When big businessmen want to impress (or perhaps intimidate) rivals, they drive up in a supersized multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). These “mobile boardrooms” show that they mean business, in more ways than one, and they’re also roomy enough to accommodate an entourage of key associates.
The oldest and arguably most visible of the three giant MPVs gathered here is the Toyota Alphard. Its daunting dimensions and underworld overtones (it is reportedly favoured by the yakuza in Japan) ensure that it stands out at any Shenton Way driveway, while its boxy shape promises plenty of “meeting room” for all the executives on board.
Looking as imposing as the Alphard is the facelifted Nissan Elgrand, whose massive chromed grille is just the ticket for towkays who love to park similarly ornate statues of tigers, lions or dragons outside their headquarters for good fortune. Apart from the cosmetic updates, the Elgrand has also been given better amenities than before and is now available as a seven-seater.
The newest player in this story is the Honda Odyssey, which has grown larger and, more significantly, adopted powered sliding doors (previous Odysseys have regular “passenger car” doors). Honda promises that its popular people-mover is as convenient and driver-oriented as ever.
Which of these sumo limos can outwrestle the rest and be rated by us as the most convincing big business van for the big businessman? Continue reading to find out!
The Nissan Elgrand has great infotainment, the most comfortable ride and an exterior that’s grander than the Toyota Alphard, but its comparatively weak air-con and ungenerous legroom in the second row mean that tycoons might feel like sole proprietors when travelling from place to place, cutting deals.
The Honda Odyssey is the least supersized of these MPVs and has a relatively compact third row, but it makes up for this by having the most flexible interior layout, as well as the most efficient and powerful engine. The Odyssey has the lowest sticker price, too, costing (at press time) a few thousand dollars less than the Elgrand and almost $30k less than the Alphard.
Wrestling neck-and-neck with the Odyssey is the Alphard. Although it lacks the amenities and versatility of the Honda and the cushy ride of the Nissan, the Alphard overcompensates by offering the most luxurious lounging experience for everyone on board and providing a truly business-class boardroom for the first-class businessman.
If the towkay’s “company van” budget is over $200k, he should choose Toyota’s sumo limo, but if it’s under $200k, he should sign the purchase order for Honda’s sumo limo.
SPECIFICATIONS
Honda Odyssey 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 2356cc
BORE X STROKE 87mm x 99.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.1:1
MAX POWER 172bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 225Nm at 4000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 92.7bhp per tonne
GEARBOX CVT
with 7-speed override
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 11.5 seconds
TOP SPEED 196km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.7km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 187g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Yokohama BluEarth A34
SIZE 215/55 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with VSA
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4830mm
WIDTH 1820mm
HEIGHT 1695mm
WHEELBASE 2900mm
KERB WEIGHT 1855kg
TURNING CIRCLE 10.8m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $187,900
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Most affordable car here, second row has the “longest” legroom, boot is the most versatile
– Tightest third-row seats, least expansive cockpit, some issues with ergonomics
* BEST OF THE THREE IN FLEXIBILITY
SPECIFICATIONS
Nissan Elgrand 2.5 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 2488cc
BORE X STROKE 89mm x 100mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.6:1
MAX POWER 170bhp at 5600rpm
MAX TORQUE 245Nm at 3900rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 86.1bhp per tonne
GEARBOX CVT
with 6-speed override
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 12.6 seconds
TOP SPEED 180km/h
CONSUMPTION 11.2km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 209g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Yokohama DB Decibel E70
SIZE 225/55 R18
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 8
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with VDC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4945mm
WIDTH 1850mm
HEIGHT 1815mm
WHEELBASE 3000mm
KERB WEIGHT 1975kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.4m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $193,800
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Most cosseting ride, “big business” traffic presence, plushest captain’s chairs
– Second row has the least legroom, ineffective air-con, lethargic performance
* BEST OF THE THREE IN CRUISING COMFORT
SPECIFICATIONS
Toyota Alphard 2.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves
CAPACITY 2362cc
BORE X STROKE 88.5mm x 96mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.8:1
MAX POWER 170bhp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 224Nm at 4000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 88.5bhp per tonne
GEARBOX CVT with
7-speed override
DRIVEN WHEELS Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 11.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 180km/h
CONSUMPTION 10.6km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 218g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs
REAR Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Yokohama Aspec
SIZE 215/60 R17
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 7
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with VSC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4870mm
WIDTH 1830mm
HEIGHT 1905mm
WHEELBASE 2950mm
KERB WEIGHT 1920kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.4m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $217,888
(after $5k CEVS surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km
WE SAY
+ Excellent headroom for every occupant, most relaxing “business lounge” for the road
– Corporate flagship pricing, least useful boot, thirstiest and slowest motor
* BEST OF THE THREE IN SPACIOUSNESS
