Moving people on minivans gains speed–and style

THIS YEAR, we have several new models and three new entries in the MPV/minivan category including the Honda’s Mobilio, Mahindra’s Xylo MPV, Mercedes-Benz’s V-Class, Kia’s Grand Carnival and BMW’s first-ever MPV, the 2 Series Active Tourer.

The effects of global warming and extreme weather like flash floods and stronger typhoons make the Philippine market a strong, midsize seven-seater SUV market. With larger seating capacity and higher wade height, they make it the ideal commute for executives and growing families.

However, minivans provide an ideal alternative for those who value a more relaxed cabin space, specially premium models that are trimmed with extra luxuries.

A minivan has somewhat of a quasi-SUV seating position, and it offers a higher ground clearance than executive sedans without necessarily sacrificing ride comfort.

Other goodies like captain’s seats with matching ottoman chairs and footrest give passengers business-class creature comforts while toiling around the metro’s hellish traffic. That is why there is a thriving market for this segment especially for the minivans with higher trim variants.

For a more practical people mover, MPVs like the new upgraded Toyota Avanza does the job quite well. This year we have several new models and three new entries in the MPV/minivan category including the Honda’s Mobilio and BMW’s first-ever MPV, the 2 Series Active Tourer and Mahindra’s Xylo MPV.

Mercedes-Benz’s V-Class

Quietly introduced last October, the new V-Class is interestingly a van of choice for those who appreciate the Mercedes-Benz design language and build quality.

Combining functionality with luxury is evident in the choices of finishes and specifications that come with either its basic or avantgarde trim.

Its iconic radiator grille with two louvres and distinctive LED high-performance headlamps commands an unmistakable presence on the road day or night.

Well-appointed niceties like a multifunction steering wheel and matching shift lever in Nappa leather with chrome trim is just a part the various interior finishes one can expect from the four trim types to choose from.

From Nappa leather to Lugano leather, or the more practical and durable Santiago fabric, the new V-Class offers a plush ambiance. Priced at about P3.99 million, Mercedes-Benz has been accepting orders for the new V-Class.

NISSAN NV350 Urvan is currently the bestselling people mover in the Philippines.

Nissan NV350 Urvan

After introducing the Philippine Truck of the Year 2015 winner Navara pick up early this year, Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) also introduced its best-seller in the van segment with the all-new Nissan NV350 Urvan.

The all-new Urvan is powered by a 2.5-liter diesel engine equipped with variable geometry turbo with intercooler, can deliver 130 ps and 356 Nm.

The Urvan features a single sliding door for the rear passengers and its cabin is wider than its previous generation model that still seats up to 18 passengers.

Prices for the all-new Nissan NV350 Urvan ranges from P1.177 million for the basic cargo van model, to P1.183 million for the 15-seater, and P1.196 million for the 18-Seater.

HONDA Mobilio

Honda’s Mobilio 7-seater

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) has been very active this year and under this category, it launched two new models—the all-new Odyssey last March, and the seven-seater Mobilio a month after.

Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines also had a new president and general manager this year, Toshio Kuwahara, who said that the all-new Mobilio specially developed for the Asian market and based on the “progressive private jetliner,” concept which offers a modern and younger styling, spacious cabin, flexible seats and comfortable sedan-like ride that supposedly almost feels like sitting inside a private jet.

Priced below P1 million, it offers a sporty and highly competitive package.

The Mobilio’s lightning bolt beltline design provides optimal window visibility even for the second- and third-row seats. With a wheelbase of 2,654 millimeters and height of 1,603 mm, plus a 189-mm ground clearance, the Mobilio offers a comfortable and confident ride height for both urban and highway traffic and even on rough roads.

The RS package was also reintroduced as a variant in the local market this year through the Mobilio model. Honda’s RS stands for “Road Sailing,” which is the top variant for the Mobilio.

This variant offers seven exclusively designed exterior parts from distinctive front grille and bumper, 15-inch alloy wheels, side sill garnish, rear spoiler, rear bumper, tailpipe finisher and the RS emblem.

The RS variant is also equipped with a 7-inch touch screen audio unit with built-in navigation system powered by Garmin.

Honda’s 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine powers the Mobilio with a maximum power output of 118.36 horsepower at 6600 revolutions per minute and 145 Newton-meters of torque at 4600 rpm. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine is mated to either an improved five-speed manual transmission or the new continuously variable transmission (CVT) developed under the Earth Dreams Technology to keep the balance between power and fuel efficiency.

