The Toyota Noah (Japanese: トヨタ・ノア, Hepburn: Toyota Noa) is a minivan with two rear sliding doors built by Toyota and sold mainly in Asian countries. It is positioned below the Alphard, and above the Sienta. The Noah was also positioned below the Estima until the latter was discontinued in 2019.
Being a front-wheel drive-based vehicle, it replaces the rear-wheel drive-based TownAce/LiteAce Noah, while retaining the "R" model code series and generation numbering. In contrast with its predecessor, the Noah features rear sliding doors on both sides.[4]
The twin version of the Noah is named the Toyota Voxy (Japanese: トヨタ・ヴォクシー, Hepburn: Toyota Vokushī). It is marketed as the sportier version of the Noah, featuring split-type headlights and clear taillight lens, a styling trait that would later be shared with the larger Vellfire. For the third generation, another twin version was also available, named the Toyota Esquire (Japanese: トヨタ・エスクァイア, Hepburn: Toyota Esukwaia). It was marketed as the more luxurious version of the Noah, sported a different grille design and more upmarket interior. Starting with the fourth generation, the Noah is also rebadged and sold by Suzuki as the fourth-generation Suzuki Landy (Japanese: スズキ・ランディ, Hepburn: Suzuki Randi), which replaced the previous Nissan Serena-based model.[2]
Up until the third generation, the vehicle was specifically developed to provide variants that complies with the Japanese dimension regulations for compact vehicles with length dimensions under 4,700 mm (185.0 in) and width under 1,700 mm (66.9 in) ("class five" vehicle), which placed it in the lower end of the annual road tax bracket which contributed to its high demand.[5][6] Since the fourth generation, all variants have exceeded the 1,700 mm (66.9 in) width limit, which made it classified as a "class three" vehicle.
For the first three generations, the Noah is based on the same platform as the Ipsum, with improvements and upgrades throughout its successive generations while retaining most of the rear floor panel.[7] Since the fourth-generation model, the Noah adopted the TNGA platform.[8]
The Noah was once exclusive to Toyota Corolla Store Japanese dealerships, the Voxy to Netz Store, and the Esquire to Toyopet Store. On 1 May 2020, the Noah, Voxy, and Esquire became available at all Toyota dealership sales channels in Japan (Toyota Store, Toyopet Store, Corolla Store and Netz). The Esquire was later discontinued in December 2021.[1]
The first-generation Noah and Voxy were released in November 2001. Newly developed based on the Ipsum platform, it is the first time the Noah nameplate adopted a front-wheel drive layout.[9] The model is equipped with the H∞ TEMS suspension.[10]
The facelift model was released in August 2004 and was discontinued in June 2007.
After the NAV1 was discontinued in January 2017 due to declining sales, it was replaced by the facelifted third-generation Voxy in August of the same year, which is imported from Japan.[15] A total of 4,483 NAV1s were sold.[16]
The third-generation Noah and Voxy were introduced in January 2014. For the first time, an engine start-stop system was used to improve fuel economy. It was also the first Toyota minivan to have one-touch sliding doors. In October 2014, the Esquire was launched, which was marketed as a more luxurious version of the Noah. The monthly sales target was set at 3,400 units for Noah, which was sold at Toyota Corolla Store dealership chain and 4,600 units for Voxy sold at Netz Store dealerships.[22]
The lower grade levels of the third-generation Noah (without the "aero body" package, which came standard for the Voxy and Esquire) maximized its exterior dimensions within Japanese dimension regulations by increasing its length by 100 mm (3.9 in) to 4,695 mm (184.8 in). By adopting a newly developed low-floor platform, the overall height of the third-generation model is reduced by 25 mm (1.0 in) compared to the previous model, while the interior height is increased by 60 mm (2.4 in) to 1,400 mm (55.1 in).[22]
The Noah/Voxy/Esquire received a facelift on 3 July 2017 with changes to the lights, bonnet (hood), bumper and the front fender, and was discontinued in late 2021.
The facelifted third-generation Voxy was launched in Indonesia on 10 August 2017. Unlike the preceding NAV1, which was assembled locally, the Voxy was imported from Japan. Export to Indonesia began in July 2017. It was only offered in one grade equivalent to the Japanese ZS grade.[23][24]
The fourth-generation Noah and Voxy were introduced on 13 January 2022, which are built on the GA-C platform that is revised and adapted for minivans.[7][26] The Esquire nameplate was not continued in this generation.
The length and wheelbase of the fourth-generation model is unchanged from its predecessor, although the width dimension for all models is 1,730 mm (68.1 in), which is 35 mm (1.4 in) wider than the lower variant third-generation Noah. As the result, Noah/Voxy model exceeded the 1,700 mm (66.9 in) threshold of the "compact car" class under Japanese dimension regulations.[28]
The Noah is offered in X, G, Z, S-G, and S-Z grade levels, while the Voxy is only available in S-G and S-Z grades.[29] For the first time, the Noah no longer wears the stylized 'N' insignia on the front end, with Toyota's corporate triple oval emblem replacing it.
The Noah is also marketed by Suzuki in Japan as the fourth-generation Suzuki Landy since 8 August 2022 through an OEM agreement, replacing the previous Nissan Serena-based model.[2]
The fourth-generation Voxy was launched in Indonesia on 17 February 2022.[30] Like the previous model, it is only offered in one grade with Toyota Safety Sense as standard equipment.[31]
^"次世代ミニバンは両側スライドドア---『ノア』『キャパ』『エルグランド』etc" [Next-generation minivans have sliding doors on both sides --- "Noah", "Capa", "Elgrand", etc.]. レスポンス（Response.jp） (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
^"新車で買える5ナンバーサイズのミニバン人気おすすめランキング｜2021年最新情報" [Popular recommended ranking of 5 number size minivans that can be bought with new cars | 2021 latest information]. Car Moby. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
^Dadan Kuswaraharja (21 December 2012). "Merasakan Baby Alphard di Kota Udang" [Testing the Baby Alphard in the City of Shrimps]. detikOto. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
^ ab"新型「ノア／ヴォクシー」が低床プラットフォームから得た2つのメリット" [Two advantages of the new Noah/Voxy from the low-floor platform]. MONOist (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
^"新型トヨタ・ノア／ヴォクシーが4代目にフルモデルチェンジ。「GA-C」プラットフォーム採用で全面的に進化したその中身は…？" [The new Toyota Noah/Voxy has undergone a full model change to the 4th generation. What is the content that has completely evolved with the adoption of the "GA-C" platform?]. Motor-Fan[モーターファン] (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
^"トヨタ ノア 新車販売台数の推移/売れ行きと生産状況は？ - クルマを買う！" [Toyota Noah New car sales trends/sales and production status? - Buy a car!]. kuru-ma.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 September 2022.
^"トヨタ ヴォクシー 新車販売台数の推移/売れ行きと生産状況は？ - クルマを買う！" [Toyota Voxy New car sales trends/sales and production status? - Buy a car!]. kuru-ma.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 September 2022.
^"トヨタ エスクァイア 新車販売台数 - クルマを買う！" [Toyota Esquire new car sales - Buy a car!]. kuru-ma.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 July 2022.
^"Beli Toyota Voxy Masih Harus Inden 2 Bulan" [Buying a Toyota Voxy, you still have to pivot for 2 months]. kumparanOTO (in Indonesian). Indonesia. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
