Toyota Esquire 2.0 Gi 7-Seater

Launched in Japanese markets in October last year, the Toyota Esquire may be seen as a budget and slightly smaller version of the Toyota Estima, aimed squarely at the Mazda Biante and Nissan Serena. Basically the same car as the Toyota Noah/Voxy, the Esquire features slight differences in its exterior and interior. The Noah is the base car - a large family MPV - while the Vellfire-inspired Voxy is a “sportier” version, and the Esquire is the more “deluxe” variant. Confused? We are too.

The Toyota Esquire, apparently, targets those who wants a car that apes the more luxurious (and expensive) Toyota Alphard. This Esquire is based on the third-generation Toyota Noah, initially launched in January 2014.

Armed with a bold, large grille like the latest Alphard, the vertical slats accentuates the car's tall profile. The car's box-like styling mimics that of the Alphard instead of the Estima. Akin to the Alphard, chrome is applied generously onto the front fascia and grille, while the beltline of both cars is also trimmed in chrome.

At the rear of the Esquire, the curves where the window and taillights coincide adds some flair to the car's styling. Otherwise from the A-pillar onwards to the rear, styling is pretty much fuss-free and simple, unlike the front end.

In the Gi trim, the car is fitted with LED headlights coupled with daytime running lights, as well as fog lamps.

Of course, with a big MPV like this, the centrepiece is no doubt its interior accessibility and comfort. Despite losing out 30mm in height compared to the Alphard, the Esquire matches the latter's generous cabin height of 1400mm. The electric sliding doors open wide, and aids ingress and egress, even for the third row occupants.

The car has a flat floor and flexible middle row seats that shames most yoga experts, allowing for plenty of seat adjustments and configurations. The middle row seats slide forward easily with just the pull of a lever to allow access to the last row.

In the car tested, the Esquire is kitted with synthetic leather seats, and dual sunroof. The sunroofd bring plenty of light into the interior, enhancing the spaciousness of the already airy interior, aided by the large glasshouse. Rear passengers get their own air-conditioning controls too, mounted on the roof.

Round the front row, there is dual-zone climate control, and even heated and cooled seats. The driver will realise that he or she sits high up, with the large windscreen upright and nearby, benefiting from a great view of the road ahead.

While most MPVs have hopeless boot space with the last row seats up, it is not an issue faced by the Esquire. Even with the third row seats up, there still is a practical amount of usable boot space, and more may be found under the third row seats too. If that's still not enough, the rearmost seats fold sideways with ease. The boot floor is low too, at only 500mm above the ground.

With a car like the Esquire, handling dynamics or driving pleasure were never mentioned in the design brief back at the Toyota boardrooms. However, the car is able to steer confidently and is easy to drive despite its bulk. Tight spaces is not an issue for this large MPV.

Despite a fair bit of roll around corners, the ride is comfortable and pliant on local roads, and never feels unsettled or under-damped like older Toyotas.

The tall driving position and large glasshouse makes driving this car easy, and the standard reverse sensors takes guesswork out of parking.

For the most part, the Esquire is a reasonably comfortable and pleasant way to travel in, with the interior serving plenty of space, practicality, comfort, and a tall driving position.

As a budget family MPV priced at around the $150-grand mark, the Esquire is an honest and family-friendly MPV that dishes out plenty of space for less.

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