Making its world debut in Japan today is the all-new 2023 Toyota Alphard, the fourth-generation in a long line of models that first appeared in 2002. The latest model brings even more luxury refinement and improved powertrains wrapped in a larger body, but the greater news is in the wider distinction between it and the similarly-new Vellfire.

There's four variants of the AH40 Alphard on sale, and prices range from JPY 5,400,000 (~RM 177k) to JPY 8,720,000 (~RM 286k).

Classic luxury redefined

Par for the course of recent luxury Toyota models, today's Alphard rides on the TNGA-K platform that similarly serves as the chassis for the Toyota Camry, Toyota Crown, and the Lexus ES/NX/RX trio.

More notably, where the Vellfire forges ahead as a 'sports MPV' of sorts, greater emphasis is paid towards refining the Alphard's classic luxury characteristics.

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For instance, there's new straight rockers and a V-shaped brace in the lower-rear part of the vehicle that improves rigidity, and this, alongside the application of high-rigidity adhesives, makes sure the Alphard aces maneuverability and stability.

New TNGA-specific shock absorbers that mechanically adjust damping force as the car is driven, and memory foam in the backrests and armrests, both help to minimise road surface vibrations for occupants - to the tune of 30% reduction in vibrations over previous models.

Mitigation of wind and road noise are paid attention to too, with newly-developed tyres and sound deadening materials coming into play for the Alphard.

The main distinction is the added focus into luxury - the Vellfire, for instance, gets a performance brace that the Alphard misses out on, presumably to keep the ride a little more gentler.

Also read: It's not all Vellfires and Alphards, we try to figure out what all 222 (incumbent) Malaysian MPs drive

Enunciating the whole luxury affect of the Alphard are the interior appointments: full Nappa leather seats for all occupants, exquisite captain seats for the Executive Lounge variant, and large screens all around to handle infotainment and speedometer needs.

Space between the front and second-row seats have been widened by 5 mm, while the distance between second- and the third-row seats have increased by another 10 mm, granting better legroom. These were achieved by making modifications to both the driving position and to the construction of the second-row seats, thinning both the side quarter trim on the third row seats and backdoor trim.

If you think this is willy-nilly cutting of material, it's not: engineers tried thinning the materials at intervals of 0.1 mm!

Other comfort changes include moving all rear air-cond and lighting controls to a 'Super Long Overhead Console', which makes it easier for occupants to open windows/adjust lighting at the opposite side, and the moonroof's right and left shades can be independently operable; if you like seeing the sky while the person next to you wants to block out the sun, that can now be done.

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Then there's also pull-down side sunshades nestled within the doors, as well as universal side steps and longer centre pillar assist grip to make it easier for children and the elderly to enter and exit the vehicle.

Naturally, the Toyota Safety Sense active safety suite is also part of the package, this time complemented by the Toyota Teammate advanced driver assist tech. This includes the "Remote Park" smartphone app to remotely park the MPV, for one.

The new Alphard is powered by a 182 PS / 235 Nm 2AR-FE 2.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, paired to CVT-type automatic transmission. It’s the same engine carried over from the previous generation Alphard / Vellfire (though Malaysia never received the 2.5L Alphard, recond models aside).

There's also an option of the A25A-FXS 2.5-litre 4-cylinder hybrid. This petrol-electric engine makes 250 PS (combined output) and is also available in the Vellfire.

The AGH30 Alphard was previously officially sold in Malaysia for RM 464,000 (but only with a 3.5L V6). Of course, a wider range of reconditioned variants are available too. That said, interested parties may want to keep your eyes peeled for the new-gen Alphard to be here officially - it's a CBU model, so there is less lead time before launching the car here, and as such we'd peg UMW Toyota Motor to introduce the 2023 Toyota Alphard/Vellfire in Malaysia by the end of this year.