Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine

The long-awaited arrival of the Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine promises to pick up where the old Grand Starex Limousine left off in a major way by delivering first-class comfort for wealthy clients from Seoul to Busan while offering the same experiences as its normal equivalent.

2023 Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine

2023 Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine

Starting at 57,920,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the Staria Lounge Limousine is the replacement for the aging but ultra-luxurious Grand Starex Limousine that promises to pick up where its predecessor left off. Like the normal Staria, it's front-wheel-drive, meaning it's less enjoyable to drive than the old Grand Starex Limousine but who cares. While the normal Staria is built for family use, the Limousine variant is all about catering to celebrities, VIPs, and influencers like a true professional. Whether it's a Blue House politician or a K-celebrity, the Staria Lounge Limousine fits the bill.

For starters, it looks like the Staria Lounge but the Limousine features a high roof, sidestep, and 18-inch wheels, making it easier to differentiate it from the normal Staria Lounge, although it still looks regular when parked in fancy hotels. As for the interior...

2023 Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine interior

2023 Hyundai Staria Lounge Limousine interior

...it still packs the same minimalist dashboard as the normal Staria Lounge but the Limousine is loaded with luxurious features that will keep them occupied such as a movable console positioned between the second-row ottoman seats, a starry sky lamp above, and a rear entertainment system where you can screen mirroring stuff with your smartphone and others. It is offered in a choice of either a seven or a nine-seater.

The Staria Lounge Limousine is available only with a 2.2L VGT diesel engine that produces 177PS of power and 44kgf-m of torque. Mated to an 8-speed automatic, it has a combined fuel economy of a questionable 10km/L.

As expected, the Staria Lounge Limousine is prepared for the worst thanks to Hyundai's Smartsense range of safety tech.

The Staria Lounge Limousine is the ideal alternative for the now-defunct Toyota Alphard Royal Lounge because even though the Alphard trumps the Staria Lounge Limousine, it's going to be the next favorite for those who are looking for luxury minivans.

Before you ask, no. As of now, the official Hyundai distributor in the Philippines, HARI, has no plans to introduce the Staria range at the moment, although smugglers managed to smuggle the Staria without HARI's consent, giving headaches to the Bureau of Customs trying to catch the smuggled luxury cars scattered across Philippine roads. Unless HARI decides to bring the Staria to the Philippines to replace the Grand Starex, don't even try smuggling this Staria to the Philippines or the Bureau of Customs will crush it for sure.

Photo: Hyundai

4th Generation Toyota Noah and Voxy (R90W)

Toyota kicks off the year 2022 with the all-new, fourth-generation Noah and Voxy minivans, the latest generation of Toyota's best-selling, family-oriented minivans that promise to be the most enjoyable, most comfortable, and the most practical minivans ever made, not to mention being the most stylish minivans of this decade of the new normal.

2023 Toyota Noah

2023 Toyota Voxy

The fourth-generation Noah and its stylish derivative known as the Voxy, which starts at 2.67 million Yen plus additional costs, are all-new from the ground up because these minivans are now running on the TNGA platform to adapt themselves to the new normal. More with that later on but first, the design.

Starting on the Noah, the exterior design looks vaguely similar to the late Mazda Biante of the distant past, probably because of the massive front grille that spoils its family-oriented appeal but that's just the start of the story because, for the first time, the new model ditched the Noah emblem in favor of the Toyota logo, akin to the current-generation Harrier crossover. The Voxy, meanwhile, is a mixture of swagger and flatter that leaves observers confused, mainly because of the combination of the massive front grille, split headlamps, and foglamps reminiscent of the Arena logo, just like the one found on the Kia K8.

2023 Toyota Noah interior

2203 Toyota Voxy interior

Now, let's talk about the new interior. Beginning on the driver's side, the dashboard saw the climate control repositioned below the touch screen while the gear lever, which takes charge of its CVT, gets a redesign for this generation. Although nothing special, it still works as most minivans should and is user-friendly as usual. The one thing to watch out for is its T-Connect service with the "Hey, Toyota" voice control feature that works like Amazon Alexa. This spells trouble for those sitting in its sweet spot. On the plus side, there's wi-fi connectivity on it.

