Hi everyone, I'm asking on behalf of my dad because he's not sure of what MPV to buy for my mom

My mom is currently driving a first gen Toyota Avanza (late-2003 model I think) and is still running fine until today
My dad is thinking of getting my mom a new MPV probably later this year or early 2014. My mom is an MPV-person because of it's practicality and whatnot.
Which is why currently my dad is considering these 3 MPVs for my mom, which are Toyota Innova, Toyota Avanza, and Nissan Grand Livina. All of which are within the budget that my dad is willing to pay for an MPV

In my opinion, the new Avanza looks pretty ugly to me, and knowing my mom's taste in cars, she probably would agree with me that the new Avanza doesn't look nice
The new 2012 facelifted Innova looks decent, and the Grand Livina looks the nicest among these 3

The current first-gen Avanza my mom currently drives is pretty underpowered from what I can feel.. Although I'm not much of a car person

Anyway my question is, which of the 3 cars have the best fuel economy, practicality and performance for the price?

I'd like to know what you guys think

PS: My mom only wants an Auto transmission car

at first u commented on the look but u asked for fc, practicality and performance. set your priority first before ask.

seems like u dissed the new avanza alot in term of look but it gives the best price, value, and performance for an auto 1.5.

innova is simply expensive for very dated model.
grand livina is much much smaller than avanza.

Innova is too expensive for the specs given and the ride is not so good. But have the largest space among all.

Avanza is bumpy and too basics. Underpower too

Grand livina looking good, get the 1.8 and add on Impul bodykit The 1.8 engine is quite powerful, if can avoid the 1.6

Dont ever consider exora bold, too sluggish, no resale value, power windows malfunction, high fc and its a Potong

I'll get grand livina 1.8 for lower center of gravity and probably the most comfort among all (not referring to the 3rd row). I think grand livina facelift version might launch soon.
Else I'll consider perodua alza 1.5 for fuel saving city drive purpose.
Innova is like big potata, while avanza is bumpy.

why is these car even here except grand livina
the only good one there from what i see is grand livina
else is exora bold CFE

Wait for the Kia Carens,how about the Chery Easter?

Grand livina is smaller than avanza? looks like livina is longer to me

So basically saying the new Avanza is not much difference with the first-gen Avanza in terms of comfort and performance?

It's true that Innova is super big
And yeah i heard grand livina facelift version coming end of the year

My dad not interested in any brand except jap.. No idea why either

Avanza floaty, bumpy, not safe at all. Also very outdated model. Meant for 3rd world.

Grand Livina floaty above 110 or so? Complaints by owners here. Sort of meant for 3rd world.

Innova outdated. Meant for 3rd world.

My pick would be Exora CFE, or if you want smaller Alza. Though really I'd rather get a second hand conti. I did and am happy.

My mom doesn't often go above 90km/h so I guess floaty-ness wouldn't be an issue for her..

Seems like majority of LYN agrees that grand livina would be the best choice among the 3 listed

Just noticed the new Kia Rondo/Carens. Any idea when will it be released in Malaysia and what pricepoint? Looks pretty good in terms of design.

Also, I heard that korean cars are on par with their japanese rivals currently in terms of reliability. Is that true?

The Carens is competing with the VW Cross Touran in other country... So.. U can guess the price

Best fuel economy: surely not Innova! I think Livina would have the best FC. I own one (the 1.6ltr version) and so far can get about 13-14km/ltr combined city/highway where daily route going thru Tun Razak evening traffic jam.

Practicality: Innova would be the best since it's the most spacious and comfortable. Avanza should be the worst since it's the smallest and the most uncomfortable due to very bouncy ride.

Performance: would be the Innova since got the most powerful engine, but also consumes the most fuel. But if you get the Livina 1.8, it's not too shabby as well. I'm only using the 1.6 and already taken it to >170kph, pick up is also decent.

