Presence as a "premium shuttle vehicle"—Test drive Toyota's full-size wagon, the Granace | Toyota
Toyota Gran Ace | TOYOTA GRANACE
Test drive Toyota's full-size wagon, the Granace
Toyota's full-size wagon, the Granace, was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019 and went on sale in December. Its boxy, semi-bonnet body, measuring 5,300mm long, 1,970mm wide, and 1,990mm high, exudes a massive, overwhelming presence. The name is a combination of "GRAN," meaning "large/great" in Spanish, and "ACE," meaning "expert/outstanding person" in English. Based on the commercial model Hiace for overseas markets, it was developed with the aim of transporting multiple VIPs, corporate executives, or inbound guests in a single vehicle. We participated in a test drive event held in Yokohama City to assess its drivability and rear-seat comfort.
Text & Photographs by HARA Akira
Two grades: 6-seater "Premium" and 8-seater "G"
The Granace is available in two grades: the 6-seater, 3-row "Premium" and the 8-seater, 4-row "G." The exterior is largely identical, save for the grade-specific nameplates. The front features a commanding presence with a large radiator grille with metallic accents, projector-type dual LED headlights surrounded by chrome trim, and piercing LED daytime running lights, all combined with a long, perfectly square passenger cabin.
Granace Premium
Granace Premium
Granace Premium
The bonnet houses the 1GD-FTV 2.8-liter inline-4 clean diesel engine, the same unit found in Toyota's Hilux and Prado, producing a maximum output of 177ps (130kW) at 3,400rpm and a peak torque of 450Nm between 1,600 and 2,400rpm. By positioning the battery beneath the cabin floor, the short bonnet is achieved.
Granace Premium
Granace Premium
First, we step into the driver's seat, which is often the workplace. The environment befits the vehicle's stature, with a wood and leather combination steering wheel, leather seats, a simple shift lever on the console (also in leather), and large, easy-to-press manual buttons. The parking brake is a lever type, a subtle reminder of its commercial vehicle origins.
Granace Premium
Granace Premium
Granace Premium
As we start driving, the 6-speed automatic transmission performs smooth gear changes, and there's virtually no lack of power. The throttle response is well-balanced from low speeds, and it eagerly revs up to nearly 4,000rpm for highway merging, allowing for satisfying acceleration.
Granace Premium
Granace Premium
The 235/60R17 tires, which feel slightly firm at low speeds, combined with the rear-wheel-drive layout, allow the front wheels to turn up to 45 degrees, resulting in a tight minimum turning radius of 5.6 meters. Standard equipment includes large side mirrors with a wide field of vision, a digital rearview mirror, and a panoramic view monitor that displays a top-down view of the vehicle, reducing concerns about maneuverability.
What about rear-seat comfort?
How about the crucial rear seats? Opening the large power sliding door of the "Granace Premium," the 6-seater, 3-row configuration in black, reveals a floor height of 645mm from the ground. This is due to the rear-wheel-drive system and the thick, straight ladder frame underbody.
Granace Premium
Stepping up one level on the side step and entering the cabin, we find four luxurious executive power seats in a light cream "Fromage" leather finish, spaced generously apart. Since all four seats are identical, everyone can equally enjoy amenities such as the electric ottoman, seat heater, armrests, folding side table, and USB ports.
Granace Premium
The low waistline of the side windows offers a panoramic view of the surroundings. The glass in the sliding door is laminated for excellent sound insulation. When the power reclining seat is fully reclined, it can achieve a near-flat position with the ottoman, allowing passengers to stretch out and relax after a long flight or journey.
Granace Premium
The seat slide is manual. A single lever on the side and back of the second-row seats allows them to slide forward completely, enabling third-row passengers to disembark quickly.
For instance, if the president is in the second row and their aide in the third, an electric slide would take too long, leaving the president waiting. What if it were raining that day? The design seems to consider such scenarios.
Features include individual vanity mirrors, air conditioning vents and reading lights along the ceiling sides, and an optional 12.1-inch rear-seat TV, creating the image of a private jet on wheels.
Prices start at ¥6.5 million for the Premium and ¥6.2 million for the G
The 8-seater, 4-row "Granace G" in White Pearl Crystal Shine is designed to transport as many passengers as possible in comfort, targeting demand from taxi companies.
Granace G
Granace G
The second row features the same executive power seats as the Premium. The third row has manual captain's seats. The fourth row is a bench seat whose cushions can be tipped up and folded to create space for luggage at the rear.
Granace G
Granace G
The interior length remains the same, so when all eight passengers are on board, care must be taken to adjust the seat positions to ensure equitable legroom. Also, despite the vehicle's height, the high floor means the ceiling is relatively low, requiring passengers to stoop for a considerable distance to reach the fourth row, which can be somewhat inconvenient.
Granace G
Granace G
Compared to the Premium, which featured leather and wood accents, and flocking on assist grips, speaker grilles, and various garnishes, the G has more resin parts, giving it a slightly more business-like interior.
Granace G
The impression once the vehicle is in motion is overwhelmingly positive, regardless of where you sit. This is thanks to the optimized coil springs and shock absorbers of the trailing-arm rear suspension, the straight ladder frame underbody for torsional rigidity, and the connected pillar structure, all contributing to a secure ride without jarring impacts or noticeable fore-aft pitching. It seems unlikely to induce motion sickness.
Granace G
The price is ¥6.5 million for the Premium and ¥6.2 million for the G. The sales target is 600 units per year, but orders have already reached 950 units. The breakdown is approximately 70% Premium and 30% G, which is roughly in line with expectations.
We anticipate that demand will expand in the future, potentially leading to the introduction of Granace specifications tailored to those needs (according to Takio Ishikawa, Chief Engineer at Toyota Auto Body), so we look forward to its future developments.