In terms of space, because it's wider and higher than the previous model, it's surprisingly roomier than ever, which isn't too shabby for a three-row minivan of its size. The seven-seater variant is the easiest to live with because of its easy access to the third-row seats, enough to hit its sweet spot of course. Best of all, you can even spec it with ottoman seats, which is perfect for those who can't afford an Alphard. The eight-seater variant, meanwhile, is the ultimate expression of a family carrier but it's guaranteed to give you some muscle aches while trying to get through the third-row seats when Mom and Dad stuffed the second-row seats with ISOFIX child seats. Ouch.

For added convenience, the all-new Noah and Voxy minivans received a Toyota-first Power Back Door Switch, which is located on one of the slides, and the world's first Free Stop Back Door that can be manually held in the middle position.

Like the previous generation, there are two powertrains to choose from. The M20A-FKS 2.0L Dynamic Force engine with Direct Shift-CVT produces 170PS of power, 202Nm of torque, and up to 15.1kmpl of fuel economy. The hybrid variant, meanwhile, uses a combination of a 2ZR-FXE 1.8L petrol engine, CVT, an electric motor (one for FF, two for 4WD), and a Li-ion battery. This setup promises 23.4kmpl of fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards, which is surprisingly more than the Nissan Serena e-Power as expected.

With the new TNGA platform, front MacPherson struts, rear coil springs, ventilated disc brakes, and electric power steering, the all-new Noah and Voxy feel better to drive than the previous models, although they feel regular as usual. Nothing to be excited about. Just a minivan doing minivan things. Speaking of minivan things, the all-new Noah and Voxy come with Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of advanced driving aids, as well as the Advanced Park feature. It even features the Toyota-first Remote Park feature that can be remotely parked by using a smartphone.

And there you have it. The all-new Noah and Voxy minivans are now officially the best evolution of Toyota's best-selling family-oriented minivans yet because of their spacious interior and heaps of tech. Although the designs are rather bourgeois and questionable, they're worth trying out. The year 2022 will see Japan's big three launching new family-oriented minivans and Toyota is the first to blow the war trumpet with the arrival of the all-new Noah and Voxy minivans. With Toyota making its first move, how will Honda and Nissan respond to it?

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Mercedes-Benz Citan MFK

The Kangoo-based Mercedes-Benz Citan minivan is now on its second generation and it's hard to say how does the fancied-up German equivalent of today's Renault Kangoo fare up to this new normal. Either way, it's going to feel much the same way as the previous Citan. Anyway, let's investigate.

Priced at 19,980 Euros plus additional costs, the front-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz Citan minivan is a Renault Kangoo in Stuttgart's eyes that caters through various lifestyles the family man can take on. For work or for a family getaway, the all-new Citan is ready to take on whatever life throws at it.

Starting with the exterior, the all-new Citan looks just like the third-generation Renault Kangoo as expected but the face has been altered to Mercedes's tastes, giving the impression that the French favorite camper van has gone the German route, whatever the reason.

Like the new Kangoo, the new Citan is bigger and roomier than its predecessor, making this five-seater high-roof minivan more accommodating than ever. With the added room being the plus point for the new Citan, the one annoying feature that made no one safe, especially if you're in its sweet zone, is its voice control in its MBUX. It works just like the Amazon Alexa so approach with caution, kids.

Under the hood, the new Citan is powered by a choice of petrol and diesel engines with the most powerful bearing the 1.3L petrol engine with 131PS of power, 240Nm of torque, and while mated to the 6-speed manual gearbox, which sounds good for those who love manual gearboxes, it has a 0-100kph time of 12 seconds and a top speed of 183kph. Kiss your Hiace goodbye.

Like the new Kangoo, the added sizing feels a bit of a letdown for the new Citan but it's quiet, it's smooth, and overall, not a bad minivan to drive. It's also safer as well because of its host of ADAS.

Like the previous model, the all-new Citan feels just like the all-new Renault Kangoo, and with its bigger sizing, more spacious interior, and added tech, you should be appreciated that this could be your next camper van on a budget, although you might face a crucial choice if you already owned the third-generation Renault Kangoo. Whatever the reason, the new Citan is set to become every German family's best friend and with such pricing, it's a real bargain.

Photo: Daimler AG

Renault Kangoo III

The Renault Kangoo is known to be the ideal lifestyle minivan for the typical European outdoorsman for almost two decades since the first one was launched in 1997. With the arrival of the third-generation model, the all-new Kangoo is ready to cater to families and small businesses alike with its sharp styling, new interior, new sliding doors, bigger storage space, honest powertrains, and tech. Let's have a quick look at the all-new model.

