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.

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

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.

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

As for the length of the Innova... Length isn't everything

I can comfortably seat 7 adults in my Kangoo, despite the car being <4m.

I don't find it hard or scary to drive the Kangoo at 140-150 with one hand on the wheel. Due to the 1.4 with AT it won't drive faster.

Also I disagree with MPVs not being able to handle well at high speeds. The Touran easily does 180+. Won't feel it (I forgot that it had another gear, and the one I drove only had the old 1.9 diesel with 110+ HP). The Ford Galaxy is even better, a comfortable cruiser at 200. Relaxing even, despite having a comfort oriented suspension (the Touran is more sports car like). Of course different price class, but it can be done. And in base spec they are around RM 80k overseas. Considering that a Malaysian Touran that costs 166k or so would cost around 150-160k overseas... (It is a rather high spec car...)

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

Innova getting 11-12km/ltr in city drive is very good already, probably too good to be true especially if got into some traffic jams.

For aircon, yeah Livina is not that good since it relies much on the front blower. It has a middle outlet at the bottom but not strong as you need to switch the aircon to blow also to your feet if you want the middle vent to get more cool air. So for passengers in the 3rd row, it will take a while for the cool air to get there. Middle row still not too bad. Aircon is one of the weakness of this car IMHO. The cooling coil is also not good quality (at least up to my version), but mine is already replaced under warranty when it leaked and after that no more issue. Btw Nissan already offers option to install middle blower at additional cost, so you can take this option if need to.

Well I do won Livina and Avanza before. So yeah IMHO Livina still wins hands down to Avanza, I won't even think twice in saying that.

Avanza is almost like a car with very minimal boot space. Just it is registered to ferry 7 people that's all. Power wise ok only for the 1.5 version. But new Avanza very bumpy and floaty indeed, old version is almost the same but old one is nicer looking all round (hate new Avanza rear end). Rear aircond for 2 row but no third row.

Space wise Exora pawns all but FC and the ability to climb Genting is so so but I would say climbing Genting is a big no no for Exora. Sturdy on the road with it's 16" rims and massive brake disc for stopping power. 2nd and 3rd row aircond.

Innova is like Avanza's bigger brother with slightly more boot space with a massive 2.0 engine so no underpowered feeling.

If anyone who suggest Alza? Better not since sluggish for 1.5, no 2nd and 3rd row aircond, minimal boot space. There you go, building cars, people first.

about the same only. its the cheapest toyota afterall 
but u have to do your own math la. cheapest livina auto around 90k while avanza is just 74k, thats like 16k differences.
it may be alot to big but poor family hence avanza is the bestest choice.
if u can simply afford more expensive car then go ahead, get it. but take note of what i have told u la.
or simply go test drive

If she wants a car that is nice to drive... come to the conti side, we have handling.

Didn't they mention in the Avanza thread that the new one is much more acceptable?

I think best is just test drive.

Also... some people here say women won't notice the differences in how a car handles? They won't care? Well, apparently some do.

what for if good handling but keep going in workshop which is major deterrent by si lais?
for the budget, they definitely only can afford used conti mpv. and lets face the fact, conti does have more problem than japanis.
my dad used to own 1 merz c200 and 1 bmw 5 sili but both also more than 10 years ago la XD
enough reason to skip contis for the rest of his life and stick to japanis only nao

u sure 10 years? mine first batch avanza year 2005 only wor. now also 8 years je. juz changed to new one early this year

I guess we just have to agree to disagree on those.

Btw if want to buy Livina, there's already a facelift model in other countries, not sure when to arrive in Malaysia.

It's already arrived in Indonesia, see it here:
http://www.modifikasi.com/showthread.php/4...na-di-Indonesia

Avanza 1.5 needing ~3.1k rpm for 110km/h, the previous 1.3 is worse at 4k rpm, both definitely not a cruiser for me, short distance ~90km/h max should be fine.
Grand livina is not for fast acceleration, it mean for reasonable torque, normal drive won't need >2.5krpm, unless for fast acceleration. Avanza could have a closer ratio gear box for faster response.

If changing from old avanza to new avanza... i don't think it is worth doing so.

Pls avoid innova if you can. it is not as great as it looks especially the fc. and even in town driving i can feel it is very bumpy and bouncy and can get very tiring because you need to be aware as a passenger when the car is cornering or avoiding poth holes.

Innova is not bad in terms of comfort and space, except that its a bit outdated, it's not very good looking and it's underpowered. Engine noise is very loud too.

Avanza can be very underpowered if fully loaded. And very bumpy as well.

Grand Livina is a better choice compared to the two others. Avoid the 1.6. But third row seats very cramp and not much legroom and the Interior is not very good looking.

Different. Innova's is a 2.0L VVT-I petrol, while Hilux is using 2.5 & 3.0 turbo diesel.