Elysion, along with Elgrand and Alphard, are rather popular among wealthy people here in Indonesia. I mean, you can have 150 supercars but if you don't have Alphard, Elysion or Elgrand, you're not rich enough. Probably.
@@Str4ngerr I think this is the case in many ASEAN countries. Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, all of them. The market turns out to be rather lucrative here.
@@zedzedhoney a quick google search says yes, you can get fascias that fit proper double din radios w android auto/apple carplay, and you can get the usual cheapo chinese tablet radios with android auto/apple carplay as well
These types of vans like the Alphard, Velfire and Elysion are very popular with the Yakuza mafia bosses in Japan. Few decades ago, they rolled up in either Toyota Century, or any V12 engined Mercedes S Class or a 7 Series. But as these yakuza bosses get older, they started to find it harder to get in-and-out-of these limousine types, which is why they tend to prefer those luxurious-type vans.
I think doing the old school intro with the camera works when you are doing it with someone’s car. With press cars I think your normal format is better.
I absolutely agree that it is a real shame that these wonderful people carriers don't get sold in the UK. If you have a larger family they are clearly great cars as they have the space that a lot of 7 seater SUVs just don't have.
Good to see some more coverage of these - Japan makes these awesome family vans but then doesn't sell them anywhere else. Considered Elysion but went for a Stepwgn because the rearmost seats flip up out of the way instead (and the engine is a 2.0 K20 used in lots of other stuff). Baffles me why people spend so much more on an old T5 or something instead. Oh, and tax on all these is the flat £270 a year as they don't have a CO2 rating - same as a pre-2001, over 1.5 litre car.
My dad got the first Renault Espace. Was so cool to be in the new big van thing and go on trips to Dunoon and air shows etc. Compared with the Audi 80 and Sierra sapphire which he had and which I also loved, I recall enjoying the space as a young child. Think it likely had a large engine too 😉
The first Espace was ,in my opinion a better people carrier than most are today A fiends dad had a blue and silver one a few days after they were released in the UK, as a tall teenager I thought it was just cool.
First gen Espace never got a big engine. The second gen got the PRV V6, the third gen got the much better PSA ES9J4S V6, and the fourth gen got the Nissan VQ35 (and also a 3.0 diesel V6).
My honda civic diesel had 260k on it when i scrapped it. It was running as sweet as a nut when i scrapped it. I scrapped it because (to quote the wife) "It stinks, stop being a tight arse and get a newer car". I put 255k of those miles on it, at a cost of 3.5p a mile in depreciation. What a car!
I like both intros, so long as we still get to see those often forgotten details. Love the quirky car reviews too, there’s a lot of interesting, under the radar stuff which many people may not know exists. Would love to see you review a Lotus Europa S!
I used to have a 3.5 V6 (engine from the Nissan 350Z) Renault Espace. It sounded glorious and went really well for a big bus. After lowering it and fitting some wide sticky rubber it cornered alright too.
Great, in my view if you would do a short walk around and interior look before each drive, a la Mr Metcalf. Otherwise your reviews are among the best out there.
Very entertaining review! This type of introduction suits the video quite well, as I often find myself yearning for some POV interior goodness to go with the driving experience. Keep up the good work!
What a great looking car, love the old school look of the interior but it still looks fresh (aside from the wood finish). 300 hp should give the car plenty of go when required. It's looks and sounds very smooth as well.
A review of the 3.5l elgrand would be great. Looking to get one of these jdm van/mpvs for my young family. The look perfect for a couple of children, the dog plus pushbikes etc. Love the content, keep up the good work.
For this kind of car I think this POV video tour of the interior works well! I've never liked the look of the Elysion but I would love a Honda Element, suicide doors on a SUV/van combo thing is hilarious.
I definitely like the intro style 👍. The actual review was worth a watch as I've never seen one of these motors before. Who needs a typical crossover when these are available? I will take JDM all day long, even though parts can be harder to source.
a lot of the engine and trans components are in numerous American cars (USDM Odyssey, Ridgeline, Pilot, Accord V6, TL, etc) idk about the interior trim pieces though
The parts depends on whether they share with models over here. I've got a Toyota Crown VX, and aside from the odd thing, wing marker fibre optic light, for example parts have been fine to be honest. There are some really good JDM parts places I use Jap Spares in Coventry and can usually get the parts to my door in Lincolnshire in no time and cost at all
I skip through Doug Demuro's looong quirks and features part, and even Furious Driving can take too long talking about the interior, for my liking. The way you covered this car i feel is right on the money. I got a good feel for the interior, without falling alseep.
