Gran Max Panel Van vs Semi-Panel Van vs Pick-Up: Which Should Your Business Buy?
Published: 27 October 2026·Last updated: 27 October 2026
Not sure which Daihatsu Gran Max to buy? Compare the Panel Van, Semi-Panel Van and Pick-Up by seats, load space, price and best use.
Choose the Panel Van if you only carry goods, the Semi-Panel Van if you also carry up to four workers, and the Pick-Up if your business needs a custom body such as a box, chiller or mobile cafe. All three share the same 1.5-litre petrol engine, so the decision is about seats, cargo space and price.
The three models at a glance
| Panel Van | Semi-Panel Van | Pick-Up | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Transmission | Manual or automatic | Manual or automatic | Manual only |
| Selling price from (RM) | 78,488 (MT) | 87,888 (MT) | 73,388 (MT, before body) |
| Cargo space | Enclosed, 2,075 mm long | Enclosed, shared with rear seats | Open deck, body of your choice |
| Stock | Ready stock | Ready stock | Made to order |
| Best for | Delivery, logistics, servicing | Crews with tools and goods | Food trucks, cold chain, hawkers, trades |
Prices are from our price list.
Gran Max Panel Van: the cargo specialist
The Panel Van has a cargo area of 2,075 mm x 1,495 mm x 1,340 mm, a low 620 mm loading floor and sliding doors on both sides with a rear door opening 1,305 mm wide. Daihatsu Malaysia quotes a maximum load of 750 kg for the van. It is the cheapest enclosed option and the usual choice for courier, parcel and service businesses.
Gran Max Semi-Panel Van: workers plus goods
The Semi-Panel Van adds a rear seat row, making it a five-seater. It costs RM9,400 more than the Panel Van in either manual or automatic. If you regularly send a team of three or four to job sites with tools, it saves running a second vehicle.
Gran Max Pick-Up: a platform for conversions
The Pick-Up is sold made to order because most buyers specify a body. Choices include steel, wooden, box van, luton van, hawker van, chiller, freezer and mobile cafe. The maximum load is 800 kg. See our full Pick-Up body conversion guide for prices.
One mechanical difference worth knowing: according to our spec sheet, the Pick-Up uses leaf springs at the rear, while the Panel Van uses a 5-link coil spring setup.
What does automatic cost?
The automatic is RM4,500 more than the manual on both the Panel Van and the Semi-Panel Van. The Pick-Up is available in manual only.
Quick chooser
- Parcels, boxes or equipment only: Panel Van
- Crew of up to four plus goods: Semi-Panel Van
- Cooked food, drinks or frozen goods: Pick-Up with a specialist body
- Mostly stop-start city driving: choose an automatic Panel Van or Semi-Panel Van
- Need a vehicle quickly: Panel Van and Semi-Panel Van are in ready stock; the Pick-Up is made to order
FAQ
Which Gran Max has the most cargo space? The enclosed Panel Van has the most protected space. The Pick-Up's usable volume depends on its body.
Can the Semi-Panel Van carry the same load as the Panel Van? It gives up cargo space to the rear seats, so measure your cargo first.
How long does a Pick-Up take? It is made to order. Ask us for the latest estimated completion timeline.