Into-the-Box

Out-of-the-box the van is not. It is the wallflower in an automotive stable. It does the thankless job of transporting more than a handful of warm bodies to and fro, at velocities that have the family car just barely warming up. And while the pickup truck has the rugged appeal of a pair of jeans, the van has that of a breadbox, which is to say nil. But short of a bus, the van is one of the most efficient means of road-bound transportation. There’s nothing really novel or cutting edge with these vehicles; just good old, conservative values like passenger space and reliable transportation. Here then, are what’s available from major manufacturers and distributors and the latest prices based on the revised taxation scheme.

Chevrolet Venture

American size and muscle come in the form of the Venture, which comes with a 170-horsepower SOHC V6, dual sliding doors, sofa-like (which is to say comfy) seats that can be slid, folded or removed to maximize space, a modern interior, and dual airbags, ABS, and all-disk brakes in the "basic" P1.295M variant. The P1.375M LT version gets roof rails, two tone paint, leather upholstery, wood paneling, and a 6-disc CD/VCD changer with a flip-down LCD monitor. The V6 provides welcome grunt at the cost of being thirsty to the tune of 4-5 kilometers to a liter, the 4-speed automatic is typically GM-smooth, and the ride from the all-independent suspension is plush without feeling weak-kneed.

Ford E-150 Chateau Wagon

It’s as big as the summer house you’re traveling to, and that’s the idea. Ford’s full-size van makes no apologies for its mass or its propensity to consume gasoline at the horrific rate of just 4 kilometers to a liter on average. Twelve people can comfortably fit inside the Chateau without feeling like sardines, and the upside to the 4.6-liter V8 is 235 horses and 462 Newton-meters of God’s own torque. The Chateau uses a platform that’s basically been updated through the many years for increased solidity, noise- and weight-reduction. It may be unwieldy to drive in traffic, but that’s the driver’s problem for this corporate shuttle/clan vehicle/customizable mobile love nest.

Chrysler Town & Country

The Town & Country is the upmarket version of the wildly popular Chrysler minivan that helped put the company back on the map during the pre-DaimlerChrysler days. Attractively designed, adequately powered, and with an opulent interior that avoids being ornate, the Town & Country offers one of the best rides in town...or in the country, hehe. Few service centers and relatively expensive spare parts are caveats to this premium-priced P2.150M van, though.

Hyundai Starex

The unmistakable hit from Korea owes its success to gray market importers. It was sold at sub-P1M prices at a time when a competitor such as the Mitsubishi Space Gear had almost the same features and specifications but which was priced above that threshold. The styling is a tad porky, the turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter diesel is merely adequate for the task of pulling it around town at pedestrian speeds, but comfortable seats, lots of window area, and a generally well-built feel make it to many a prospective van-buyer’s short list. Starexes sold by Hyundai Asia Resources — the official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines — are pricier than what a gray market dealer might have, but come with a 3 year/100,000 kilometer warranty. The SVX with a 5-speed manual sells for P995,000 and the 4-speed automatic is P1.068M. A Club variant with more features is P1.264M, and the 12-seater Jumbo with a manual is P985,000.

Kia Pregio

The Pregio soldiers on with space for 12 and a 2.7-liter diesel that churns out 83 horses. Notable is an all-independent suspension composed of front double wishbones and rear coil springs. With varying trim levels, the Pregio starts at P640,000 with the RS Basic. An additional forty grand gives you the RS De Luxe. The "Neo" with the manual transmission is P775,000, while the 4-speed automatic is P810,000.

Kia Sedona

The Sedona is modeled after American minivans such as the Chevrolet Venture and Chrysler Town & Country, offering a ton of standard features at comparatively lower prices. There’s a 129-horsepower, 2.5-liter DOHC V6, and an even gutsier 2.9-liter inline-4 turbodiesel that pumps out 135 horses. The Sedona pulls with aplomb with either engine, and it offers such people-carrier niceties like dual sliding doors, sliding and reclining captain’s seats in the LS, and a front seatback folding table. The RS with the 5-speed manual is priced at P995,000, while the 4-speed automatic is P1.065M. The LS has the automatic as standard along with rear back-up sensors, dual airbags, ABS, two-tone paint, and it’s priced at P1.250M.

Mitsubishi Space Gear

The Space Gear received a facelift last year and an important upgrade under the hood: the availability of a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. The 132-horsepower motor is matched to a 4-speed automatic, and the combo finally gives it some much needed verve. The interior has been freshened up with better looking gauges and seat fabric, and it has the largest LCD screen in its class to watch VCDs with: 10.4 inches. The Space Gear has a light footed feel that belies its size, but the suspension’s a bit harsher than most. It’s priced at P1.40M.

Nissan Serena Q-RV Limited

While the Space Gear tries to look sporty, the Serena tries to look luxurious with chrome trim and other Cefiro-ish styling elements. It has a 145-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine, a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, and an all-independent suspension that gives a plush ride. Other Cefiro-ish touches include rear back-up sensors; dual zone, automatic climate control; and a 6-speaker CD/VCD system with an LCD screen in the "R" variant. Safety features for the "R" include a driver airbag and ABS. The manual variant is the "U" and it’s priced at P1,199,000. The "R" has the 4-speed automatic and it’s priced at P1,399,000.

Nissan Urvan

The Urvan’s chiseled lines give a modern look to an otherwise conventional people-carrier. The P1.460M Estate has a 3.0-liter, DOHC diesel with 105-horsepower, a 5-speed manual transmission, a 2-DIN stereo, white-faced gauges, rear wiper and washer, and expensive-feeling moquette upholstery to go with the generous leg- and headroom. An additional ten grand buys you two-tone paint for the Estate. The 15-seater Shuttle is P870,000, but that only gets you a 2.5-liter diesel with 75 horses, and a cassette player to go with the standard power steering, locks, and windows. The 12-seater Escapade is P910,000. If you’re really cramming, the 18-seater VX is P870,000.

Toyota HiAce

Four variants of the HiAce are available: the utilitarian Commuter (P917,000), the gasoline-powered GL (P972,000), and the ritzy Grandia (P1.273M) and Super Grandia (P1.358M). The diesel-powered, 82-horsepower Commuter seats 15 and the Grandia 11, while the Super Grandia and GL seat 10. The GL has only two rear benches, but these can recline. It has a carbureted, 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 95 horsepower. The Grandia differentiates itself from the masses with full moquette upholstery (the GL and Commuter use semi-fabric), as well as a sliding and rotating first row bench seat. The 2nd row is foldable, and the 3rd can slide/recline, and it has an armrest. The Super Grandia has a rear window defogger, sliding and rotating dual captains’ chairs for the 1st row, and the 2nd and 3rd row seats are the same as the Grandia’s. Power windows and door locks are standard on all but the Commuter. The Grandia and Super Grandia use a 90-horsepower, 3.0-liter diesel.

Toyota Previa

One of the best looking minivans on the market uses a DOHC 2.4-liter inline-four with Variable Valve Timing-Intelligent technology. It’s matched to a 4-speed automatic; the only transmission available. A McPherson strut-type front suspension and rear torsion beam deliver a smooth ride, while all-disc brakes and ABS provide strong stopping power. The dual sliding doors have retractable windows. Optitron gauges, sonar back-up sensors, a 2-DIN stereo system, automatic dual-zone climate control, and dual captains’ chairs further justify the 157-horsepower Previa’s rather high P1.688M price tag.