All-new 2026 Nissan Elgrand launched in Japan: From RM 173k, e-4ORCE AWD as standard

Nissan has launched the all-new 2026 Nissan Elgrand in Japan, marking the return of its premium MPV with a redesigned body, hybrid powertrain, and a stronger focus on rear-seat comfort. The new model is positioned as a high-end people mover for buyers who want luxury-car features in a practical seven- or eight-seat package.

The fourth-generation Elgrand follows a familiar formula for the Japanese market, where large MPVs remain an important alternative to SUVs for chauffeur-style use and family travel. Nissan says the new model is built around a calmer, more refined driving experience, with comfort and efficiency treated as the main priorities.

Visually, the new Elgrand moves away from the softer look of the previous generation and adopts a more upright, more formal stance. The front end is dominated by a large grille and a sharper lighting signature, while the overall silhouette remains boxy to preserve interior space and easy access.

Inside, the cabin has been reworked to give the Elgrand a more upscale atmosphere. Nissan has placed emphasis on more premium materials, wider seating comfort and a more lounge-like second row, consistent with the model’s role as a premium MPV rather than a mainstream family van.

The biggest mechanical change is the move to electrified power. The new Elgrand uses Nissan’s latest e-Power hybrid system, encompassing a power generator-specific, turbocharged 1.5-litre ZR15DDTe mated to a 5-in-1 e‑POWER electric powertrain. It's also worth noting that Japan gets the Elgrand exclusively as an all-wheel drive (AWD) model, with Nissan's e‑4ORCE electric all-wheel drive system.

Nissan has not positioned the model as a performance product; instead, the powertrain is intended to deliver smooth response and relaxed long-distance cruising.

Nissan also highlighted the latest driver-assistance and safety technology for the model. The Elgrand arrives with a broader set of electronic aids than before, reflecting the growing expectation in Japan that premium MPVs should offer the same active safety support now common in luxury SUVs.

The launch keeps the Elgrand firmly in the upper end of the Japanese MPV segment, where it competes more on comfort and prestige than on sheer affordability. That positioning makes it relevant in markets where full-size MPVs are valued as executive transport, school-run vehicles and long-distance family cruisers.

What about Malaysia?

The Nissan Elgrand would certainly give Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) a fighting chance in the premium MPV segment, competing not just against the likes of the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire, but its electrified powertrain would also mean that the Elgrand can compete against similar electrified Chinese MPVs.

For added context, ETCM did launch the previous-generation Elgrand here in Malaysia, about 15 years ago. Granted, its 3.5-litre engine was a swell one, but the high road tax (~RM 2.5k annually) can be a deal-breaker for some. 

However, the new-gen model seen here adopts a smaller 1.5-litre e-Power petrol-electric hybrid, which is definitely more wallet-friendly than ever before. Could this convince ETCM to introduce this model as their flagship MPV here? Time will tell.