Is Toyota's Granvia Really a Luxury People Mover?

2021 Toyota Granvia VX Review GaycarBoys

We don’t review a lot of people movers like Granvia. There probably aren’t a lot of gay readers who would buy one for a start, but undeterred, we set off for our regular weekend test.

Granvia is an imposing looking thing, with a face that looks like a transformer got caught in a wind. The botoxed looks are an acquired taste.

Years ago, Tarago was the choice of families world-wide, so it seems strange that Hiace was transformed into a people mover. It’s even stranger when you consider there are Hiace models with seats. Toyota claims Granvia is a “luxury” people mover, and while there are hints of comfort, luxury is stretching the friendship a bit.

The boys parked at mine for the weekend, so we set off from our inner-city location to head south.

Other GayCarBoys SUV Stories:

We’d booked a weekender on the south coast, and our 6 seater Granvia seemed just the ticket for our mini road trip.

4 carry-on bags, along with a host of home baked goods, were bundled into the back for the 2-hour journey. For the first time in our tests, the driver was on his own, with all passengers opting for the captain’s chairs with power ottomans. This allowed the front passenger seat to be positioned forward giving all three in the back more than enough space to stretch out.

It made the drivers feel like they were transporting VIPs, but none of us have the Hollywood looks to justify that feeling.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -2021 Toyota Granvia VX Review

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel

Top GayCarBoys Stories:

ABOVE: 2021 Toyota Granvia

Did Granvia’s looks strike a pose, or just strike out.

The looks were met with less than universal praise. Let’s face it, it is a bit of a dog’s breakfast.

A big rectangular box is great for giving those within the space of a concert hall. The engine has to go somewhere so a box has to be glued on the front. “Why then, did Toyota feel the need to give Granvia the face only a mother could love?” Christos asked. Max and Casper were less kind. Ethan, unable to join us, said he would come next time as his hair needed washing.

An oversized grille is flanked by a couple of LED headlamps that don’t look best pleased to be there.

The side profile was slightly a little less controversial, and has a couple of big electric sliding doors. Around back is a massive hatch that weighs a ton. “I doubt a smaller person could manage it on their own without big hugs and a year of therapy,” Max said.

The cabin was more of a Top 10 on the Hit Parade.

The 6-seater has 4 captain’s chairs, each is powered and has a foot stool built in. They slide back and forth on runners to customise the amount of room for each passenger. Side windows have big sun shades that double as VIP protection. You could get up to no end of naughtiness sans detection.

Up front, the dash is vast.

Some of it is softly cushioned, but its utilitarian roots are never far from view. There are acres of hard-as-nails plakky bits. Despite that, there is a vibe that is strangely high-end. Leather is used generously on the seats and is cleverly mixed with man-made leatherette to create ambience no van has the right to expect.

There is a touch of Hilux to the look, with the driver having a decent colour multi-display between the tacho and speedo.

There are tons of cup holders with at least one for everyone on board. 8 USB ports are well distributed, and Toyota is well advanced with rolling out CarPlay/Android Auto as models are refreshed. They’ve finally dragged themselves into the 21^st century. Better late than never.

The sound system is great. It isn’t quite concert hall, but good enough for most of us.

Access is brilliant for the 2^nd row, adequate for the 3^rd row, but 8 seat versions might need a lot of planning.

Fake wood trim doesn’t look too bad and adds a touch of warmth. I’m not usually a fan but this time I’ll let it pass, otherwise the VX would look positively drab.

The interior shows planning, and although Granvia is a Hiace with nicer curtains, it doesn’t suffer from renovator’s syndrome. Things haven’t been shoved into places, just for the sake of it. We agreed that we were totally comfortable, but the looks were less of a success.

The Driving Experience was better for Passengers than the Driver

Granvia is one of those rare examples where the passenger experience is vastly superior to the bloke doing all the hard work.

I peddled first, while the boys reclined slightly to enjoy drinks and a movie. One complaint was common: there is nowhere to put a tablet or phone. You might have plenty of power, but your arms will drop off by the end of the first half.

Christos, ever the inventor, ran up a fabric holder prior to the trip. It fitted on the headrest of the seat in front, with the tablet in a sleave. He is a dab hand with his trusty Singer.

Max and Casper catered so we tucked in to sandwiches of home-made bread filled with Italian meats and cheeses. We were all driving at some stage, so drinks were limited to bottled water and Coke.

Handling in a commercial van with seats, is like you’d expect a commercial van with seats to feel, leisurely. Don’t expect an SUV feel like that of KIA’s Carnival. Ride is firm even with 4-up, and corners must be respected, at any speed. Except for the roughest of tarmac, the mood inside was calm and quiet.

We parked at the servo where the 5.3m van took up all but 300mm of the parking space. The surround view camera made life much easier than it would otherwise have been.

The 2.8L diesel did the job, but is a plodder rather than a sprinter. It protests vigorously when pushed, and the 6-speed auto, though smooth, needs more cogs. At cruise, the engine sound relegates itself to the background, and the cabin resumes its subtle demeanour.

Driver instruments are clear and easy to use, but some of the buttons resemble those of an 80’s nursing home public phone.

The steering while is a little more like a regular old Toyota and will be familiar to anyone who has been in a taxi in the last 10 years.

Handling is helped by driving aids, but as the steering is hydraulic, all of the active steering options are absent. Lane control is by braking but the usual Blind Spot Monitor and AEB options are present. Toyota Safety Assist comes in handy with so many potential guests on board.

As the sun began to slide behind the distant hills, the headlights flicked on, as did the wipers as the rain began to fall.

For a full list of features CLICK HERE: Granvia_Spec_NOV2020

What We Thought:

Alan:

I’ve driven an awful lot of cars over the years, and always love the chance to get into a van. Granvia would be great for airport runs and winery tours. Keep in mind the more people, the less luggage you can carry.

It is horses for courses, and I can just about make a case for an 8-seater. As a 6-seater though, the space is simply fabulous.

Cristos:

I drive an MX5, so something this big is way out of my comfort zone. Having said that, I quickly got used to the high position and enormous length. I love extra length as long as it is where it counts.

Max:

I love driving anything that is put in front of me. Granvia was easy to park, but on the highway, we could really stretch our legs. I can imagine it a road trip but would prefer something more conventional like a Land Cruiser. It really does depend on how many people to want to cart around.

Casper:

I didn’t like it much. For the money you could get more in a normal old SUV. It felt like a bus, and as comfortable as the captain’s chairs are, they don’t compensate for the feeling of the bus-like driving position.

Even with the leather and fake wood, it felt cheap and the plastic was nasty.

Conclusion:

We liked it, but for 4, you’re better off with a regular passenger car or SUV. Granvia is a commercial van, so keep that in mind. With 6 on board, it is good, but 8 might be less successful.

All who drove it, liked it, even if only for the novelty value. The 360° camera made parking easy, and the engine was fairly economical.

Price: