Which minivan is the real "King Of Minivan"?

With the launch of the Nissan Elgrand E52 since last week, Nissan calls this new Elgrand the "King Of Minivan" because of its new look, new features, new platform, and the new XTRONIC CVT offered.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

The only question for minivan enthusiasts, especially those who are in the Philippines is, which minivan truly deserved to be the "King of Minivan"?

Let me go straight to the point. In the U.S., the minivan business doesn't seem to be decent. There is Chrysler offering the Town and Country (also known as the Grand Voyager in other countries) and Dodge offering the Grand Caravan. It seems that only the Chrysler brands offer minivans that Ford and General Motors used to have but they don't due to slow sales.

Video: Chrysler Group LLC (via YouTube)

Not only that, Japanese carmakers also built minivans only for the American market, targeted for the soccer moms, such as the Toyota Sienna, and the USDM Honda Odyssey. Word from the American headquarters from both Nissan Honda that they'll bringing the new Odyssey and the new Quest next year. The latest USDM Odyssey will be based on the current fourth-generation Odyssey sold in Japan and the latest Nissan Quest will be based on the new Nissan Elgrand, despite these two wearing different faces.

Photo: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Concept Shown)

Photo: NMAC (Pre-Production Shown)

In some countries like the Philippines, we've enjoyed buying used Japanese vans via grey market at Subic Bay. One of the most popular vans in the Philippines (by grey market or in official dealers) includes:

The first generation Toyota Estima (Previa in other markets) in regular, Emina, and Lucida versions.

Kia Carnival (from pre-facelift to post-facelift)

Hyundai Starex (from MC before to MC after)

Hyundai Grand Starex (popular in the Philippines since 2007)

Mitsubishi Space Gear

including hard-to-finds such as the Toyota Granvia, Nissan Elgrand E50, and the Mazda Bongo Friendee.

With so many new minivans sold but overpriced such as the latest Toyota Estima/Previa, the recently launched Toyota Alphard, the Kia Grand Carnival, and other vans sold in this country, the only minivan Filipinos called this a "King" is the Hyundai Grand Starex because of tis seating capacity, luxurious features, and even a limousine variant. Sounds weird but can I wait till NMPI or UMC will bring the Elgrand/Quest?

Even when the new Nissan Elgrand E52 gained the title "King Of Minivan", there are so many minivans in the world want to snag the crown taken from the E52 Elgrand. Will this title be remained on the new Elgrand, or waiting to be snagged by its rivals? This is going to be a tough one.