Multi-purpose vehicles or MPVs with lots of seats are popular for obvious reasons – they can carry big travel groups or large families and provide lots of comfort and versatility for moving cargo.
Unlike the past when MPVs were seen as mini-vans that were practical but didn’t offer much in terms of creature comforts, today’s breed of people carriers are packed to the rafters with safety technologies, first-class cabin luxuries and top-grade driving assistance features.
Today, smaller-sized MPVs like the Nissan Grand Livina and Perodua Alza are proving to be viable alternatives to the traditional sedans and hatchbacks, due to the MPVs’ extra seats and cargo carrying capacities.
Check out some of the notable MPV launches in 2016.
Weststar Maxus G10
Price: RM139,888 on-the-road without insurance; one-year free service; 3-year or 100,000km warranty – whichever is earlier
The China-built G10 from Weststar Maxus is an impressive people mover, with its top-grade comfort and safety features.
A verstatile 10-seater MPV, it is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged engine with direct injection and 225hp and 345Nm of torque, mated to a ZF-sourced six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.
The engine is engineered by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) together with General Motors and Volkswagen.
SAIC owns the Maxus brand.
The Torino-designed vehicle comes equipped with full leather seats and safety features that fulfil the European MPV passive safety standards.
The safety kit includes dual airbags and ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability programme, brake assist, brake override system, tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse camera.
The fully imported G10 also has all-round disc brakes, xenon HID headlights, LED taillights, powered sunroof, keyless entry system, push-start ignition, rain sensing wipers, leather upholstery, and a seven-inch LCD infotainment display mated to a six-speaker audio system with MP3, DVD and Bluetooth features.
The G10 is available in three striking colours: Champagne Gold, Blanc White, and Obsidian Black.
To check out the G10, visit the Weststar Maxus showroom at 366, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur or call 03-2143 3331.
Toyota Sienta
Price: RM92,900 (1.5G) and RM99,900 (1.5V) on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage
The seven-seater Toyota Sienta MPV is built in Indonesia, and offered here in two variants – entry-level 1.5G and top-grade 1.5V.
It is based on a modified Toyota Vios platform, and had its ground-clearance adjusted from its Japanese domestic market specifications to 20mm higher at 180mm to help it clear Malaysian speed bumps.
It is certainly a roomy people with spacious dimensions at 4,235mm in length, and 1,695mm in height and with a wheelbase of 2,750mm.
An attractive feature is the dual powered sliding rear doors (note: left side only on the 1.5G) that can also be operated via switches near the steering wheel.
It’s interesting that both the latest Toyota Vios and Sienta share the same powertrains – a new 1.5-litre dual VVT-i engine and CVT (continuously variable transmission) with a 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic mode.
The new 1.5-litre dual VVT-i engine produces 107ps at 6,000rpm and 140Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.
As such, both cars have a perky, get-up-and-go character which translates to effortless acceleration from standstill.
When driven at 110kph on smooth highways, the tachometer needle on the Sienta was at a low 2,000rpm which is very impressive for a car with a kerb weight of at least 1,325kg.
As standard, the Sienta comes with electric power steering, all-round disc brakes, LED daytime running lights, rear fog lamps, rear wiper and door visors, second row 50:50 split seats with one-touch tumble, third row 50:50 split fold-flush seats, rear air conditioning vents and a six-speaker sound system.
Standard safety features are three airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, reserve sensors and ISOFIX anchor points.
The top-grade 1.5V Sienta gets extras like 16-inch wheels, acoustic front windshield, Bi-LED projector headlamps, push-start ignition, automatic air-conditioning, digital video recorder, DVD player with a 6.8-inch touchscreen and voice recognition, and reverse camera.
Proton Ertiga
Prices: RM58,800 (Executive 5-speed MT), RM61,800 (Executive 4-speed AT), RM64,800 (Executive Plus 4-speed AT) on the road with insurance; 5-year or 150,000km warranty – whichever is earlier
The Proton Ertiga B-segment MPV is meant to compete against the likes of the Perodua Alza, Toyota Avanza and Nissan Grand Livina.
Smaller than the Exora, the six-seater Ertiga is Proton’s first MPV with Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV)-status and is based on the Suzuki model by the same name.
Powering the Ertiga is a 1.4-litre Suzuki K14B DOHC engine with a metal timing chain, and variable valve timing (VVT) that delivers 92hp at 6,000rpm and 130Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
The Ertiga claims a fuel economy (at a constant 90kph) of 5.7-litres/100km for the manual and 6.0-litres/100km for automatic.
Fuel is fed from a 45-litre tank and wheels are 15-inch alloys with a 15-inch steel spare.
Features include headlamp levelling, 4 speakers, radio/CD/MP3 and USB/iPod jack.
Safety features include two front airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, power window anti trap (driver’s side only) and reverse sensors.
The top-grade Executive Plus variant gets additional equipment such as turn indicators on wing mirrors, front fog lamp trimming, driver seat height adjuster, audio system controls on steering wheel and metallic trimming for interior door release latches.
Carsifu had a brief drive of the Ertiga on the Proton test track in Shah Alam, and found it to be a smooth and responsive drive.
The powertrain doesn’t get thrashy until the rev needle passes 5,000rpm.
Pickup was good even with 4 persons on board.
Upshifts were smooth and switchgear have a quality feel about them.
We managed to hustle the MPV up to 150kph in the straights and it didn’t feel floaty.