With prices starting at 25,150 Euros plus additional costs, the third-generation Renault Kangoo delivers the same recipe as its predecessors but with new and interesting ways and means to keep European families and small businesses accommodated for more, unless some wire-wearing Japanese Kangoo fanatics are eavesdropping on almost 10,000km away from Tokyo to Paris, wishing they want to get their hands on this new model.

Starting with the design, the new Kangoo ditches its cutesy round styling from its predecessors in favor of a more conservative approach, which means serious business for one of Europe's most practical high-roof minivans. Serious the design is, the new model is surprisingly bigger than the previous model. It's now 206mm longer, 89mm wider, and 28mm taller than before. Although bigger in size, it's hard to complain about the added practicality the new model delivers and this is where its interior comes into play.

Speaking of the roof, the new Kangoo features innovative roof racks that can turn transversal without effort. Handy if you got something to put some stuff up.

Thanks to its added dimensions, the all-new Kangoo is roomier than the previous model, making this five-seater high-roof minivan more accommodating than ever. Not only the new model works as a family mover, but it can also be an effective workhorse because of its increased boot space, making it capable of doing logistics on a daily basis. In daily life, the new interior is all about working and playing without leaving them dull, but when a day off comes, the new Kangoo shows its practical side, making weekend trips more exciting for typical Europeans spending their weekends elsewhere on the open.

Of course, being set in the new normal, if you're a speedo boy, the touch screen is the one thing you'll be worrying about because there are no buttons on it.

The third-generation Kangoo is offered a choice of TCe and BLUE dCi engines with manual and automatic gearboxes at launch with an electrified version to follow. The most powerful version of the Kangoo is powered by a 1.3L TCe engine producing 130PS of power and 240Nm of torque. With a six-speed manual gearbox, which sounds cheesy for a minivan like this, it does 0-100kph in 12.9 seconds and has a top speed of 183kph. Your Honda Freed and Toyota Sienta can't do that!

In terms of dynamics, the added sizing feels a bit of a letdown for the new Kangoo but in terms of comfort, Renault spent a lot of manpower to deliver its sensible experience families can expect. It's quiet, it's smooth, and overall, not a bad minivan to drive. The only thing you'll be worrying about is your curiosity...and up to 14 driver assistance systems offered on the new Kangoo.

The new Kangoo has reshaped Renault's most practical high roof minivan to the era of the new normal with its bigger sizing, more spacious interior, and added tech. For family trips or for work, this new Kangoo is begging to be driven on European roads, just to show them it's as appropriate as an appropriate associate.

If you have one and enjoyed its practicality, you'd better doublethink before slapping the rear sides with stickers as most Japanese Kangoo owners do. Enjoy!

Photo: Renault

Hyundai Staria

A long time ago, there was a Korean-made minivan that withstood the test of time since it was first launched in the '90s. That minivan is known as the Starex and after 24 years of being together with families and the establishment, the time has come to say goodbye to such a wonderful minivan, which is rather a bittersweet moment for loyalists, and the turn of this decade welcomes its worthy successor.

2022 Hyundai Staria

2022 Hyundai Staria Lounge

Welcome to the Hyundai Staria, the worthy successor to the successful Starex minivan. It starts at 25,160,000 Korean Won, which is pricey compared to the Starex but there's something unique about this new minivan offering from Hyundai.

2022 Hyundai Staria Lounge

First, let's take a close look at its exterior, and at first glance, it can be utterly mistaken for a concept car of some sort but this is not a concept car. This is a fully functional minivan you can buy and you don't buy this minivan for its looks. You buy it for the convenience and comfort of it and such characteristics are what the Staria is built for.

Come to think of it, the normal Staria's design is about as slim as the first-generation Toyota Estima while the Staria Lounge's design is too much to bear because of its massive front grille not suitable for those with trypophobia.

2022 Hyundai Staria interior

While the concept car-inspired design is either futuristic or questionable, the interior is what the Staria champions the most, nearly. On the driver's side, you will notice that it's got two screens on the dashboard with the first that proudly displays its speedo and other vehicle info around it while the massive one is where the sat-nav and the climate control on it. Speaking of the latter, it's a touch panel screen that is about as fancy as an LG Signature appliance you bought at the appliance store. Normal Staria variants have a normal gear shifter while the more expensive Lounge variants get gear buttons in place of a lever like the most expensive Hyundais had today as well as paddle shifters on the steering wheel because why not?

