New Nissan Elgrand is Japan’s glorious JDM-spec minivan

You may have heard that Nissan has had a difficult time recently. In May, the company announced plans to cut 20,000 jobs and shut seven factories around the world in a desperate effort to save money.

At the same time, in a bid to shift more cars, it said it would concentrate solely on “signature Nissan models with strong nameplates” under its unfortunately named - yes, we appreciate the irony - Re:Nissan recovery plan.

Fourth-generation Nissan Elgrand

Here, then, is one such nameplate: the new fourth-generation Nissan Elgrand. This wonderfully JDM-spec minivan takes on the Toyota Alphard in Japan, and we can already imagine UK importers reaching for their phones.

A replacement is well overdue, as the existing Elgrand has been on sale since 2010, receiving only a handful of facelifts to maintain some sense of freshness. The new one looks smart, though, doesn’t it? Taking its cues from the 2023 Hyper Tourer concept, Nissan says the Elgrand uses its “Timeless Japanese Futurism” design language, including a speckled front end inspired by Kumiko, a Japanese woodworking technique.

Nissan Elgrand design and interior space

The front treatment flows into the lights and is joined by a full-width light bar, while the flanks and rear retain the expected boxy shape. That should be excellent news for cabin room. Nissan says the two finishes shown here are ‘Fuji Dawn’ on the lower body and ‘Shigoku’ above, with the latter said to represent elegance and nobility.

e-POWER hybrid power and e-4ORCE all-wheel drive

Power will come from Nissan’s newest e-POWER hybrid system, while an updated e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive setup will also be fitted. This suggests a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, although it will not drive the wheels directly. Instead, it generates electricity for a small battery, which then powers two electric motors. And the four-wheel-drive system is not intended to add off-road prowess: Nissan says the rear motor “suppresses vehicle pitching during acceleration and deceleration, providing a smooth, comfortable ride”. Now that is what we want to hear.

An ‘Intelligent Dynamic Suspension system’ is also promised to reduce body roll, while hands-off autonomous driving technology will be available at speeds below 31mph.

The cabin is suitably lavish, featuring ‘zero gravity captain’s chairs’ in the second row and a pair of 14.3in displays up front for the instrument panel and infotainment system. There is plenty of leather and small wood trim details too, alongside 64-colour ambient lighting and an optional 22-speaker Bose audio system. Japan really does know how to make a proper minivan.

The new Elgrand is due to arrive in Japan in summer 2026, and we genuinely hope Nissan officially brings it to the UK this time…