The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are often considered the go-to options for buyers who want a large MPV with plenty of interior space and a touch of luxury. Said MPVs are extremely popular, so much so that after years of both being offered by grey import dealers, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) decided to officially sell them here.
However, what if you wanted something even larger? Well, over in Thailand, buyers there have access to the Majesty, which is essentially a luxury version of the latest Commuter (also known as the HiAce) passenger van that made its debut back in 2019. The Majesty goes by other names too, as it is known as the GranAce in Japan as well as the Granvia in Taiwan and Australia.
The Majesty beats the Alphard and Vellfire when it comes to size, as it measures 5,265 mm long, 1,950 mm wide, 1,990 mm tall and packs a wheelbase spanning 3,210 mm. By comparison, its 320 mm/330 mm longer, 100 mm wider and 95 mm taller than the Alphard and Vellfire, which are 4,945 mm (Alphard) or 4,935 mm (Vellfire) long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,895 mm tall. The Majesty’s wheelbase is also 210 mm longer than the 3,000 mm of those MPVs.
With its larger dimensions, the Majesty can accommodate up to 11 passengers in a 3-2-2-4 layout, which is more than the max of eight passengers (2-3-3 layout) of the other monocoque-built Toyota MPVs. Of course, all three have other seating configurations available in selected markets with fewer seats for increased passenger comfort (legroom, shoulder room, etc.)
In the markets it is sold in, the Majesty/GranAce/Granvia is powered by a 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that drives the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. In Japan and Australia, the mill serves up 177 PS (174 hp) and 450 Nm of torque, but in Thailand, the figures are 163 PS (161 hp) and 420 Nm.
In Thailand, the Majesty is offered in three variants, with the base Standard retailing for 1.709 million baht (RM217,611), followed by the Premium at 1.899 million baht (RM241,769) and the range-topping Grande at 2.199 million baht (RM279,963). While it is a bigger vehicle than the Alphard sold there, the latter commands a higher price tag of between 3.838 and 5.458 million baht (RM488,701 and RM694,970).
On the top-spec Grande, features include plenty of chrome exterior bits, power-sliding doors, LED headlamps and taillights, a seven-inch head unit, a 12-speaker sound system, powered second-row seats and driver’s seat, leather upholstery, wood interior trim, keyless entry and start, nine airbags as well as a full suite of passive and Toyota Safety Sense active systems.
Currently, the Majesty isn’t officially sold in Malaysia, and you probably won’t find any Majesty listings by grey import dealers. However, there plenty of GranAce units imported from Japan available, with prices around the RM400,000 mark. In Japan, the GranAce goes for between 6.2 and 6.5 million yen (RM207,762 and RM217,815) across its G (eight-seater) and Premium (six-seater) variants.
At around RM400,000, these grey import GranAce units would therefore be positioned (price-wise) between the UMWT-sourced Vellfire 2.5L (RM367,881 OTR without insurance) and Alphard 3.5L (RM464,000). If we extrapolate from Thailand’s pricing, the entry-level Majesty is about 55% less than the cheapest Alphard there, so the Majesty would theoretically be around RM208,800 here, although it will realistically be higher than that at maybe RM350,000?
At that price point, the Majesty does sound like quite an appealing offering for those who want something larger than the Alphard and Vellfire, don’t you think? Would you welcome a vehicle like the Majesty here or is the current crop of premium Toyota MPVs already large enough and there’s no need for something larger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
GALLERY: Toyota Majesty (Thailand market)
How about the 2022 voxy and noah?
Not expensive enough.
for 400k , better get semi-Ds @ Ukays Melawati
are u blind? the article mentioned many times about LARGER Toyota than alpat/velfaiya. voxy/noah is obviously SMALLER than alpag/velfaiya
While us here commercial users are still soldiering with our HiAce when the rest of the world has the new Van for ages.
Hiace only good for transporting Bangala workers, so no need to upcar over Hiace.
Little do you know then.
The new HiAce is way more comfortable, safer AND bigger. You can fit 4×8 plywood flat that the old HiAce cannot. Also the 2 swing out rear doors helps loading with forklift.
The only con with the new HiAce is the taller roof, something that might be a problem with low underground parking/loading bay.
Latest Hi-Ace is designed based on all-new body based on the design ideas of TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture), such as high-level body rigidity achieved through ring-shaped frame structures.
Hi-ace is comparable to the Staria at Korea, price start @ RM 99k+
GrandAce/Majesty is also like the premium Staria for more passengers with space,
Which comes with 4 independent suspension, maximized comfort and handling for its size and weight. But a GrandAce Japan is RM220k+, Thailand, RM280k+
If the Majesty is cheaper than Malaysia Staria RM350k+,
Priced like an Estima Replacement,
It’s more comfortable, spacious.
Taiwanese like the comfort of it for its price, good turning radius like SUV despite its length.
As long as it has self driving function, it’s not a bad deal for its space.
Something which Kia Carnival 2022 malaysia missed out, it also doesn’t have AEB.
it has to be cheaper than vito tourer
i prefer it over vellfire bcos diesel engine. vellfire damn thirsty keep on having to refuel
There’s always the Mercedes option for a large MPV and it’s cheaper too brand new
too big for multilevel parking
You can use 360 view camera and also helps when you park this big car
Mainly for tourist group
glorified hiace. where is the new hiace, voxy and noah?
Dear Paultan,
looks like its time for you to do comparo for this massive family haulers from Continent and Japanese origin. Maybe you can consider MB, VW, Renault and Peugeot to go against Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, KIA etc. Price wise they seemed to converge around the same point
More options snf competition are always goof for consumers. So bring it into Malsysia. Its a Toyota anyesy.
Good vehicle for upper class tour agency.
my suggestion to umw toyota. give us the full power version of the 2.8 same as hilux rogue and fortuner vrz. else this majesty will cause traffic jam in the right lane
Its a rear wheel drive !
Then i really welcome it !
Finally the availability of a Toyota turbo diesel MPV
It’s RM240k +
Was invited to share opinions (together with many others) on this MPV three weeks ago. And yes, it’s a 2.8 diesel.
This article was written before the 10 seater Staria was launched. Makes no sense then look at Staria sales. With the silly laws of this country I don’t see why the majesty should not get tax exemption as it’s a 11 seater too like both the carnival and Staria. If UMW has any business sense they should waste no time in bringing in the Toyota Majesty from the land of smiles.