Review of Toyota Granvia LX inspires fans of all ages

Luxurious Toyota Granvia LX van has rapidly gained a following with lounge-like chairs and opulent cabin finishes

Impressing teenagers must be among the toughest assignments nowadays.

Labelled “dope” and “lit”, the Toyota Granvia has proven itself an attention grabber for all the right reasons.

Four luxurious seats which have electric-powered ottomans and can lay back like business-class on a long-haul flight have struck a chord with the youngsters and older generations.

Half a hockey team loaded up for one game an hour away, with the crew loving the experience.

“When we win, we travel in style” was the comment posted by one on social media accompanied by a photo stretched out in the leather-clad chair.

The Granvia has been the surprise-packet of 2021. Despite coming off the same platform as a HiAce workhorse, the people-mover VX version is anything but pedestrian.

Grandeur comes standard in this variant. While there are eight-seaters available, it’s the six-seater version that is fit for royalty.

Primarily designed for the luxury transport market, our family has embraced its extravagance – and so have friends. Spending time in back is the preference for most … this is a vehicle where you prefer to the be passenger with those spectacular electric-powered recliners that also have a heating function.

Other inclusions are a woodgrain look across the steering wheel and cabin, smartphone mirroring apps integrated into the seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, CD player stereo with 12 speakers, satnav, seven USB ports, power driver’s seat and electric dual sliding side doors.

This is where you want to be, riding in style up the back of the Toyota Granvia VX.

Not only has the Granvia transported a crowd, it’s attracted them too. During a beach visit there were onlookers keen to checkout the van’s wares – most expected a price pushing past $100,000.

One Japanese woman was proud to hear it came from Toyota and was surprised to hear it wasn’t independently imported.

Despite the frame measuring more than 5m, the driving experience is relatively simple and relaxed with slightly greater care required around corners to avoid “chopping” wheels on kerbs.

The diesel engine is strong and steady acceleration from standstill.

From start-up the oil-burner emanates the traditional clatter, but once warm proves smooth and quiet.

Fuel consumption has hovered around 10 litres/100km over more than 3000km of varying driving conditions.

The Toyota Granvia VX is a luxurious people-mover.

TOYOTA GRANVIA

PRICE $81,136 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICING 5-year unlimited km warranty, servicing $2450 for 5 years

ENGINE 2.8-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 130kW/ 450Nm, rear-wheel drive

CONSUMPTION 8.0L/100km

SPARE Full-size

BOOT Depends on seating configuration

SAFETY 5 stars, 9 airbags, AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control