I've been one of the few chosen individuals to test-drive the new Nissan Grand Livina at the Subic Bay Freeport and Subic International Raceway on May 22-23, 2008. The Livina is a new breed of MPVs that will surely kick the Innova's butt. Built lower than the common MPV, it has lower center of gravity and reduced body-roll. Its third row can be folded up completely, providing more space for your stuff, however, the second row doesn't give much leg-room (that was the only thing that bugged me).
It was such an experience to see this baby (from what I've seen, it's far from one) pushed to its limits. Packed under the hood is an MR-18 (derived from the Nissan X-Trail) 1.8L Gasoline Engine that spews out more than enough power to make this MPV fly -- I mean really fly! At second gear (it is worth mentioning that there is a SIXTH gear), you can still make the tires squeal. We made it run at 198 Kilometers per hour with three passengers and the aircon turned on, no sweat! Despite its power, it is unbelievably fuel-efficient -- 14++ kilometers per liter coming from Laguna, passing through congested Metro Manila roads, to the Total Station along NLEX (somewhere in one of the far Bulacan towns). We got that without even trying to ease on the accelerator! Event record of the same trip is at 24 kilometers per liter by no other than George Ramirez.
It handles well for its size and ride is pretty smooth. Well, that's because its suspension system shares the same technology with what the Nissan 350Z has. It really lives up to its promise as the MPV that feels and drives like a car.
I know the SRP already but prices are yet to be announced to the public, but I assure you it's worth the money. The base model already comes with the 1.8L Engine with Continuous Valve Timing Control (CVTC), electronic power steering, power locks and windows, MP3 Radio, and mags to boot!
If you have plans of buying an Innova, hold that off for now and wait for the handsome Nissan Grand Livina to come out. I tell you, you won't be dissappointed.
