A grand affair

LESS than two years after it was introduced here, the Nissan Elgrand receives a major facelift that takes it higher up the premium scale. But it is not the updated exterior styling of this large MPV that makes the biggest impression. Rather, it is the new and overtly luxurious cabin, something that may help it to stand out in a market long dominated by the Vellfire and Alphard models from Toyota.

For model year 2014, Nissan Elgrand gets LED front and tail lamps, a new nose with a bigger and more imposing grille, plus a set of new 18-inch alloy rims. It also has what is internally referred to as a "super luxury trim", with all the bells and whistles that wealthier families who like this kind of car prefer. When it was first unveiled here, the Elgrand was a relatively basic eight-seater MPV. Authorised distributor Tan Chong Motor Sales still offers this variant, but now there is also a more upmarket seven-seat alternative.

The latter, which costs an extra $8,000, has opulent seats, including the centre row's pair of eight-way adjustable captain seats with ottoman feature. All seven are upholstered in the same factory-fitted diamond-patterned leather with contrast stitching.