The all-new Mobilio is available in three variants with the following suggested retail prices: 1.5 E MT, P807,000; 1.5 V CVT, P877,000; and 1.5 RS Navi CVT, P967,000 (the white orchid pearl is priced with a P20,000 premium).

Honda’s Odyssey minivan

Honda Cars Philippines unveiled its all-new Odyssey minivan that promised to be more practical and fuel efficient, while at the same time more luxurious.

It was a tall order, considering it is one of the most successful models in its class. This model is interestingly no longer the American version of the same nameplate; the new Odyssey is market-specific for the Japanese and Asian markets.

It is smaller than the previous model but not in lack of ample legroom. The exterior length is reduced by a considerable 322 mm, and width by 191 mm.

Wheelbase is shorter from 2,900 mm, versus the US version’s 3,000 mm. The resultant weight loss was about 110 kilograms.

Just like the Mobilio, the Odyssey cabin follows a certain concept and theme. Honda calls it the “Modern Suite Room” concept.

The all-new Odyssey seats seven in three rows, two for the first row, two in the second-row captain’s chairs and three in the third row.

The new Odyssey has lesser noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), thanks to sound-absorbing material and thicker glass all around.

And its interior still can pack a considerable amount of load space even with all seats up. The third row can be folded flat under the floor, allowing the Odyssey to convert to a limousine of sorts, with the captain’s chairs sliding all the way to the back of the van.

The new model is also powered by an Earth Dreams Technology-branded four-cylinder 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 172.6 HP and 225 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT with paddle shifter.

There is an Econ mode button and ambient Eco coaching meter will be standard. An idle stop system automatically shuts down the engine when the van is at a complete stop, while a cold-storage evaporator continues to cool the cabin.

What’s also new for the Odyssey is its multiview camera system. With four wide angle cameras on the front grille, door mirrors and tailgate, the system provides a 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings on the audio monitor.

Its blind spot monitor and cross traffic monitor also help alert the driver for vehicles that may be in the path of the car.

Another driver aid feature is its smart parking assist, where it can detect and assist with both parallel and perpendicular hands-free parking. The driver just has to operate the gas and brakes.

Other safety features include the ABS, EBD, stability assist, hill start assist, active cornering lights, and the new Odyssey is equipped with six airbags.

The new Odyssey is priced at P2.348 million (white orchid pearl and black twinkle pearl colors are priced with a P20,000 premium).

Toyota PH’s Alphard

Last January, Toyota Motor Philippines unveiled its all-new Alphard premium MPV. The third-generation Alphard’s distinctive new grille and front fascia is a bold new step in changing its docile-looking predecessor.

Compared to its previous generation model, Toyota also designed it to have NVH isolation for improved comfort and quietness.

Slightly longer than the Honda Odyssey, the wheelbase has been lengthened to 3000 mm, while its rear access step is 50 mm less than the previous generation.

The rear door opening is also wider by 70 mm, allowing easier entry and exit for its passengers. The new Alphard is still powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 engine, rated at 271.23 HP and 340 Nm of torque.

However, it now comes with a six-speed automatic instead of the old four-speed automatic transmission.

The Alphard combines a third-row-seat slide mechanism and recessed storage space, which Toyota claimed it to be a world-first.

This means that even with the third seat upright and in place, six golf bags (four lengthwise and two sideways) can be stowed in the van, plus six items of hand luggage.

For added premium feel and UV protection, its rear door and quarter windows feature roller-type sunshades. Its suggested retail price is at P3.292 million.

BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer

Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines launched the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer earlier this year and it was unveiled to the public at the Manila International Auto Show last April.

It is BMW’s first-ever front-wheel-drive platform and it showed the German luxury brand’s openness to go out of its comfort zone in trying new things in the highly competitive and discerning premium automotive market.

With its signature double-kidney grille and twin LED headlights and corona rings, it still retains the distinctive BMW look including its body styling.

The short overhang in front and rear gives this car a sporty character despite its compact body. Inside, it has room to comfortably fit five full-size adults, thanks to its front-wheel-drive layout.

The 40:20:40 split foldable rear seats offer a highly flexible cargo room when carrying luggage during road trips.

Designed to be driver-centric, the cockpit is driver-angled and the switches are laid out strategically and ergonomically, so it is very intuitive for the driver to operate.