The passenger side is where the real story begins. On the normal variants, you can have a choice of a nine-seater, or in the hopes of bringing the best out of the Staria, an eleven-seater. The Lounge, meanwhile, has a choice of either a seven-seater or a nine-seater and they do come with swiveling second-row seats that its main rival, the Toyota GranAce, doesn't have.

Whether if it's a family trip to Ilocos, a school service, a taxi for those who are done shopping at the mall, a limousine to escort VIPs, or for making deliveries, looks like the Staria almost ticks all the boxes rather well just like the Starex it replaces.

2022 Hyundai Staria

Under the hood, the Staria is fitted with a choice of a 2.2 VGT diesel engine or a Smartstresm LPG 3.5L engine. The diesel engine produces 177PS of power, 44kgf-m of torque, and a combined fuel economy of 10.8kmpl. The 3.5L LPG, meanwhile, produces 240PS of power and 32kgf-m of torque. They're all mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Unlike the Starex, the Staria is a front-wheel-drive minivan that prefers to go on a smooth route rather than being dynamic, which is a bit of a shame for those who've owned the Starex because of the drivetrain but dynamics wasn't on the Staria's agenda like most minivans. It's all about stability and subtleness that makes minivans work all the time and the Staria is no exception.

Of course, if you're not happy with the FF layout, you can opt-in for the HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system that makes it capable of handling a rainy day scenario.

In the topic of safety, the Staria is prepared for the worst thanks to Hyundai's Smartsense range of safety tech.

The Hyundai Staria may have the most questionable looks that can be easily mistaken for a concept car and the Lounge's grille not suitable for people with trypophobia but the convenience is the real trump card for this Starex replacement. It really is the minivan you've been waiting for and looks like someone's itching to buy one because one believes this is a decent GranAce rival that will give it a run for its money.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Mercedes-Benz EQV

After the success of the first-ever Mercedes EQC electric crossover, the Mercedes EQ range welcomes their second offering and it's basically the electrified version of the V-Class luxury minivan called the EQV.

So, what's it all about the EQV? This 71,388 Euro luxury minivan is Mercedes' first purely battery-electric people mover in the premium segment, first envisioned from the Concept EQV as seen at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

As a dream come true for this electric luxury minivan, the styling of the EQV is almost identical to the concept version it was based on and while it was inch-perfect, the sad news is that the illuminating grille from the concept has been eschewed in favor of a normal one. Shame.

On the interior, it's surprisingly similar to the one found on the V-Class, meaning it's relatively more spacious and more convenient for VIPs from all walks of life, something that will put the likes of the Toyota Alphard and the Hyundai Grand Starex to shame. On the driver's side, expect talk marathons on the go because of the MBUX with the annoying intelligent voice control that works like an Amazon Alexa. One "Hey Mercedes" and the madness begin. Ugh. So much for sitting on its sweet spot, which is the key point of the EQV minivan. Speaking of sweet spots, you can opt-in for swiveling seats on the second row, making road trips with this minivan a fancy living. Something that will keep Boss Madam entertained for more even when she's taking power naps if you know what I mean.

The EQV's electric powertrain features an EM6001 electric motor and a 100kWh battery capacity that delivers 204PS of power output, 362Nm of torque output, and a driving range of 356km based on WLTP standards. The top speed is about 140kph.

When plugged at home, it will take up to ten hours to fully charge its batteries but when charged on a super-quick public charging station, it will take less than an hour to fully charge it.

In terms of dynamics, the EQV feels somewhat heavy to drive because of the weight or judging by the fact that it's a front-wheel-drive MPV just like the V-Class but as a people carrier, it feels smooth, quiet, and downright luxurious like what a real luxury minivan should. Let's not forget the safety tech implemented into the EQV and while it's worth noticing, it feels right for the electric minivan of its size.

While the pricing is too much to bear for the luxury electric minivan, the Mercedes EQV is all about satisfying families and VIPs with its luxurious interior and electric powertrain that will never leave an impact while driving. It's something that it's worth fantasizing about if you're imagining one of the sweet spots you will land your bottom on and ended up with the "out on a limo" feeling. This is a luxury electric minivan that is worth any price.