IMHO it's between Innova & Livina. Innova is more comfortable and powerful but also most expensive and most thirsty. Livina IMHO is good enough already, decent car all around. The Livina stability and handling is also I think the better of the 3 since it's the lowest chassis, and it's the easiest to control since it's FWD (it won't oversteer). The car is also smaller than Innova so should be a better transition for your mom from Avanza, as opposed to Innova which is a much bigger car than Avanza (unless your mom is also used to driving a rather big car). Maintenance is also pretty cheap. The only other good option for your mom after Avanza, I'd say is the Alza, way much better than Avanza while still using the same engine, but it's the smallest of the bunch.

IMHO all MPV are relatively floaty as they're not designed to go higher speeds anyway. Having said that I've taken the Livina to >170kph and I think not that bad. I've also driven it to Cameron highland (both routes) and Genting, and it handles decently around those twisty stuff as it's not that heavy. I think it's one of the better ones in terms of handling among the bunch of MPVs with Avanza being the worst.

As for the 3rd world thing, IMHO all of these MPVs including Exora are the same class anyway. Exora seems to offers the most but it's also the biggest one. I alos don't know the reliability of Proton cars (at least I trust Nissan & Toyota engines a lot more as they're already very well proven despite maybe older technology). The handling would also not be so responsive due to it's weight (similar to Innova). So the question is whether the mom is used to driving such big cars.
I agree though, that Alza might be the better option.

This post has been edited by 6UE5T: May 25 2013, 05:56 PM

my spine hurt when going over a normal speed bump *alza*

Wow, that's a long long reply.. Thanks for taking your time to give your reply..

Anyway the car that my mom drove before her first-gen Avanza was a first-gen Nissan Serena (1996 model I think), which was relatively large in size too (probably very similar in size to an Estima/Innova). So I don't think she would have any problems with a large car.

I agree that practicality wise, Innova would be the best since it's larger thus the space and passenger comfort would be much better.
And that Grand Livina would be better performance/handling wise since it's a smaller car..
I've read from somewhere on LYN before that the Innova can only deliver around 11-12km/L in city

Looks like Avanza is totally out of the question now. Options now narrowed down to Innova and Grand Livina only..

I noticed from the Toyota website that the air conditioning in the Innova is 1 air vent for each passenger whereas from the Nissan website it looks like the air conditioning vents are all only from the cockpit.. Is there a big difference between these 2 set-ups of both cars?

This post has been edited by YouDontKnowMyName: May 25 2013, 06:34 PM

Innova is the most comfortable and spacious for me. Still prefer the old look than the new facelift though

u know why? because majority did not own them. i own both avanza and livina.
the livina 3rd row only for storage as its very hassle to go behind.
besides, its too low for aunty who prefer mpv due to larger view ahead. ask your mom, she will know.
mine is the 1.8. the performance so so only. dont expect much from mpv and nissan lol. fc also worst than my avanza 1.5.
and worst of all, smallest cabin space of all 3 u mentioned.
remember, this is a mpv we are talking about. cabin play the major role here. follow by price, and performance/safety.

oh ya forget to add the avanza got second row aircond like your mom current avanza. in livina, the 3rd row barely got wind unless all vent focus behind lol

I prefer the facelift version. Looks very alike the 2012 Camry.. The front looks fierce

I do think that my mom would appreciate a high seating position and raised-up view of the road like in the Innova

So in your opinion, the grand livina as an MPV isn't as good as the competition in terms of space and practicality?

I wonder if the facelifted version of the Grand Livina coming late-2013 is any different than the current one

Any news of (hopefully) any redesigned/new model of Innova coming out soon?

This post has been edited by YouDontKnowMyName: May 25 2013, 07:21 PM

yes, the reason why most si lai prefer suv/mpv is because of the high positioning seating.
besides, the gear ratio in avanza makes traffic jam easier. livina more heavier feel.

innova does not worth the money at all. i've survey all the cars u mentioned and got the new 1.5 avanza S spec in the end.

one more thing. avanza is rear wheel drive. typically rwd vehicle is more robust than fwd.
before this avanza i own the first batch 1.3L avanza auto. no problem at all until i sold it and get back avanza