The Batman connection is a puzzling one. Yet given the newly unveiled Toyota Esquire is being rolled out exclusively for the Japanese market, perhaps there's a joke here that those living outside the country simply won't understand. In any event, the new luxury van is comfortably smaller than the Sienna and is essentially a 'deluxe' variant of the Toyota Noah. There's also a sporty model called the Voxy. Superior styling is what sets the Esquire apart from its siblings.

A dominant T-shaped chrome grille with vertical slashes sports a unique badge and the letters Esq, chrome also adorns the lower window frame, while tinted glass obscures those in the rear seats. Inside, the cabin can accommodate seven or eight passengers, with wheelchair-enabled models also on offer. Synthetic leather, wood, and metallic trim combine to create a sense of luxury, while a flat floor design and electronically sliding door make for easy access. Power comes from a 150-hp 2.0-liter four pot, or a 134-hp hybrid drivetrain. Prices range from 2.6 to 3.2 million yen, and Toyota is confident it will shift 4,000 units annually.