Photo: Daimler AG

Suzuki Solio/Mitsubishi Delica D:2 (MA37S/27S)

The Suzuki Solio or Mitsubishi Delica D:2 in case you went to your nearest Mitsubishi dealer, has been regenerated to its newest generation and whether you like it or not, the new model promises to deliver the same convenience delivered from its predecessors. Small on size, big on space, fuel-efficient, it's the compact minivan that fits through Japan's driving conditions in the midst of the new normal.

Starting at 1,515,800 Japanese Yen (or 1,883,200 Yen if you're in a Mitsubishi dealer for a reason), the new model still offers a choice of two different styles such as the normal and the more stylish Bandit/Custom. Whichever style you go for, you are still welcomed by its modest space and fuel efficiency that is worth questioning.

Looking through the exterior design, the normal Solio/Delica D:2 looks more like a first-gen Spacia Custom when you squint your eyes hard while taking a closer look while the Solio Bandit/Delica D:2 Custom looks more like a Peugeot SUV with some Genesis-esque headlamps on it. Either way, they're still as boxy as their predecessors and they're similarly sized as well, although it's now 20mmm wider than the old one. Good.

Because the new models are now wider than the previous model, you can expect some more room on the interior for up to four people to get themselves accommodated. While the new dashboard is a bit above average for the owners, its added width makes it slightly roomier for either single-child families, joyriders, or even deliverymen using it to deliver the goods to customers. This small minivan works with all walks of life, well, almost.

The new Solio/Delica D:2 still runs on Suzuki's Mild Hybrid technology that works in tandem with SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY. It's the same K12C Dual Jet engine producing 91PS of power and 118Nm of torque, while coupled with an Integrated Starter Generator, Lithium-ion Battery, an updated idling stop system, and CVT like the previous model. Fuel economy? An honest 19.6kmpl based on WLTC mode standards. Don't worry, they're not exaggerating like last time because this was proven in the real world, I believe. Sadly, no full hybrid on the lineup but why bother?

Both the Solio and the Delica D:2 are offered with mild-hybrid tech but if you're itching for the one with the normal K12C engine without the mild hybrid bits, you'd be better of with the Solio. Either way, in terms of dynamics, thanks to whatever the heck they've done, the new models now weigh over a ton so you might expect that the handling's suffered from the added weight but it didn't bother anyway.

Of course, you can still expect front MacPherson struts and an old-fashioned rear torsion beam as usual so expect the handling to be pretty average for a compact minivan like this but because it now runs on Suzuki's HEARTECT platform, the new Solio/Delica D:2 feels more of an improvement compared to the previous model.

The new Solio/Delica D:2 features a new version of SUZUKI SAFETY SUPPORT, which is a suite of safety features such as Lane Departure Warning function, wandering alarm function, high beam assist, sign recognition function, advance car departure notice function, dual sensor brake support, false start suppression, brake support, backward error start suppression, and more. It's the safest Solio/Delica D:2 offered for those who are willing to get back from another tough day at the office.

And there you have it. The new Solio/Delica D:2 is starting to feel like it's been improved despite the lack of a proper hybrid variant. With the added width, honest fuel efficiency, the added safety, and improved dynamics thanks to its HEARTECT platform, this tiny minivan's evolved.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation/Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Kia Carnival (KA4)

Since 1998, the Kia Carnival is a minivan that tries to be the little brother of the Hyundai Starex. As the current Hyundai Grand Starex is aging like a bonafide senior citizen, the Carnival keeps changing and with this fourth-generation model, the all-new Carnival is going to be the best Carnival ever made because of its sharp styling, more family-oriented interior, new tech, new performance, and new levels in safety, resulting to a minivan that nearly matches the same level as the Toyota Alphard but without all the drama involved.

2021 Kia Carnival

Here it is, the all-new, fourth-generation Kia Carnival. Priced at 31,600,000 Korean Won (around US$ 27,000), the all-new Carnival retains the same family-friendly comforts as its predecessors but with new and exciting features that made the new model the ideal alternative to rivals from the Rising Sun.