The 3-speed 4-vent ceiling mounted air-cond blowers in mid-row, ala Toyota Avanza style, was strong.
Third-row passengers could even feel the cold air from the blowers.
Mercedes-Benz V 220 D
Price: starts from RM434,888
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class provides optimum flexibility in the cabin.
With two equipment lines; V-Class and V-Class Avantgarde, an Exterior Sports package and an Interior Design package for each line, two wheelbases, three body lengths from 4,895 – 5,370mm, and also many optional extras, the new V-Class can be individualised to suit most needs.
The V 220 D has a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with two-stage turbocharging, that generates 163hp and 380Nm with a fuel consumption of just 5.7 litres per 100km.
It offers optional 4-way lumbar support and active seat ventilation, and all lighting functions in LED technology.
Fine nappa leather is available for the seats, steering wheel and shift lever.
As standard, the V-Class has four individual luxury seats with armrests in two seat rows.
As an option, a folding table can be installed between the single seats.
There are 11 driver assistance systems based on state-of-the-art radar, camera and ultrasound sensors.
Standard equipment includes Crosswind Assist, which helps the driver to stabilise the V-Class in strong, gusting crosswinds, and Attention Assist, which can warn of inattention and drowsiness.
Toyota Innova
Price: RM109,000 (2.0E with 5-speed manual); RM117,000 (2.0E with six-speed automatic); RM126,000 (2.0G with 6-speed automatic) on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage
The second-generation Toyota Innova is powered by a reliable 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 139PS at 5,600rpm and 183Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
The rear-wheel drive multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 series tyres.
Using a remote-activation jack-knife key fob gains entry into the 8-seater cabin with fabric upholstered seats.
Along with the one-touch tumble system for the second row and the one-touch fold-up system for the third row, the cabin also has front seat back pockets with a shopping hook, a sunglass holder, cup holders, power windows with driver-side auto up/down and jam protection, five roof-mounted grab handles and two 12V power outlets.
Drivers will be greeted by a three-spoke silver-trimmed urethane steering wheel with audio, MID and Bluetooth hands-free controls that’s not only tilt-adjustable, but is now telescopic too.
Entertainment is via a six-speaker audio system connected to a CD player with tuner, MP3, AUX-jack, USB and Bluetooth.
There’s now the convenience of keyless-entry and push-start button.
For safety, the 2.0E comes with three airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, front-rear parking sensors, speed-sensitive central locking and ISOFIX anchor points.
The 2.0G bolsters its safety levels by adding four more airbags (seven in total), as well as brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-start assist and emergency stop signal.
Toyota Alphard
Price: RM419,900 (Alphard 3.5L) and RM519,900 (Alphard 3.5L Executive Lounge) on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage; 10 years Toyota Genuine Parts guaranteed availability.
The Alphard is offered in two variants – the higher grade Alphard 3.5L Executive Lounge and the standard Alphard 3.5L.
Paying an extra RM100,000 for the Executive Lounge variant gets you features such as semi-aniline leather upholstery, second row VIP seats with seat air-conditioning, a more premium audio system with 17 JBL speakers and a larger eight-inch touchscreen display.
The Alphard Executive Lounge also comes with a 9-inch rear seat entertainment system with Blu-ray Disc player.
Also exclusive to the Alphard Executive Lounge steering switches is a voice recognition for hands-free operations.
The Alphard 3.5L is a popular MPV for the “towkay or big businessman” which provides a refined and smooth motoring behaviour.
The powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine with dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) is a solid performer with 271ps of power and 340Nm of torque, mated to a silky-smooth six-speed automatic gearbox.
Being in an Alphard on the move is like flying first-class – it is quiet, refined, powerful, relaxing and comfortable.
The Alphard has an electric power steering that is precise and nearly effortless to use.
Features include seven airbags, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, hill assist control, brake hold, seven-inch DVD-AVN system with navigation and eight speakers, reverse camera, Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film window tint.
Toyota Vellfire 2.5L
Price: RM355,000 on-the-road with insurance; 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage; 10 years Toyota Genuine Parts guaranteed availability.
Like the Alphard, the Toyota Vellfire MPV is very popular among the business community and top corporate executives in Malaysia.
Both MPVs are well-known for their classy and spacious interiors, comfortable ride quality, powerful and fuel economical powertrains, and high reliability and ease of maintenance, as well as strong residual values.
Both the Alphard and Vellfire are actually close siblings with many similarities in design, interior layout, comfort and safety features, and plush cabin materials.
Step inside the cabins, and you will be hard-pressed to tell the differences.
Here, the Vellfire is powered by a 2.5-litre dual VVT-i engine with 180ps and 235Nm of torque, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Features include LED headlamps with auto leveling and daytime running lights (DRL), LED front and rear fog lamps and rear combination lamps,
Twin Moon Roof, four-spoke leather wrapped steering with black wood grain, cruise control, smart entry and start system, 3-zone air-conditioning, leather seats, 7in DVD-VN with navigation and 8 speakers, ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, Hill-Start Assist Control, front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags, and ISOFIX child seat points.
Getting in and out, especially in tight parking spots, is made a lot easier with powered sliding doors on both sides.
The best spots to be in the MPVS is the second row, where the Alphard 3.5L and Vellfire 2.5L get Captain Seats with power reclining and Ottoman features, as well as a side table.
With both third row seats raised against the sides, up to six golf bags can be fitted in the rear cargo section.
Keyword: Best MPVs in Malaysia for 2016