My parents planning to get a family MPV that can seat at least 6 people. New or used it don't really matter as long as its comfortable for long distance. They have a budget of max RM100k.

They are looking at
- Brand New 2020 Honda BRV
- Brand New Perodua Aruz

I'm suggesting
- 2011 / 2012 Toyota Vellfire 2.4
- 2011 / 2012 Toyota Alphard 2.4
- 2018 Toyota Innova 2.0G

We travel alot and have plans to drive all the way to Thailand / Singapore. What is the best choice and hows the maintenance like on those cars ( if you've owned one, do let me know the running cost )

This post has been edited by hazremi: Jul 21 2020, 09:29 AM

Pls lah Aruz or BRV u gonna get leg cramp.
Innova very bumpy one dont sit at the rear if u got motion sickness.


Alphard or Vellfire obviously. u wont regret it.

for my case my constraint is budget. so i got the BRV SE (mainly because of i dont want to spend more than 100k and BRV SE got android auto)

but tbh i sometimes think i should spend abit more for the new innova

Im using brv, average car for small family with small kids. btw in fb brv club there currently have issue on the part problem one is fuel pump (honda recall) and one more that honda not cover inside the car warranty (boot shaft leaking), cost at sc RM500++. Aruz im not sure yet have issue or not. for 2nd hand also im not into it so no comment.

Btw i suggest ur parents to go for test drive (with full load 6 person) then will know the difference of comfort.

BRV and Aruz is actually a 5+2 MPV. which means the +2 is for kids..and if you fit in all the passengers, you barely have spaces for luggage.

Recommended you to go for a recond Vellfire or Alphard which cost 80k-120k.

Skip Aruz... My in law got one... And too woobly on highway... Although it rear wheel drive... BRV is at least the last option. The door feel empty and handle seems hollow.

Recond car NEED to spare money since no warranty... But I ve been driving estima acr55 for 6 years now... No major breakdown.. Just have to standby if major parts breakdown

Things I have replaced
4 absorber = 3k
Engine mount=1.6k

Toyota engine no problem... Always go service it will be OK.

They wanted to get BRV as well. But our family all adults + 1 kid.

So its me driving, my 17 year old bro sit beside, both parents in middle row, and my 25 year old sis with lil bro at 3rd row.... So i feel will be quite cramp if they take a BRV...

ahh yes.. Estima... we also used to owned a ACR30 ... but sold it after too many breakdowns and electronics malfunction... =( .. but thx for the suggestion though.. might consider a ACR55 instead

ahh yes.. that BRV SE red colour last year was the reason why my parents suddenly want to consider a BRV. But yeah.. just worry considering its smaller compared to our 2012 Honda CRV. But how was the BRV.. is it really as spacious as they claim it to be? Also is it powerful for highway drive?

If it's brand new - Proton Exora RC will fit the bill.
Proper MPV. Not a 5+2 Mpv

Nay Sayers / Anti Proton will bash but this is probably the most affordable MPV after (new) Innova. The new Exora facelift has some improvements already.

Driving one now (Not the RC version). Have driven up North, down Singapore and to the east of Kuantan. Reliable.
Gearbox and Turbocharger still working.
No breakdown after 5-6 yrs of owning except for a sudden dead battery.

Can't think of any proper full size 7 seater which is around this price range. The former Sienta is like a baby Alphard. Probably the size of Aruz.

I have no complain driving crossing border from Miri to KK late last year. overtaking car manageable la, but i never had car with more than 1.6cc lah so probably ive 'used' to pakai kereta underpowered. For below 100k, 3rd row seat BRV is the most comfortable for me (i tested only Aruz, BRV, Ertiga)

also my decision is heavily influenced by the sales agent too... when i test drive everything, the Honda guy gave me the keys to the BRV for the weekend to test kaw2 at my own leisure time. so i might be bias juga on this

Proton Exora is also 5+2 la bro..

Why not consider a Nissan Serena or probably a recon Voxy/Noah? Shud be slightly cheaper to maintain than the Alphards and Veilfires plus easier on road tax...

ahh yes.... Serena... thx for suggestion... will now add Voxy/Noah into consideration... baby Alphard.. hahahx

I would add Honda Stepwgn but too bad they only have current few pre-face lifted models...

Completely agree. Added more.

You want to sit between the 2 axles, especially your long trip to Thai/SG.
Any seats behind the read axle are extremely bumpy and cause motion sickness. Be it a MPV, truck, bus, minivan.

bumpy and wobbly seems contradict, but let me explain more.
1) when over the bump, 3rd row get threw higher than any body else. If the driver didn't pay attention and goes a little too fast, your butts would leave the chair.
2) at highway any undulation, the car get long ripple before regain stability. Over the journey, you'll be have almost constant vertical motion.

Maybe can put up a boom box and move with it, yo yo check'it out babe, shake your body with me.

Serious part, those are designed as city car. Good and convenient for 40-60km/h in the downtown.

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Jul 21 2020, 10:44 AM

if looking for used or recon (still used), i suggest try to look at serena. at least the mpv sold in malaysia and u might get one with proper service history and still got warranty left from nissan.

Grand Carnival too.

Turbo-diesel, top notch fuel economy over long distance, and plenty of low end torque no problem go up Genting even when fully loaded.