The choice of Malaysian businessmen and people who label themselves as very important, the all-new 2023 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire (AH40) is sure to be a common menace presence on our roads when it gets launched here.

Still, UMW Toyota Motor started taking orders for the pair of luxury minivans last month though demand is so high that units allocated for 2023 have been sold out and there is a 1-year waiting period. That’s just half of the waiting period compared to Japan which stretches nearly 2 years!

Estimated price for the Alphard is RM 538,000 while the Vellfire is estimated to be priced at RM 438,000. Both Malaysia-bound breadboxes will be powered by a petrol engine – a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder (278 PS/430 Nm) for the Alphard and a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder (182 PS/235 Nm) for the Vellfire.

Also read: UMWT officially opens order books for 2023 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire in Malaysia, est. pricing at RM 538k and RM 438k

The hybrid powerplants are not offered in Malaysia but over in our northern neighbour, Thailand, both the Alphard and Vellfire are only available with a hybrid.

Also read: JDM sports van? TNGA-K platform 2023 Toyota Vellfire launched in Japan with 279 PS 2.4L turbo

Launched this week, the Thai-spec Alphard and Vellfire are powered by a 2.5-litre A25-FXS hybrid unit that makes a combined 250 PS. This is paired with an e-CVT gearbox that sends power to all 4 wheels via the e-Four 4WD system.

Also read: All-new 2023 Toyota Alphard makes global debut; TNGA, parks remotely via app!

Yes, the Thai-spec ‘Vellphard’ comes with 4-wheel drive as opposed to the usual front-wheel drive (FWD) but this is the only layout offered for the hybrid variants.

In Thailand, the Alphard is available in two variants, the standard Alphard 2.5 HEV which is priced at THB 4,129,000 (~RM 540k) and the Alphard 2.5 HEV Luxury which starts at THB 4,499,000 (~RM 580k).

Meanwhile, the Vellfire is only offered in the Kingdom in one variant, the 2.5 HEV which is priced at THB 4,279,000 (~RM 560k). The lone Vellfire sits between the two Alphard variants in terms of price.

Also read: The Toyota Vellfire was supposed to be killed off, design chief explains why the decision was reversed

Standard across all 3 variants of the luxury MPV in Thailand are twin moonroofs, premium Nappa leather seats, a 12.3-inch driving information display with colour head-up display, a 14-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay as well as a 14-inch overhead screen console for rear passengers.

The regular Alphard is offered with 17-inch alloy wheels while the Vellfire and Alphard Luxury are shod with 19-inch alloy wheels.

Both the regular Alphard and Vellfire are available with a pair of individual 10-way adjustable captain chairs in the middle row with massage and ventilation functions.

The Alphard Luxury variant on the other hand offers Executive Lounge-style seats in the middle row which offers business-class-style comfort as well as Uzuramoku wood trims.

All variants of the Thai-spec Alphard and Vellfire come standard with 6 airbags along with the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite which consists of:

• Pre-Collision System (PCS)
• Blind-spot monitors (BSM)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Lane Departure Assist (LDA)
• Adaptive High Beam (AHB)

The Thai-spec Alphard and Vellfire are also available with the Modellista accessories kit which are priced at THB 149,000 (~RM 19.5k) and THB 169,000 (~RM 22k) respectively.

Also read: Fit for the standout tycoon, Modellista offers 2 bodykits for all-new 2024 Toyota Alphard - which is your pick?

Besides Thailand, the AH40 Alphard and Vellfire were also recently launched in Indonesia in both petrol and hybrid variants. In Malaysia, the twins are likely to be launched in Malaysia by end-2023 or early-2024. Malaysian VIPs, do get ready.

Also read: It wasn't always a luxury van, Akio Toyoda was once told to 'move along' in his Toyota Alphard, and this is the story of how Asia's most loved car came to being