I wouldn’t say I prefer this style of filming over you’re usual but the variety is welcome. Keep the JDM reviews coming though, this car is fantastic!!!
JayM. Looks like japanese ambulance ! Remember getting picked up in one of these MPV's in Port Moresby circa 2016 & recall the chilly wind worked lovely ? V.
@@Zerofightervi yep - the 2.4( need that for the ULEZ ) - its just an outlander with an MPV body - my import is still going through its SVA. It is also got the rare as hens teeth triple sunroofs so was £9.5k in Japan - add 33% for typical import costs - have a look at Goo-Net exchange for others...
@@christianhenderson3725 I used to have access to landed cost Mitsubishi parts through my Dad's work, unfortunately that's no longer the case as he's retired. I hope you get to enjoy your D:5 soon, cheers for the reply.
I own a 2004 RR4 Elysion with the J30a engine, it has PLENTY of go in it, an easy to access 250bhp is still not to be sniffed at. Also I have fitted a 10.1" Octa-Core Android infotainment system all working as it should, just not on the middle controls, but steering wheel controls work perfectly, and the 10.1" screen is excellent for Navigation. I have also removed the back row of seats. Great car. Oh forgot to add I have lightweight Nissan 350Z Rays Engineering forged 18's on it, a litte 'poke' from the low offset looks great imho.
New intro works well, so keep it up. I'd like to see some drive by scenes and maybe a scene of the beautiful landscapes You drive around in, while You tell about the car and driving experience.
The intro works well. Highlighting the quirks and characteristics of each car from the perspective of being there with it, is (to me at least) more interesting than a more curated format.
Quite fun when someone knows not much more than we do about a car - not fun on all your reviews but fun from time to time especially if it is one that you feel excited about (which in fairness might not include this vehicle😀)
James as long as you dont go overboard like Doug....explaining how the hell you open the door or the boot....ridiculous!...keep up the good work...still waiting for a review of a tip tip condition Citroen CX...cheers!
I remember driving a C25 JDM Nissan Serena, leather, 7-seater, auto-door and trunk and it also had the quirky sat nav with that sort of expansion card, but this one was bolted on top of the dashboard, as a dealer add-on. I was told it was a compact format to watch movies through the sat nav screen, must have been pretty popular if they just preferred to ruin the dashboard from the dealership. I enjoyed the new intro style even with the shaky camera.
When I was living in Hong Kong, every slightly affluent family had one of those. Between car tax and the price of petrol, they usually added a driver as it was hardly noticeable on the overall cost!
That is amazingly clean for as many miles it's covered. We drove a Honda Odyssey for many years when our kids were little, and it definitely didn't look that nice at 150K
This type of car makes a lot of sense. Must be my age..I agree with Andrew Davis and can just add that the handheld style goes better with showcasing querky design features - so went well here.
A good review of a nice and unusual minivan. In many ways, this appears to be a shrinked version of my American market 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring (I live in Sweden).
James. Nice change of intro to the car/minibus. Probably prefer your usual style, but if you have lmore than normal to show on the inside, perhaps do it this way. Interesting video as always, please keep going. Cheers
If you want to test an Elgrand and a Vellfire we will have some nice ones landing in June. We have some Elgrand’s at the moment but the cooler stuff is landing later on in the year
Thanks J. I liked the intro style, but your camera had trouble focusing a few times as you moved about. Japanese cars are quirky & good to see! p.s - You did that white mini van years ago when I first started watching?
That MUGEN grill gives it 50 more bhp... We are sure of it! keep doing it this way Jay, if you feel this is easier and could do more. tho some press cars deserves a more well rounded filming done.
There are a few of those here in New Zealand. Personally I own a 2009 Mazda MPV (or Mazda 8 in some countries) and it has more functionality than the Honda. On top of what you see in this one, the MPV gets Bose sound system, factory fitted body kit, electric boot door, front seat warmers, factory 18 inch wheels, auto wipers and auto driving lights and a very snappy 2.3L Turbo Intercooled engine. =)
My mom drives a 2012 us spec Nissan Quest. They are the same as the Japanese except for the front end and some interior bits. It’s super cool, really large (about as tall as a suburban and almost as long), and it’s also surprisingly quick, I think it has the vq engine but I’m really unsure. It sounds great though
Hello JayEmm Just come across your videos. Brilliant presentation style. Often funny and enjoyable. So far I have seen your Toyota Alphard and now the Honda Elysion. I'm a JDM lover really enjoying this. You mentioned not having driven an Elgrand. You can come and review my E52. Shout if you are interested. Send me a PM.
