Toyota GL Grandia or Kia Grand Carnival (11str)?

[Junichiro]

Good day Tsikoteers.

My family is planning to purchase a vehicle that would replace our aging Van. Our minimum requirements are:

1. Comfortable seating for 6-8 pax with cargo space for 2 to 3 full-sized luggage.

2. Can be used as a service car for my senior-citizen dad when his sedan is being serviced.

We found the Carnival fascinating because of its spaciousness for first 3 rows, power amenities and creature comfort that we could definitely recommend even to my dad, and driver-friendly cabin that even my mom could drive should she decides to. But my mom finds its reliabilty/after-sales/resale value questionable, and worries it can't be used when there's a need for 11+pax with baggage.

That's why she's now inclined to the Grandia, because of its sheer passenger/gargo space and advantage in seating capacity, and the ease of maintenance and resale value. But my gripe over it is its overall lack of refinement compared to the Carnival.

So we're now torn between these two. Personally, my practical side tells me Grandia, but my heart screams Carnival.

Thus, I would like to ask for everyone's insights as to the choice I should make. It can be pro's/con's of each vehicle, or you may suggest some alternatives as well.

Sorry for the long post. Hope you guys can help. Many thanks in advance! [emoji16]

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[Sleepcare]

Would you mind me asking, what is your current van? So that we could try to fit in your shoes.

[Junichiro]

Would you mind me asking, what is your current van? So that we could try to fit in your shoes.

It's a 2012 Nissan Urvan 15 str [emoji1]

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[GTi]

GL Grandia ba o Super Grandia? With the Super Grandia, there is not much cargo space left with all the seats up either. GL Grandia naman medyo masikip ang mga individual seats nya at may pagkatagtag.

I have a relative who has a 2011 Carnival LWB. With a full load of 8 persons there is still enough room at the back for everyone's luggage for a weeklong Baguio trip and still further room for pasalubong. As for the engine, we have a 2011 Santa Fe which uses the same engine as the current Carnival. Power is definitely very far off from the Hiace even with the 3.0 engine (our Japan surplus 1KZ Granvia has similar power output!) and at 58tkms, so far so good in terms of maintenance.

Not considering the Grand Starex?

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[monty_GTV]

get the super grandia, the 2 captain chairs are ideal for senior pax...

[Junichiro]

GL Grandia sir. Super Grandia is tight for our budget.Is the ride comfort of Super Grandia and GL Grandia the same?

Thank you for your imput sir. I remember seeing the Starex just once at a mall expo, but there were some loose parts in interior fit and finish, so I wasn't that impressed. Also, I've been hearing about the not-so-stellar after market sales of hyundai dealership, so it wasn't in our list. We'll try to look into again sir.

GL Grandia ba o Super Grandia? With the Super Grandia, there is not much cargo space left with all the seats up either. GL Grandia naman medyo masikip ang mga individual seats nya at may pagkatagtag.

I have a relative who has a 2011 Carnival LWB. With a full load of 8 persons there is still enough room at the back for everyone's luggage for a weeklong Baguio trip and still further room for pasalubong. As for the engine, we have a 2011 Santa Fe which uses the same engine as the current Carnival. Power is definitely very far off from the Hiace even with the 3.0 engine (our Japan surplus 1KZ Granvia has similar power output!) and at 58tkms, so far so good in terms of maintenance.

Not considering the Grand Starex?

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GL Grandia ba o Super Grandia? With the Super Grandia, there is not much cargo space left with all the seats up either. GL Grandia naman medyo masikip ang mga individual seats nya at may pagkatagtag.

I have a relative who has a 2011 Carnival LWB. With a full load of 8 persons there is still enough room at the back for everyone's luggage for a weeklong Baguio trip and still further room for pasalubong. As for the engine, we have a 2011 Santa Fe which uses the same engine as the current Carnival. Power is definitely very far off from the Hiace even with the 3.0 engine (our Japan surplus 1KZ Granvia has similar power output!) and at 58tkms, so far so good in terms of maintenance.

Not considering the Grand Starex?

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[dct]

I'll suggest starex. Kasing laki ng hiace, kasing comfy ng carnival. Kung di ka lang tight budget I'd recommend starex from gray market kasi 4 rows ang offer nila dun. Unlike hari na 3 rows lang. Once in a blue moon lang dumating ang 4 rows sa hari

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[GTi]

GL Grandia sir. Super Grandia is tight for our budget.Is the ride comfort of Super Grandia and GL Grandia the same?

Thank you for your imput sir. I remember seeing the Starex just once at a mall expo, but there were some loose parts in interior fit and finish, so I wasn't that impressed. Also, I've been hearing about the not-so-stellar after market sales of hyundai dealership, so it wasn't in our list. We'll try to look into again sir.






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Advantages of the Starex over the GL Grandia include a much better ride quality due to the independent rear suspension versus the leaf springs in the GL. Then there's the advantage of having dual sliding doors, as well as a 40hp difference in power. Safety and ease of maintenance is also in favor of the Starex due to the engine located in front and not under the front seats.

Do you casa maintain your cars? I agree with Hyundai's after sales service. The lines are too long and parts prices are high. We have two Hyundai's and I've experienced this firsthand. Kia has much better service simply due to fewer vehicles being serviced. But then this isn't a problem if you have maintenance done outside. Parts aren't hard to find and neighborhood mechanics are already familiar with them.

