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Although not destined for the US, is makes me wonder how come we need at least a 3.5L V6 to propel an SUV/Minivan while Japan “somehow” gets by with a similar capacity but smaller vehicle powered by a much more reasonable 1.5L ICE? (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=176740)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Toyota_Passo.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Dec. 29, 2008

2009 Toyota Passo

Tokyo - Toyota and Daihatsu began the nationwide launch of a seven-seater compact Minivan with three rows of seats that will be sold in Japan as the "Passo Sette".

The roomy, user-friendly compact is small enough to make handling easy yet big enough to accommodate seven people.

Safety

A high level of safety equipment is standard fare on most any vehicle no matter where in the world it is being produced but in Japan, things appear to be a bit behind. Side and Side curtains are standard on higher trim levels but optional on the least well equipped.

Like the not side and side curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC) are also an option-only for the lowest trim level.

Fuel Economy

The Passo is rated at 36.7 mpgUS on the Japan 10/15 which equates to approximately 24 mpgUS on the 08 EPA. To help the average driver achieve great FE, Toyota has included an Eco-Drive Indicator to promote fuel efficient driving.

Affordable Price

With its roomy interior, three rows of seats, ability to accommodate up to seven occupants, the lowest trim Passo is priced at a reasonable $16,400 tax incl.

Fit comparison

Looking at the base specs for the 7-passenger Passo, it is quite recognizable as a lengthened 2009 Honda Fit. Both have the same width although the Passo has an almost 10 inch longer wheelbase, 11 inch longer total length and 3.8 inch increase in height. Turning radius of both vehicles is approximately equivalent at just over 17 feet.

Although not a Fit comparison directly, Honda also has an 8-passenger version similar to the Passo called the Freed that was launched last May.

There's always the Mazda 5, which you can get with a manual transmission too with the base model starting at about $18k

Would be great to have it here but HP addicted Americans will automatically label it under powered.==Think back to the Toyota Previa.

I agree with JHU. The Toyota you describe sounds and LOOKS a lot like the Mazda5 which has been available here for some time, IS available with a 4cyl. and is rated at 22city/28hwy by EPA (manual trans.) Of course, Mazda isn't one of the teacher's pets on this web site so rarely gets mentioned.

I also have to agree with Rningonfumes that U.S. buyers want more power and speed than a smallish 4cyl. engine would deliver. Driving conditions in the U.S. are vastly different from those in Japan or Europe, longer distances, higher speeds, loaded down with camping equipment or hockey gear, etc. A small 4cyl. under those conditions would be pushing the edge of its envelope and probably wouldn't deliver mpg much better than a larger 4 or a small V6.

(Who remembers that Chrysler's minivans were only available with 4cyl. engines when they were first introduced?)

Oh yeah. We had one of those 4cyl Dodge Caravans! 2.5 Liters of tire smokin fun. ;) Actually the turbo versions could be quite fast at the dragstrip once they were gutted. We got as high as 27 and averaged 21 with the non-turbo version and 120hp. By comparison our Odyssey gets slightly better mileage with 250hp and much much better driving dynamics.

With Toyota recently putting their 2.7L four banger in the Highlander, I have high hopes it will appear in the Sienna. With their big V6 averaging 20mpg, I don't see why the 4-cyl couldn't get 24.

nf

The Mazda5 needs some competition. I'd like to see how a Toyota version would do. Most likely it would be more efficient than the Mazda.

I'm all for competition, too, Pale. I would bet, though, that if Toyota brought this minivan to the US market, they would put one of their larger 4cyl. engines in it so the gas mileage rating would be comparable to the Mazda5.

Personally, I think minivans in this class make more sense than almost any other vehicle out there. They can do almost anything one would ask of a car, have a small foot print, get really decent mileage, etc. Here's to hoping to see more of them. And maybe some hybrid versions, too!

THe consumer reports and reviews would label the minivan as underpowered, but how about a family that can only afford so much, has a lot of kids to take care of, and doesnt want to be paying out the butt for gas and initial car payment? Do we have a winner here? Regardless of what this gets labeled as, beggars cannot be choosers.

I'm looking forward to seeing the 7 seater Yaris in 2011 model year. I've read Toyota is using innovations from the iQ to make such a car that's not much bigger than a current Yaris and has limo grade leg room, what ever that means.