Toyota New Zealand has launched a derivative of the Hiace van that is likely to take on European-sourced ‘premium’ people movers.
The new Granvia, a name seen here before on Japanese-import people movers, is based on the shorter-wheelbase version of commercial van, though with a new level of comfort inside and revised exterior styling.
The brand says it will to both high-end family, hospitality, and corporate buyers – putting it head-to-head with the Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes-Benz Valente and Ford Transit Tourneo.
The Granvia is priced at $67,990 driveway, including a tank of fuel, 1000km of RUC and fixed price servicing. That makes it $6000 more than a Ford Transit Tourneo, $4000 more than a Volkswagen Caravelle and $2000 less than a Mercedes-Benz Valente – though the Granvia offers more space and features than the European options at those prices.
TNZ chief operating officer Neeraj Lala boasts the Granvia offers a long list of safety features alongside its comfort credentials.
“Granvia provides high levels of safety with an almost limousine-like feeling of cabin comfort and refinement for passengers,” he said.
“It’s a premium addition to our comprehensive van line-up.”
Differentiating the Granvia externally from the Hiace are a painted front and rear bumpers, chrome grille, foglight, side skirts, rear spoiler, unique tail lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.
There are four exterior colours available; Crystal Pearl, Ebony, Graphite and Silver Pearl.
The Granvia shares its 2.8-litre diesel engine and 6-speed automatic with the Hiace and Hilux, though it gets a new four-coil rear suspension.
Seating is for eight, featuring a rear cabin with four individual reclining and sliding captain’s chairs with armrests and a fourth row with a 60:40 split two-seater bench seat. The 60:40 split rear bench seat includes a tip-up function that allows an increase in luggage capacity.
The interior trim feels more premium SUV than commercial van, with soft black finishes, metallic black instrument panel ornamentation, leather steering wheel and stitching detail on the soft touch upper instrument panel.
Comfort features include front and rear climate controls, smart entry and push button start, power sliding rear side doors, a digital rear view mirror and multi-media system with a 7” touch screen – still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto though.
The audio system includes 6 speakers and Satellite Navigation with SUNA Traffic Channel. The Granvia also has 6 rear USB charging ports to charge portable devices.
Safety features include Toyota’s ‘Safety Sense’ suite. This includes a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure with brake control, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, trailer sway control, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera.
Granvia is fitted with nine airbags including driver’s and front passenger, driver’s knee, front seat side, front and rear curtain shield airbags.
The Granvia is one of the few vehicles available with ISOFIX and tether points for child seats available in four seating positions.
