For those times when an SUV isn’t quite big enough, you have to move into van territory – and that means the likes of the Toyota Granvia. The Japanese marque has just unveiled the 2020 incarnation of its luxury people mover, in a bid to boss the high-end shuttle market. This latest version, which was launched before an enthusiastic audience in Dubai, is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, which should be sufficient for those looking to ship a big family around. Toyota is also hoping the Granvia will appeal to luxury limousine suppliers, and, with this in mind, you can apparently comfortably accommodate four golf bags alongside six passengers in the vehicle. Looks-wise, it’s noticeably smarter than previous versions, with a more assertive aspect. Four captain’s chairs come as standard, a feature Toyota says is a first in class. The Granvia also comes with woodgrain trim and metallic finishing, as well as air conditioning that apparently helps remove bacteria and odours. Understandably in vehicles of this sort, the focus is on safety, and not just for the driver and passengers – Toyota says the new Granvia minimises risk to pedestrians by incorporating energy-absorbing reinforcements at the front of the vehicle. Driver assistance technologies comprise a 4.2-inch display, a 7.0-inch infotainment unit, multifunctional steering wheel and a digital rear-view mirror that allows a clear view regardless of how many golf bags you’ve stuffed in the back. The Granvia SE model starts at Dh177,000 and is available in UAE showrooms now.
