Toyota Alphard

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Overview

Toyota Motor Corp. realised the demand for the luxury MPVs outside of Japan made a really strong business sense, as such, both new generations of Toyota Alphard and Vellfire were introduced globally from 2016. UMW Toyota immediately offered the third-generation Toyota Alphard (GGH30) alongside the new Toyota Vellfire.

At the price of RM446,609, there are no competitors to steal market share from the Toyota Alphard. Its sister model, the Toyota Vellfire 2.5 can be considered its closest rival. Nissan did offer the Elgrand 3.5 for a brief moment and has long been unavailable in their showrooms.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Exterior

The Toyota Vellfire and Toyota Alphard are the same vehicles, with key exterior differences separating the product attributes. For Malaysia, the powertrain defines the product attribute too, with the more prestigious Alphard fitted with the more powerful V6 engine.

The exterior emphasis on the Alphard is luxury, with the large front grille featuring thick mesh ornamentation and is integrated with the lower grille to create an impressive front view that conveys the vehicle's unique boldness and individualistic luxury.
The 3D tail lamps meanwhile are in bright red with a signature L-shaped lighting, connected by a large garnish in bright chrome. The design is very different from the sister Toyota Vellfire with smoked lens and dark chrome.

Daytime running lights are standard with both front and rear signal lights having sequential lighting features.

All these are under the design concept of "Dynamic & Formal" to give the MPV a luxurious impression and commanding presence. The Toyota Alphard also comes with the option of an exclusive colour called Luxury White Pearl Crystal Shine(Glass Flake).

There are also two sunroofs fitted on the Toyota Alphard. Both the sliding doors are powered, together with the tailgate. Dual-tone wheels measuring 18-inches are wrapped with 235/50R18-sized tyres.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Interior

Flaxen beige leather covers the seats of the Toyota Alphard 3.5, with metal brown wood trim placed at strategic areas such as the centre console, door panels and lining the storage boxes. It is the polar opposite compared to the Vellfire 2.5 which is available only in black interior paired with dark grey wood trim.

The different interior colour is also the only feature separating the interior of the Alphard and Vellfire models.

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 is a seven-seat luxury MPV with the second row featuring two individual captain seats with power adjustments and Ottoman support, while the third row is a 50:50 split-folding seat with sliding and store-away function.

A unique feature in the Toyota Alphard is the fully digital rearview display mirror. Instead of a traditional mirror, a camera mounted on the rear windscreen displays a live video feed of the rear of the vehicle. This feature is useful as occupants in the back seats can block the driver’s rearward visibility. The camera-based system also provides a much better field of vision plus better visibility in the dark or rainy weather.

The front passenger of the Toyota Alphard is also treated to higher comfort levels than many premium SUVs and sedans at the RM450,000 price point. The passenger’s seat has heating or cooling function as well as an Ottoman feature, in which the seat can recline and support the legs.

The third row is however similar to many smaller MPVs such as the Innova, in which the seat is split 50:50 and folds to the side. There is quite a large gap when both seats are being used/folded down, with both the hinges exposed to the lower back of the occupant. It doesn't feel comfortable for anything over 20 minutes of travelling, as it is essentially just a makeshift space for an occupant complete with a three-point seat belt and headrest.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Features

Ambient lighting, up to 16 colours, is fitted to the ceiling to provide a more sophisticated and understated-luxurious interior. Rear occupants in the Toyota Alphard 3.5 also have a full-featured automatic air-conditioning with Nano-e air purifier, with the air vents and reading lamps neatly placed next to the ceiling illumination.

A ceiling-mounted entertainment display measuring 10.2 inches allows passengers to watch videos. The individual captain seats on the second row of the Toyota Alphard 3.5 have power adjustments as well as ottoman features. The headrest also supports the head and neck a lot better than regular seats thanks to the extended padding.