What is also unique about the Active Tourer is that it features a robust three-cylinder gasoline engine, which is BMW’s first-ever. With a factory claim of 4.6 liters to every 100 kilometers, it has a carbon dioxide emission rating of 119 grams per km.

BMW’s Efficient Dynamics strategy, which has been incorporated in this vehicle, allows a smaller engine to offer a driving experience and performance one can only expect from a BMW.

With just 1.5 liters in engine displacement, BMW cleverly mated its TwinPower Turbo system with an efficient steptronic transmission to match the new front-wheel-drive to give optimal performance and fuel efficiency. BMW’s Driver Experience Control switch also allows various drive settings—from Eco Pro, Sport or Comfort—to suit any driving situation.

MAHINDRA Xylo

Mahindra’s Xylo

Designed to be a no-nonsense seven- seater people mover, this diesel-fed Indian-made Xylo MPV is an ideal vehicle for fleet as well as a family vehicle.

Asianbrands Motors Corp., the distributor of Mahindra vehicles, made a big entrance in the Philippine market bagging a juicy government contract to provide over a thousand Mahindra Enforcer patrol jeeps for the Philippine National Police.

Priced at P850,000, it comes with a 4×2 platform and is powered by a robust 2.2-liter, four-cylinder common rail direct injection (CRDI) intercooler mHawk diesel engine with variable geometry turbo (VGT), giving it a 120-HP rating with 280 Nm of torque. It comes with a five-speed manual transmission and is equipped with basic safety features like dual front airbags and ABS.

The third row is a flexible 60:40 split and can be positioned facing front or side facing or stowed to increase luggage space.

THE TOYOTA Avanza sports a new engine that promises more power, improved fuel efficiency and noted improvements in suppressing NVH for a more comfortable ride.

Toyota PH’s Avanza

Toyota Motor Philippines launched its upgraded Avanza this year. The bestselling compact multipurpose vehicle (MPV) was remodeled and a variety of improvements were introduced for 2015.

First introduced in 2006, some 50,000 units have been sold since then. It sports a new engine that promises more power, improved fuel efficiency and noted improvements in suppressing NVH for a more comfortable ride.

It comes with a 1.5- or 1.3-liter Dual VVT-i, four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine. The exterior upgrades include a redesigned headlamp set, grille and bumper, and it also has a wider stance.

It also comes with a new set of 15-inch alloy wheels for a sportier look. It is also equipped with a navi-ready touchscreen display audio.

Inside, the Avanza’s third-row seats can be now customized through its 50:50 split tumble functionality.

More safety features were included, including ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution in all variants.

Compared with its previous model, it now carries a Child Restraint System (Isofix and tether anchor).

The new Avanza has several variants with a starting suggested retail price of P667,000 for the baseline 1.3J MT variant to P910,000 for the top-of-line 1.5G AT variant.

Kia’s Grand Carnival

Kia appropriately added the word “Grand” for its newest MPV. Introduced at the Manila International Auto Show last April, Kia’s family van model has come of age and is positioned to compete against the more premium MPVs in the market with a completely redesigned package and a new level of sophistication with its European-inspired design.

The Grand Carnival exudes an impressive presence with its distinctive grille, aerodynamic side molding lines, a modern wide stance and cab-forward design that can turn heads anywhere.

Aside from its new and more premium look, the Kia Grand Carnival is packed with convenience and smart features to go along with it.

First up, it features a power tailgate and sliding door on the second row for which allows convenient access for rear passengers and loading up storage.

Its newly designed and elegant cockpit comes with chrome and wood accents for that added premium feel.

A wide, horizontal slanted, center console prominently features a 3.5-inch OLED type multi-information display. This high-visibility display provides pertinent trip information such as speed, distance, fuel consumption, outside temperature, among others.

Moreover, an auto light control that instantaneously adjusts headlamps to the exterior levels of light, and an active eco system that auto-controls engine, transmission and air-conditioner are all conveniently accessible.

Despite no significant changes in height and width from its previous model, there is more front shoulder room, greater legroom in all rows, and a higher hip point to improve outward visibility for drivers.

The seven-seater MPV allows flexible seat folding to adapt to different passenger and cargo requirements.

Under the hood, the Kia Grand Carnival comes with a lightweight R 2.2 inline four-cylinder, CRDi diesel engine that uses a nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst to regulate emissions and comes with a highly efficient variable-geometry turbocharger and intercooler to adequately power the vehicle at full capacity.