2021 Kia Carnival

One look at its design and you'll know that the new Carnival is all about business and leisure compared to its previous model because judging by its gaudy front grille that has a teething impression of an elementary school girl with acne on her face and braces on her tooth. Scary but the side view is reminiscent of 90's Japanese MPVs and the rear view is anything but basic to them. In short, the new model bears a love-it-or-hate-it impression on the outside but the design is not really the case for the new model because the true beauty of the fourth-generation model is the spacious interior.

2021 Kia Carnival interior

The new Carnival's interior really fits the "Connecting Hub" slogan very well because with so much high-tech conveniences offered, the passenger side is what sparked interests of many. Of course, you can have a seven-seater, a nine-seater, or for the ultimate in road-tripping, an 11-seater. The choices are quite surprising at first but the latter two are so much unrivaled because of the fourth-row seats. If the new Carnival is made to compete Japan's most luxurious minivans, you should go for the seven-seater variant because of the second-row seats that offered can be reclined just like what you expect from a Toyota Alphard or a Honda Odyssey. Couple that with some optional extras like a rear-seat entertainment system and the result is a very accommodating minivan.

On the driver's side, you are greeted by a host of features such as an optional sat-nav, smartphone connectivity, climate control, Kakao i, high-tech intstrumental cluster, a rotary shift knob that speedo boys called it worthless, lots of space to store your stuff, and many other features that will keep you occupied for more.

Boot space? It's identical to the previous model but the addition of fourth-row seating means no more unless you fold them down for more. Quite a hassle but this is how minivans roll these days.

2021 Kia Carnival

Under the hood, the 4th generation Carnival offers two new choice of engines such as the more powerful Smartstream G3.5 V6 engine with 294PS of power and the Smartstream D2.2 diesel engine that delivers 202PS of power, 45kg-m of torque, and 13.1km/L of combined fuel economy, enough for trips from Muntinlupa to the floating restaurant somewhere in the south and back.

Because it utilizes on a third-generation platform as well as MDPS, the new Carnival is now better to drive and better to live with than its predecessor and durable as well. It maybe worth the bulk than today's Sorento but it works like any other minivan should, no doubt. As for safety, the new Carnival hosts a wide array of safety tech under the Drive Wise banner but I'll leave it here.

2021 Kia Carnival

Based on experience, anyone who bought a new Sorento may have to think twice before trading one for the new Carnival because despite the new Carnival being more pricey than the Sorento, the new Carnival offers a lot of stuff that the Sorento can't and with that, you might want to consider this instead of the new Sorento.

The new Carnival, thanks to its new platform, new interior, new design, new technology, and new packaging, is a surefire sign to say that Kia's on a roll because while it's becoming more of a threat against its Japanese rivals, the same family-friendly feeling that past models bore still remains, making it the ideal Korean minivan for all walks of life. For work or for play, the new Carnival is all about getting the job done from start to finish and for anyone who has experience with past Carnival models, this is the best Carnival ever made.

Photo: Kia Motors

2nd Gen Mitsubishi eK Space/3rd Gen Nissan Roox

The kei minivans made under the NMKV joint venture, the Mitsubishi eK Space and the Nissan Roox, have been regenerated for their newest generation, and for this latest generation, these new models are ready to set right all the things that went wrong with their previous generations by delivering honest-to-goodness space, better efficiency, safety, and looks, in the midst of this new normal.

2021 Mitsubishi eK Space

2021 Mitsubishi eK X Space

2021 Nissan Roox

Like the recent smaller equivalents, both the new eK Space and the new Roox are still made by Mitsubishi as part of the NMKV joint venture and even though they look different, they're still the same kei minivans you now see fit.

2021 Mitsubishi eK Space

2021 Mitsubishi eK X Space

2021 Nissan Roox

Keeping in tradition, both the eK Space and Roox featured different styles to choose from. On the Mitsubishi side, there's the normal eK Space for those who are looking for something simple and then there's the eK X (Cross) Space for those who want something outdoorsy. On the Nissan side, the Roox is offered in base and the more stylish Highway Star variant. Either way, they're still good to go for people on the go.

2021 Mitsubishi eK Space interior

2021 Mitsubishi eK Space interior

2021 Nissan Roox interior

Like the previous models, both models are tall enough to let occupants stretch themselves on the inside and that is a good thing because these models offer generous rear legroom and ample spacing fit for all kinds of stuff to do. Whether you can use it for family outings or for small business purposes, even TNVS things, both the new eK Space and the new Roox can do just that decently. And thanks to the fact that it comes with a hands-free sliding door, it's more user-friendly as well.