To further aid with privacy, manual sunshades are built into the sliding doors as well as the windows for the occupants in the third row. Unfortunately, USB charging ports are not fitted to the seats, instead, at one of the three accessory ports at the bottom of the centre console up front. A wireless smartphone charger is hidden under the front armrest.

Toyota Alphard 3.5-Safety

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 has been updated with the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) advanced driver assistance systems during the update timing in early 2020. This includes dynamic radar cruise control at all speeds (the system can slow down and stop as it approaches a stoplight following the vehicle in front), lane tracing assist with steering assist and pre-collision system.

There are seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag in the Toyota Alphard 3.5. Included in the TSS suite is the parking support brake, where the safety system will automatically apply full braking force, forward or reverse, if a collision is likely to happen during the parking process.

Speaking of parking, visual assistance is aided by the panoramic view monitor (PVM) where a bird’s eye view of the vehicle is projected onto the infotainment display.

Infotainment

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 comes with a UMW Toyota fitted 9-inch touchscreen (capacitive) infotainment system. A plus point is that the system has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. However, the screen is not sufficiently sized, as there is a thick bezel between the display and the surround of the centre console. It certainly does not portray a luxurious image to match its hefty RM450,000 price tag.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Powertrain

Toyota Alphard 3.5 Engine

As per the model name, the Toyota Alphard 3.5 is equipped with a naturally aspirated V6 engine displacing 3.5 litres. The new 2GR-FKS engine, introduced during the 2018 model improvement timing, delivers high outputs of 300 PS at 6,600 rpm and 361 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. Compared to the model launched in 2016, these are an increase of 29 PS and 21 Nm, all thanks to better valve timing duration (VVTi-W) and Toyota’s dual fuel delivery system via direct and port injections called D-4S.

Toyota Alphard Transmission

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 not only gets an improved engine performance in this facelift model from 2018, but also a revamped transmission unit. It now features eight forward ratios, two extra compared to the outgoing model.
The eight-speed transmission contributes to optimum fuel economy. Low gear ratio improves acceleration performance while higher ratios deliver lower engine speeds for highway driving, contributing to enhanced quietness and ride comfort.

Toyota Alphard Chassis

Toyota had spent more research and development on the second-generation Toyota Alphard, among the key highlights is the introduction of a new multi-link double-wishbone rear suspension. Thicker high-tensile strength steel plates are used together with structural adhesive to increase body rigidity and achieve a luxurious, comfortable ride with stable handling.

The tyres measure 235/50R18 in size and are Toyo Tranpath R30 type. Manoeuvring into parking lots and multi storey car park ramps is made a little easier thanks to a competitive turning radius of 5.8 metres.

Toyota Alphard Drivetrain

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Driving Performance

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 with 300 PS and 361 Nm of torque can complete the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds. The top speed is reported to be 180 km/h. A large 75-litre fuel tank allows for quite a substantial driving range.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Ride Comfort

Plenty of vibration control and soundproofing materials, as well as effective placement of sandwich steel plates and an aerodynamic wind-noise reducing vehicle body shape are applied to the Toyota Alphard 3.5. This results in a quiet ride at all speeds, as befits a luxury vehicle.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Fuel Economy

The fuel consumption is rated at 9.3 litres per 100 km (10.8 km/L). The Toyota Alphard 3.5 is one of the few Toyota vehicles sold in Malaysia that is equipped with an Idling Start-Stop system.

Toyota Alphard 3.5 – Conclusion

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 offers tremendous comfort for the driver, the front passenger together with the two passengers in the captain seats at the second row.

Quieter, less body roll is evident with the new multi-link double-wishbone rear suspension.

The Toyota Alphard 3.5 remains to be the flagship of the Toyota range in Malaysia, offering plenty of safety, performance and comfort technologies. While the Vellfire 2.5 is close to RM80,000 lower in price and offers the same interior, discerning customers and owners who are used to high torque levels will immediately see the benefits of propulsion from a high-displacement engine.