard. Aside from that, everything is exclusive in the 2020 Toyota Granvia. 

In the UAE market, Toyota Granvia Price starts at AED 177,000 for base model SE, while its range-topping Premium model retails at AED 199,900. 

With so many things to discuss, here’s our take as the first impression of the 2020 Toyota Granvia.

Outside

The Granvia embodies elegance and sophistication. While the chrome garnishing all around gives it a stunning look, the pronounced character lines over the sides and at the back make up for its chiselled avatar. The front is attractive, with multi-layered chrome slats at the centre, of which the lower one goes all the way down to connect the registration plate. There is a front lip connecting chrome-housed fog lamps that adds to its front profile big time. The front dominating grille is flanked by LED headlamps which come with patterns that can grab eyeballs at once. 

The ORVMs also get chrome treatment which adds to the premium look of the MPV. Over the sides, there is a chrome bar at the bottom that runs all the way to the back wrapping around the edges. The L-shaped taillights and a rectangular door-like tailgate give the MPV a commanding rear look.

Inside

The interior is all decked up. Fine woodgrain trim and metallic finishing make the MPV as pleasing as it can be from the inside. With four captain seats as standard out of a seating capacity of six, the Granvia becomes the first-in-class vehicle to offer it. The cabin gets benefitted from adjustable interior illumination that plays with the mood of occupants.

At the centre, there is a large 7.0-inch infotainment system to take care of your entertainment needs while you are on the move. The three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel is a handy and must-have in the MPV for quick accessibility and distraction-free drive. The 4.2-inch instrument cluster is bright and well laid-out to provide essential vehicle details to the driver.

What’s interesting is there is the digital rearview mirror that allows you to monitor the rear side with ease without worrying about the amount of luggage placed behind the third row.  

Moreover, Toyota Granvia specs also include an air conditioning system which incorporates ion generators, powered by nanotechnology to get rid of odours and bacteria. 

On the storage front, you’d find compartments across the cabin to store your essentials ranging from doors to dash to centre area between the driver and co-passenger seats. The luggage space at the back is quite satisfactory, comes with a capacity to accommodate up to four golf bags. 

Engine and Drive

Driving the Granvia is the V6 direct-injection 3.5-litre petrol engine that is capable of putting out 277 PS of power and 351 Nm of torque. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission system. 

MacPherson front suspension and a four-link rear unit handle suspension duties on the MPV. The setup is good to provide a stress-free and stable ride. The ride quality is premium for all occupants, whether driven around the city or on the long expressways. However, it would feel sensitive with a light load of occupants. 

Despite a long, unconventional structure, visibility should not be a matter of concern. Thanks to the digital rearview mirror, big windscreen, elevated seating position and tall glasses on the sides. 

Safety

Keeping in mind the safety of all six occupants, Toyota has incorporated it with standard features like airbags (front, knee and curtain), emergency brake warning, tyre pressure monitoring system, cruise control, hill assist control and parking sensors. The range-topping model is equipped with additional features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure assist, blind-spot monitoring, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera and pre-crash system.

The 2020 Toyota Granvia looks spectacular from every angle. It has the set of features a modern MPV should have. Its stiff frame, sturdy structure and reliable power unit underneath, lend plenty of confidence to the driver. Seems to be a complete package with Toyota reliability on its back.

Also read: Toyota Land Cruiser sales crossed 10 million units