I admit I'm a bit biased when it comes to cars. Not so much towards specific manufacturers, but to V8s, turbochargers, low-profile tyres, power and performance.
I just like them better; who doesn't? That's why I was less than excited about the arrival of Nissan's Grand Livina at our offices recently.
This thing has seven seats, a naturally-aspirated 1.6, balloon-sized rubber and a blatant disregard for style. Before I even laid first glance, I predicted a thrashing; pure frustration really, as everyone else here at Motoring is driving multi-million rand GTs, 300-odd-kilowatt sedans and big comfy double cabs. Unfair.
But I'm feeling nice today. Maybe it's because I had pizza for breakfast, or because I got a good night's sleep. Maybe it's the weather. Or maybe ... just maybe, it's because of this Grand Livina.
I know you're laughing now. You think guys like me are afraid to criticise a car for fear of consequence and repercussion. You think I'm trying to stroke Nissan's ego purely for brownie points ahead of the GT-R supercar's arrival in South Africa.
Well, you're wrong. I'm truly enjoying the Grand Livina. The Acenta+ model that we received on test comes complete with niceties like genuine cowskin upholstery and some wooden bits scattered here and there.
Most of it is faux-walnut, but the steering wheel feels like the real thing and I love the way it slides through my palms while negotiating the twisties.
Speaking of twisties, this so-called minivan loves them. Minivan makers are forever preaching to us about how car-like their kiddie haulers are, and honestly speaking the Grand Livina is exactly that. No doubt because it's derived from the smaller 5-seater Livina which is derived from the smaller yet Tiida hatch.
This front-wheel drive chassis, combined with a spunky 1.6-litre four-banger, is surprisingly nimble. Ignore the fact that there's a third row of seats and eight cupholders, and this could easily be a sporty little hatch like a Fiesta or Polo. It certainly doesn't behave like the van it's meant to be.
Nissan has launched a direct attack on Toyota's Avanza with the Grand Livina. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these two mini-minivans form a segment of their own. Anything even remotely resembling one of these 7-seaters costs much more.
Our Acenta+ with real cowhide and Japanese teak trim comes in at less than R160 000. That's unheard of in this neck of the woods. Without the plus sign and trimmed with genuine cloth and plastic, it sells for just under R147 000.
Granted, most of the more expensive rivals will be much higher specced, but for a spanking new seven-seat pool car the Grand Livina's a bargain.
Superb fit and finish
You might expect a compromise somewhere. Surely for what seems to be a bargain price, they've skimped somewhere. I thought so too. An Avanza has a cheap feel to it, but the Livina's fit and finish is superb.
The leather trim stuck to the door panels is rippled just like that of a Lexus. Nissan's got a luxury brand elsewhere in the world where it's obviously learning this craft, but because Infinitis aren't sold here I say Lexus.
Okay, there are a couple of pitfalls. The steering column is adjustable for height only and the fronts seats aren't adjustable for height.
There's also a lack of storage compartments and cubbys that I think should be plentiful on cars like this; I think it was also cheaper for Nissan to make this car with conventional rear doors and not the sliding type usually found in minivans.
Don't be too concerned with the rear doors though. Even through the small aperture, access to the third row of seats is possible. The middle row folds forward nicely allowing little ones to jump through to the back.
What, you didn't expect me to say two adults did you? This car does have seven seats, but it's no Putco bus. The third row (which can fold flat for normal luggage space) is strictly kiddie territory.
Verdict
Two sizes up from a Nissan Tiida, the Grand Livina is more of seven-seat car than anything else; it doesn't suffer from the usual cumbersome-ness normally associated with full-scale minivans.
A Chrysler Grand Voyager is fantastic to take the kids to school with, but how does it fare once empty? The Grand Livina is a young-at-heart minivan with some surprising driver appeal at a good price. I give it two thumbs up. - Star Motoring