The Toyota GranAce is set to go on sale in Japanese market on December 16, and will be available for that market in two grade variants – a three-row, six-seater Premium and a four-row, eight-seater G version.

The rear-wheel drive MPV, which is based on the sixth-generation H300 HiAce, is identical to the Granvia revealed for the Australian market earlier this year, as well as the Majesty model sold in Thailand. It was announced for the market in early October and made its domestic debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.

Exterior design elements include a large, multi-louvred chrome grille and twin-lens LED headlamps at the front. Interior highlights include wood-grain trim, leather upholstery and second- and third-row captain seats as well as an ottoman mechanism. A Display Audio system is fitted as standard, complete with a smartphone linkage function and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support.

Only one engine option is available for the GranAce, a 1GD-FTV 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which also equips the Granvia. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

A trailing-link rigid-axle rear suspension replaces the leaf-spring setup from the HiAce, and this provides the MPV with a luxurious, comfortable ride and also stable handling. The GranAce also features additional sound insulation for improved NVH aspects.

The GranAce is equipped with the automaker’s suite of Toyota Safety Sense features, including a pre-collision safety system (PCS) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection. There’s also Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Parking Support Brakes (Stationary Objects), which helps reduce and/or mitigate damage from collisions during low-speed driving, for example, in parking lots.

Buyers can pick from a choice of four exterior colours, including White Pearl Crystal Shine. Toyota is targeting to sell 600 units of the GranAce every month domestically.

-paultan