Would the Previa fit this purpose?

[rafmac]

The 3rd row tumbles down and splits 60-40. So if you had your grand parents nurse you leave split the 3rd row for the nurse and the wheel chairs at the rear which still leaves you space for 4 pax but little luggage room.

The Grandis would have been ideal for your mom since its low and drives like a car. I have one and serves as a good family hauler. My typical weekend. Me, wife, 2 toddlers, 2 yayas and 2 strollers plus child seats and When I looked at the vans I asked them to demo the luggage space. The Previa could fit these but it didnt allow me enough luggage space

To anyone who's been inside the latest generation Previa, would you know if the 3rd row slides fore and aft? Or does it fold and tumble?

[IMm29]

Really bro? There's more room with the Grandis?

[rafmac]

Really bro? There's more room with the Grandis?

I'm not saying it has more room, when I checked the MPV's I asked the SA if I could load my kid's strollers to see if it will fit and how much luggage space will remain. It fits. My kids stroller's are big, but I don't know how it compares with wheel chairs, but it did fit the Previa with the half the 3rd row tumbled down, but it didn't leave much space. Thats the reason why I dropped the Previa from my list since I needed something much bigger. My advice is to test if the wheelchairs do fit and if you are satisfied with the remaining luggage space then go for it.

Sadly, the market for MP's is quite limited and you only have a few choices. Get the Q version of the Previa, the main difference is the leather seats, but I think its worth it as it is more comfy. I can't remember correctly, but please check with the dealer how long he wait time is as there are not much stocks and units come from Japan so if there are no units available, it might take some time to get here. The Carnival might be a good alternative, but get the LWB

[vinj]

^Ditto on that. I was inquiring about the Previa last year and they could only get a unit if i did a sizeable d/p and waited 4-6months for shipment.

[IMm29]

I'm not saying it has more room, when I checked the MPV's I asked the SA if I could load my kid's strollers to see if it will fit and how much luggage space will remain. It fits. My kids stroller's are big, but I don't know how it compares with wheel chairs, but it did fit the Previa with the half the 3rd row tumbled down, but it didn't leave much space. Thats the reason why I dropped the Previa from my list since I needed something much bigger. My advice is to test if the wheelchairs do fit and if you are satisfied with the remaining luggage space then go for it.

Sadly, the market for MP's is quite limited and you only have a few choices. Get the Q version of the Previa, the main difference is the leather seats, but I think its worth it as it is more comfy. I can't remember correctly, but please check with the dealer how long he wait time is as there are not much stocks and units come from Japan so if there are no units available, it might take some time to get here. The Carnival might be a good alternative, but get the LWB

Ah ok. That's true. The dimensions of the Grandis were better matched to your cargo. Thanks for the tip, I will be evaluating that, if ever I find a dealer with a unit I can evaluate. As per vinj's post in another thread, 6 months was the waiting time when they last asked. That's crazy! I think the major differences of the Standard and the Q are the leather seats and the power sliding doors, rear door and wheels. Chances are the wheelchairs are going to be standing side by side behind the 3rd row, but let's see how that goes.

I really like the way the Carnival LWB's 3rd row either folds flat into the floor or opens up a lot of underfloor space. Very practical. I believe this was an idea poached off the T&C. I wish the GS had some space saving features like that as well, but then that big boy has some height and can handle cargo in another way.

The downside with the Carnival, for me, at least for this purpose is, ironically, its size. It's cavernous but not shy of it. If I were to drive it on a daily basis, no problem, but that's me. My Mom's another story though, and that's the very reason she loves her 10 year old Altis to bits, coz it's easy to fit into most places. I keep trying to push for the Innova, coz it's just right for her driving style and ability, but it's too small for the purpose. The Previa might just do it. But an actual check will be needed.

[userfriendly]

Try to get your mom to test drive the Kia Carnival. It may be big and long but its easy to drive. My wife who has hardly driven for ages is now driving a Toyota Sienna which is about the same size as the Carnival. She has no problems driving and parking it. The Carnival is an American styled minivan with great space.

