No one likes to be designated driver, especially when it comes to carpool duty. Yet if any designated driver were to have the Toyota Previa, he might be inclined to reconsider. Few cars take so much of the chore out of driving that it hardly becomes a chore at all.

Sporting some minor cosmetic changes from the previous model, the current Previa is still quite sleek and sexy and is the kind of van you won’t mind being seen in. Its aerodynamic bullet train looks make it look fast even when it’s standing still. And just like its Japanese mass transport inspiration, it’s packed with tech.

Your first interaction with technology starts with the car’s key fob. You’ll notice that there isn’t a key anymore. That’s because the fob is all you’ll ever need. It constantly emits a unique frequency which only the Previa can pick up. It’s like a car always on the alert for your footsteps.

So how does it work? The moment you come close, the vehicle picks up the key’s signal. Simply touch the handle and the vehicle unlocks itself. Step inside and you can start the car with the press of a button. Adjust the power assisted seats, turn the climate control dial to your desired temperature and tune in to your favorite station with the buttons on the steering wheel. All this is done with the fob still in your pocket.

The best feature of the Previa is its power doors. The front and passenger doors aren’t power assisted, but at least the passengers and the cargo can enjoy this convenience.

Whether opened from inside or from afar with the key fob, it puts a Transformers to shame with its grace. With just a click, the door pops out of the side and then slides slowly open. The tail, on the other hand slowly comes up with a steady beep to remind anyone near the tail to give way. Of course when you’re in a hurry, the doors’ slow and steady pace can take a little too long. Thankfully, there’s an override switch right under the dash.

The seats aren’t spared convenience accommodations either. The first two rows are captain chairs with movable armrests. In this vehicle, however, the best seats in the house are in the second row. Mounted on railings, the seats can move forward backward and sideways. Flick a lever on the corner and a foot rest comes up.

The final row can fold and slide forward to provide more cargo room. All in all, the Previa can’t compete with other vans when it comes to passenger capacity, yet all occupants will likely be traveling in comfort.

Once the vehicle gets rolling, the ride is smooth as silk. Powered by a 2.4 liter VVTi engine, there’s more than enough power to haul. There’s hardly any need to rev the engine as a little touch on the throttle already gets it going.

Going through the gears is nearly seamless as the 4-speed auto transmission changes gears softly. You can also take charge by shifting into manual mode should the occasion call for it.

There’s hardly any need to though as the auto transmission program is fine as it is. It ought to be credited for the car’s reasonable economy, too. It manages an admirable 10.2 km/l on the highway — a figure you’d expect from a 1.6 liter sedan.

The power aides don’t just stop at the doors. Driving at night is one of the best times to truly enjoy the Previa. The high intensity discharge headlights illuminate the road in a bright bluish white. Turn the wheel and you’ll find the headlights turn as well, lighting up the corner.

Even parking at night is made easy with the car’s built-in sonar. Sensors positioned on the car’s corners alert you when you’re about to hit something. They light up dots around a picture of the vehicle beside the shift lever. Once parked in that tight space, flick a switch to the left side of the wheel and the side mirrors will begin to fold. Once all this is done, you’ll be surprised to see just how tight a space you’ve managed to squeeze into.

Put together, all of the Previa’s features sound very appealing. Too much, perhaps for one who simply wants a van that’s easy to drive.

One feature that Toyota did remember to include is the ability to turn them (power doors, sonar) off. All the better for the not-so techno savvy to ease in to the new tools one at a time.

All this tech will come at a price, giving the Previa a high asking price of P2,422,000 — reasonable for a luxury van, but pricey amongst its more spartan competitors. Yet whether you’re a passenger or driver, the Previa is certainly a van you won’t mind being in.