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[Junichiro]

I'll suggest starex. Kasing laki ng hiace, kasing comfy ng carnival. Kung di ka lang tight budget I'd recommend starex from gray market kasi 4 rows ang offer nila dun. Unlike hari na 3 rows lang. Once in a blue moon lang dumating ang 4 rows sa hari

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Thank you for your imput. Are the current starex reliable sir?

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[Junichiro]

Advantages of the Starex over the GL Grandia include a much better ride quality due to the independent rear suspension versus the leaf springs in the GL. Then there's the advantage of having dual sliding doors, as well as a 40hp difference in power. Safety and ease of maintenance is also in favor of the Starex due to the engine located in front and not under the front seats.

Do you casa maintain your cars? I agree with Hyundai's after sales service. The lines are too long and parts prices are high. We have two Hyundai's and I've experienced this firsthand. Kia has much better service simply due to fewer vehicles being serviced. But then this isn't a problem if you have maintenance done outside. Parts aren't hard to find and neighborhood mechanics are already familiar with them.

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Thank you for your imput sir. We maintain all our cars in casa especially for the warranty period, since we all don't know much about car maintenance and does not have mechanic we can trust.

How is the reliability of starex sir? How are the fit and finish of interior componets compared to the Grandia and Carnival?

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[dct]

Thank you for your imput. Are the current starex reliable sir?

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Wala pang 2 yrs old ang starex namin e. So cannot comment about that. Maybe other tsikoters can comment

Add ko lang. Pag tao lang palagi sasakay mo, starex na. Pero pag madalas ka magkarga bg gamit, hiace na. Dumadapa na suspension ng starex pag nagkarga ng mabigat. Trade off for having a comfy ride, which is opposite sa hiace na mas ok kargahan. Pero medyo matagtag

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[GTi]

I have a ninong who has a 2008 Starex HVX that survived Ondoy. They're still using it regularly.

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[Junichiro]

get the super grandia, the 2 captain chairs are ideal for senior pax...

Thanks for the imput sir. Medyo over the budget na po kasi pag SG. That's why we considered the Carnival because of similar seating config, automated seats, with lower ride height price than Hiace.

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[EQAddict]

I have a 11-seater carnival. One of the best purchases i made. Kids love it. Wife loves the 2nd row. I like driving it at times. Modern engine and gearbox. Ammenities, comfort and power everywhere. It doesnt have the outright space of the hi ace though. But for day to day duties done in comfort and relative serenity.....this is the one. And the pricing cant be beat.

Looks really good too. A modern MPV.

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[GTi]

One of the disadvantages of the Hiace that I've noticed is the high roof which makes it unable to enter many indoor parking facilities. This will be a big headache if you do not have a driver.

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[Junichiro]

I have a 11-seater carnival. One of the best purchases i made. Kids love it. Wife loves the 2nd row. I like driving it at times. Modern engine and gearbox. Ammenities, comfort and power everywhere. It doesnt have the outright space of the hi ace though. But for day to day duties done in comfort and relative serenity.....this is the one. And the pricing cant be beat.

Looks really good too. A modern MPV.

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Thanks for the input sir. Yes the exterior styling and all its power amenities makes it feel more upscale than the rest. How are its FC and after sales so far?

Re. The pricing, when I inquired recently, the SRP of the 11str was at Php1.725M before discount, putting it squarely against the Grandia and Starex. Would you still consider it as good value for money?

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[Wh1stl3r2]

Agree with Eq. It is a much more refined package. Engine, interior appointments, ergonomics, etc. It is really wide though. 105 mm wider than the GL Grandia. Narrow parking slots will be an issue. Ground clearance given its long wheelbase might also be an issue with large speed bumps.

Even if you're not confident about the long term reliability and/or durability of the Kia, just sell it after 5 years. The Hiace will of course command better residuals but you pay more up front for it anyway.

[Junichiro]

One of the disadvantages of the Hiace that I've noticed is the high roof which makes it unable to enter many indoor parking facilities. This will be a big headache if you do not have a driver.

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Is that also true for the GL Grandia as well? I know the LXV (High roof version) has height restriction in entering indoor parking areas.

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[Junichiro]

Wala pang 2 yrs old ang starex namin e. So cannot comment about that. Maybe other tsikoters can comment

Add ko lang. Pag tao lang palagi sasakay mo, starex na. Pero pag madalas ka magkarga bg gamit, hiace na. Dumadapa na suspension ng starex pag nagkarga ng mabigat. Trade off for having a comfy ride, which is opposite sa hiace na mas ok kargahan. Pero medyo matagtag

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How is the FC, after-sales of your Starex so far sir? Have you been experiencing trouble with the Hyundai dealership services?

Mostly tao nman ang sasakay sir, with some occational cargo around 70-100kg at the back.

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[GTi]

Is that also true for the GL Grandia as well? I know the LXV (High roof version) has height restriction in entering indoor parking areas.

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Oo bro. Vertical clearance for the GL is 2105mm as per specs. LXV is only 185mm taller. I distinctly remember Trinoma's parking having a 1.9m vertical clearance. My Japan surplus Granvia has a height of 1965mm. Pilit naipasok though medyo nakakatakot na tingnan dahil parang sasabit na sa mga low hanging pipes and lights. But apparently they flat out do not allow Grandia's to enter the higher levels of the parking facility.

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