[IMm29]

Try to get your mom to test drive the Kia Carnival. It may be big and long but its easy to drive. My wife who has hardly driven for ages is now driving a Toyota Sienna which is about the same size as the Carnival. She has no problems driving and parking it. The Carnival is an American styled minivan with great space.

Thanks for the tip. I might just do that, especially if the Previa will take forever to get.

[myk384]

Wait, diba wala na ang Grandis sa market? I think na may mga stock ang mga dealer

[IMm29]

Grandis is no longer listed sa website ng MMC Phil.

[niky]

I still haven't decided. Its a toss up between the Odyssey and the Alphard. I wanted a black one but the 400k difference is making me think twice. Although I put in a reservation already for the Toyota, I still need to wait if matagalan the delivery, I would probably get the Honda.

What I just dont like about the Alphard, is that the AVT sourced multimmedia unit seems out of place in a 3m car.

Do check out the T&C, I was impressed by it and lots of nice features

Swapping out the head-unit is easy. Swapping the benches of the Odyssey for reclining captain's chairs with movable footrests is not.

The T&C is nice enough, but the Alphard feels like a more complete product.

[GTi]

I prefer the Carnival over the Previa. SWB variant length is pretty much the same as the Previa, costs about half as much and with better fuel efficiency. This one's made with the American market in mind, so safety, space and ride comfort is a given.

But then both of these wouldn't have much cargo space left with all the seats up if you load the wheelchairs, so we return to the LWB Carnival. The LWB Carnival is 32cm longer than the SWB. Though significant statistically speaking, but really not much to be too much of a trouble in manuevering, especially if you invest in proximity sensors fore and aft and a backup camera.

Its not really that much of a hard task driving large minivans, considering that many American moms drive these on a daily basis. Minivans were first and foremost designed for "soccer moms"!

[IMm29]

Its not really that much of a hard task driving large minivans, considering that many American moms drive these on a daily basis. Minivans were first and foremost designed for "soccer moms"!

There's just more room to move where minivans were invented.

But yeah, i would think my Mom could adapt if she wanted to. She was earlier contemplating a Fortuner to replace either her Altis or Tribute, and though a Fortuner is no LC in size, it's still a size bracket up. Either she adapts, or there's going to be another Carnival parked in their garage. Hehehe!

[userfriendly]

The only hard thing to do with the American style minivans is backing up. its just long. Easy solution is to get a backing sensor or camera if its not equipped with it.

[IMm29]

The only hard thing to do with the American style minivans is backing up. its just long. Easy solution is to get a backing sensor or camera if its not equipped with it.

Long and wide actually. At least tall is not part of the equation, unlike with the Grand Starex.

[niky]

There's just more room to move where minivans were invented.

That's the big issue with vans like the Carnival and Odyssey. Yes, you can adapt, but driving on a road like EDSA or Quezon Ave, you're always distinctly aware of how close the buses on both sides of you are. Then there are the roads where neither of these vans will fit side by side with oncoming traffic.

You can get used to it, however. And both are pretty car-like to drive, otherwise.

[IMm29]

That's the big issue with vans like the Carnival and Odyssey. Yes, you can adapt, but driving on a road like EDSA or Quezon Ave, you're always distinctly aware of how close the buses on both sides of you are. Then there are the roads where neither of these vans will fit side by side with oncoming traffic.

You can get used to it, however. And both are pretty car-like to drive, otherwise.

My point exactly. You could get used to it, but at the end of the day, it's still wide.

Thanks everyone for your inputs. Feel free to share some more.

As for me, it seems the Previa is fit for my Mom's purpose -- assuming the wheelchairs can fit with all the seats up. It's the price that isn't right and that's likewise a major consideration that will be mentioned to her. For more space requirements, there's our Grand Starex and Carnival LWB. If those wheelchairs don't fit, then there's another topic altogether.

[vinj]

Let your mom drive first a E150 and Super Grandia before she tests the Carnival. :D

[Horsepower]

How about you change to super slim folding wheelchairs? yung ang gulong parang pang luggage lang. Will that work?

[Horsepower]

Let your mom drive first a E150 and Super Grandia before she tests the Carnival. :D

Hahaha good thinking!

[IMm29]

Hahaha good thinking!

Wahaha! Panalo sa suggestion.