For more expensive models, you can expect some noticeable stuff you may find, well, noticeable, such as the back table at the back of the front seats, paddle shifters for turbocharged variants, keyless entry, touch panel aircon, and others.

2021 Mitsubishi eK X Space

2021 Nissan Roox

On the performance side, they're still fit enough for city use and because they're small, they can squeeze through places big minivans can't get through. That's because underneath, these kei minivans feature Rack & Pinion steering, front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beams, front ventilated disc brakes, rear reading trailing brakes, and other chassis refinements. With that, they're still decent to drive out from the home and into the city centers.

These models come with a 660cc BR06 three-cylinder DOHC 12V ECI engine bolted with a tiny electric motor and a CVT gearbox. This engine can produce from 52 to 64ps of power and judging from its fuel economy, it's a WLTP-calculated 20.8kmpl, which in outdated JC08 mode standards, is less fuel efficient than its main rival, the Suzuki Spacia.

Safety-wise, both the eK Space and Roox offered a wide range of safety tech from e-Assist to MI-PILOT. Too much information.

The new eK Space starts at 1,399,200 Japanese Yen (around $14,000) while the new Roox starts at 1,416,000 Japanese Yen (around $14,200). They're still cheaper to own than the bigger minivans, making them a fair value in the new normal. So, if you have a choice between them, which one will you choose and why? Because both the new eK Space and the new Roox are typically the same cars, your mystic other-worldly powers will help you decide.

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation/Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Toyota GranAce

Thought by some to be the ideal replacement for the aging HiAce Wagon, the brand-new Toyota GranAce is the biggest luxury van offered on Japanese roads and such size will make its little brothers beg to believe that this newest offering brings out the big guns for those who are living a fancy life doing fancy things and looks like it's going to be a mouth-watering experience for those who can't wait to slap themselves to its sweet spot.

2020 Toyota GranAce

The first-ever Toyota GranAce is priced at a very expensive 6,200,000 Yen (around 62,000 Dollars) so with that kind of price tag, you can have two Voxys and a Pixis Epoch for the price of one GranAce with some extra change for some. Although it is the most expensive Toyota minibus offered in the lineup, there's no stopping the monster price tag from attracting potential high rollers and ASEAN smugglers into this new level of luxury.

2020 Toyota GranAce

Checking on the design, the GranAce's massive grille really shows its true colors as a luxury minivan that is as close as you can get to the Alphard, which is cheaper than the GranAce and better to live with. Unlike the HiAce Wagon, the GranAce utilizes a semi-bonnet form rather than a box type for health and safety purposes. Because of its new form, it's hard to distinguish if it's a van or a minivan but either way, it's worth fantasizing to have a minute of silence when you see one passing by the City of Dreams or Resorts World. It's the new van of choice for celebrities, you know.

2020 Toyota GranAce interior

2020 Toyota GranAce interior

The GranAce's biggest trump card is the interior and being bigger than the Alphard, the GranAce is no doubt one of the most luxurious vans offered on the market whether it is a six-seater or an eight-seater, there's so much to love about the GranAce's interior because the sweet spot's right in front of you and when you take a seat, you can really rest easy while you and your family are having a road trip to Tagaytay or the floating restaurant somewhere. It may be cramped on the driver's side and rear space is worth an issue in the case of Balikbayan Boxes but such problems won't be an issue to anyone who has a GranAce because the luxurious interior is what sums up best.

2020 Toyota GranAce

Such sweet spot the GranAce delivers comes with a price and here, the only engine offered is a 1GD-FTV 2.8L 4-cylinder common rail diesel engine producing 177PS of power and 450Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is a WLTP combined 10kmpl.

While the diesel engine is a bit of a letdown to some, the GranAce now drives better than the HiAce thanks to its TNGA platform and revised suspension settings. Although bulky for a rear-wheel drive van, it feels relatively comfortable and safer as good thanks to its Toyota Safety Sense 2.

So, would you have one rather than the Alphard? Well, the GranAce may be the most expensive Toyota van offered, but the interior is what sets them apart and you'll have fond memories about getting through its sweet spot when you're back home in the end, I want to sit in the GranAce more than the Alphard or the Hyundai Grand Starex and that is the bottom line.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation