Nissan has introduced the fourth generation of the Elgrand minivan, which aims to be a worthy response to the Toyota Alphard in the Japanese market. This vehicle is equipped with the latest e-Power hybrid system, and its cabin offers luxurious zero-gravity seats with ottomans.
Return of a Legend
In Japan, the Elgrand was one of Nissan’s most popular models for many years after its debut in 1997. It effectively created the premium minivan segment in the country, but sales plummeted in recent years as the design became outdated. Now, an all-new Elgrand has finally been unveiled, and Nissan wants it to be a true answer to the Toyota Alphard. American buyers, of course, will not be able to purchase it, as Nissan exited the minivan segment in the US years ago when the Quest was discontinued in 2017, leaving the market to the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey.
The new luxurious minivan was introduced late last year but has only now arrived at Japanese dealerships, 16 years after its predecessor appeared. The styling is a complete departure from everything Nissan sells, and under the hood is a third-generation e-Power hybrid system paired with the e-4orce electric all-wheel-drive system.
Design Like a Concept Car
Visually, the new model draws on the 2023 Hyper Tourer concept and Nissan’s “Timeless Japanese Futurism” design language. The most striking feature is the radical front grille and daytime running lights, which make the Elgrand look more like a concept than a production vehicle.
At the Elgrand’s unveiling in Yokohama earlier this week, Nissan’s Corporate Director of Marketing and Sales in Japan, Akira Sugimoto, stated:
“Since the launch of the first-generation Elgrand, it has consistently provided customers in Japan with new mobility. We see the new Elgrand as a key model that will contribute to Nissan’s future growth.” The company desperately needs its success.
Return from the Brink
According to a Nikkei Asia report, Nissan sold only 1,163 units of the previous Elgrand in Japan for the 2025 fiscal year. For comparison, Toyota sold 81,357 Alphards during the same period. Nissan has not disclosed how many new Elgrands it hopes to sell but notes that it has received over 6,000 orders since the end of May. More than 5,000 of these came from retail customers, with the rest from corporate buyers.
The Elgrand certainly has many advantages. The e-Power hybrid system combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, where the engine works exclusively as a generator, and the motor drives the wheels. Final output has not yet been confirmed, but Nissan claims the system produces over 500 Nm of torque. Whether this will be enough to convince buyers to abandon the Alphard remains to be seen.
Comfort and Handling Technologies
Adding to the minivan’s appeal is a clever suspension system that will likely make it popular among chauffeurs. Nissan calls it the Intelligent Dynamic Suspension system, noting that it constantly monitors the road ahead and actively adjusts damping. The e-4orce all-wheel-drive system also helps reduce body movements and optimize vehicle dynamics according to driving conditions.
The Best Seat is in the Back
The interior offers passengers plenty of enjoyment. A Bose audio system with 22 speakers handles the sound, while the second row features captain’s chairs. In the top trim, these Zero Gravity seats are equipped with ottomans and dual reclining backrests, allowing passengers to raise the upper section while watching rear displays.
Nissan has enlarged the cabin, widened the sliding door windows, and arranged the seats in a staggered layout across all three rows for better visibility. Up front, the wood-trimmed dashboard features two 14.3-inch screens, and 64-color ambient lighting runs along the doors. Buyers needing extra space can replace the second row with a three-seat bench.
Practical details are also top-notch: lightweight running boards, a partial opening function for the sliding doors, and a redesigned trunk that can hold seven suitcases when all seven seats are in use.
The new Elgrand starts at 6.87 million yen (approximately $42,300 at current exchange rates) in Japan. Nissan plans to sell it in other markets as well, though prices outside the domestic market have not yet been announced.
It is worth noting that this launch is critical for Nissan, which is going through a difficult period. Sales of the previous generation fell to a minimum, and the company is betting on technology and luxury to regain lost ground. The e-Power hybrid system and intelligent suspension are strong arguments, but the main challenge remains competition from the dominant Toyota Alphard. Whether the new Elgrand can shift the balance of power in the premium minivan market will become clear in the near future, once the first vehicles reach their owners.