Toyota has launched the Majesty in Thailand. The
Majesty is essentially a luxury version of the Commuter passenger van, a less
expensive Alphard, if you like. However, it’s far from budget. Imported CBU
from Japan, the Majesty is priced from 1.709 million baht for the
Standard and 1.899 million baht for the Premium, to 2.199 million
baht for the range topping Grande variant.
Also known as the Granvia in Australia, the Majesty
is based on the latest generation Toyota Hiace van, which made its debut early
this year. The popular van, which passenger version is called Commuter, has
Normal/Standard Roof and Long/High Roof bodies – at 5,265 mm long, 1,950 mm
wide and 1,990 mm tall (wheelbase 3,210 mm), the Majesty is based on the
Standard roofed van.
By the way, those dimensions put the Majesty 320 mm
longer, 100 mm wider and 95 mm taller than the Alphard and Vellfire. The
wheelbase is 210 mm longer than the luxury MPV’s. It also beats the Hyundai
Starex in all dimensions.
It may be styled like an Alphard, but the Majesty’s
powerplant betrays its roots. Under that new and more protruding hood lies a
2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that Hilux owners are familiar with.
The 1GD-FTV makes 163 hp and 420 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 2,200 rpm. Designed
to take in B20 biodiesel, it’s paired with a six-speed torque converter
automatic transmission.
No leaf spring rear suspension here – the Majesty
utilises front MacPherson struts and four-link rear units, with stabiliser bars
at both ends. At each corner are disc brakes and 17-inch alloys with 235/60
tyres.
As for kit, this plush van gets projector LED
headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, auto headlamps and
wipers, electric folding wing mirrors with turn signals, chrome door handles,
twin electric sliding doors, keyless entry and push start, Optitron meter panel
with 4.2-inch multi-info display, auto air con with nano-e and vents for all,
selectable ambient lighting and sunshades for second/third row windows.
The entertainment system is a seven-inch touchscreen
head unit with Bluetooth, navigation, 12 speakers and Toyota Thailand’s
T-Connect telematics system. As for seating, the Majesty is still a four-row vehicle, with 11
seats in a 3-2-2-4 formation. All are covered in leather, but the focus is on
those two second row boss seats, which have plus headrests, ottoman, massage
function and electric adjustment. The row behind also gets individual captain
chairs, but they have fold down armrests and nothing more.
The fourth row, which has four pairs of headrests
and seatbelts, can be folded away 50:50, sideways. Pearl white cars get a black
tone cabin, while black cars can choose from black or beige interior colours.
Wood trim is standard across the cabin and on the steering wheel as well. Lastly, the Majesty is equipped
with ABS, EBD, BA, VSC, auto limited slip differential, hill assist control,
emergency stop signal and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
This big box also comes standard with Toyota Safety
Sense, which includes Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Dynamic Radar
Cruise Control and Automatic High Beam. Also on are a blind spot monitor, rear
cross traffic alert and a panoramic view monitor for parking. There are nine
airbags including a driver’s knee unit.
The Toyota Majesty might be based on a van, but
that’s also the case for people carriers by Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. If
the ride comfort and refinement is up to scratch, it might be an adequate (and more spacious) replacement of
sorts for the Alphard, which by the way starts from a whopping 3.747 million
baht in Thailand.
