Lush wheels

What we like:

Supremely comfortable ride with luxurious fittings and Ottoman seats worthy of a sheikh.

What we dislike:

Slightly underpowered for something weighing nearly two tons.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder stirs to life with the keyless start button. Rated at 170bhp, the engine gives the nearly two ton Elgrand a stately drive. Torque kicks in at 3,900rpm with 245Nm but is able to get the large MPV up to speed at a reasonable pace.

Made specifically for transporting passengers in supreme comfort, this luxurious MPV goes nowhere fast but it doesn’t need to. Stately is the keyword here and the Elgrand does it to a tee. The ride is supple and comfortable while cruising but the engine can feel overwhelmed when the throttle is mashed for overtaking.

For a car this size, the steering is catered for comfort, not performance. Thus the steering is light enough for the missus. It doesn’t offer driver feedback and it isn’t necessary considering the vehicle’s intended role as a luxury transport.

But oddly enough the brakes on the Elgrand are unusually impressive on a vehicle this type. And it is able to anchor the large MPV to a stop quite quickly in an emergency.

While the Elgrand might seem overshadowed by its fellow Japanese rival at times, it has come back hard with this latest version. Decently equipped with keyless entry, sunroof, Ottoman seats, navigation and powered seats.

This latest luxury MPV seems to be the perfect way for a Dad to pamper his family.

Credits: Story and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline