Toyota Alphard - All you need to know

The Toyota Alphard is a Japanese MPV that delivers unbelievable luxury that the European SUVs would never be able to do. The vehicle is crafted to offer luxury for the consumers who prefer comfort over a few hundred thousand Malaysian Ringgits. Alphard is a perfect combination of luxury, space, and practicality. While the car in this segment has multiple benefits, not many car makers have shown interest in the segment. This has ensured that Toyota can capture the maximum market share with the likes of Alphard and Vellfire. The current generation of Alphard has been made keeping in mind the needs of Malaysian users.

Exterior Design

The Toyota Alphard is a beast that will ensure its presence is felt on the road. The massive chrome grille on the front with automatic LED headlamps and sequential turn signal gives it a macho design. On the rear, aesthetically designed LED lights and chrome in the centre give it a distinct look. The sliding door makes entering and exiting the vehicle seamless, while the power back door ensures operating the tailgate is equally comfortable.

Luxurious Interiors

The interior is what sets Alphard apart from an SUV or perhaps, any car available on the market. The interior of this MPV resembles first class compartment of an airplane. The seats are crafted with premium material and come with a lot of features as well as customisation. There are adjustable ottoman seats along with cooling functions which can be controlled by every passenger for their own seat. There is also an adjustable table within the armrest for working on the go.

The interiors are designed with woodgrain trim are complemented by black piano wood inserts. There is an LED ceiling illumination with 16 colour options and variable brightness. The Alphard also gets dual powered sunroof ensuring that a slip-down screen provides visual entertainment. The design of the dashboard is in line with the rest of the interiors. The touchscreen audio system with 17 JBL speakers takes care of the entertainment.

The interior space as expected is more than sufficient. There is enough legroom for the second seat passengers to make them feel that they are travelling in a business class on a flight. The third-row passengers also get three-point seatbelts. If there are only two people on the third seat, the centre section can be folded to convert it into the armrest. If fewer people are travelling, the third row can be folded to make space for additional luggage.

Toyota provides three interior colour options which are Beige Interior with Metal Brown Wood Trim, Black Interior with Brown Olive Ash Burl Wood Trim, and Beige Interior with Brown Olive Ash Burl Wood Trim.

Engine

The Toyota Alphard is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine which is capable of delivering 267 hp and 360 Nm of torque. There is an 8-speed automatic with sequential shifter transmission resulting in efficiency and smooth acceleration. The automatic Start-Stop System delivers a seamless operation cycle resulting in increased fuel economy. The engine is powerful, and torque will kick in early taking the vehicle to decent speeds quickly. The engine akin to any other aspect of this vehicle will not let you down.

Safety

The massive size of the vehicle requires some decent safety features to ensure a safe ride. Toyota Alphard comes with 7 SRS Airbags which are located at the front, side, and near driver’s knee to minimize the risk of injury in case of a collision. There is also a blind spot monitor that alerts the driver of any vehicle in the blind spot. The rear cross traffic alert is a useful feature that allows you to reverse your vehicle seamlessly. Toyota has also provided a brake hold feature which will keep the car stationary in heavy traffic conditions. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) provide additional safety on every terrain.

The Toyota Alphard is an epitome of cabin luxury that none of the European counterparts can match. The luxury factor may be hard to miss for anyone who is willing to spend the premium amount. The Toyota Alphard 3.5 is priced at RM 405,625.64, whereas the Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge can be bought for RM 405,625.64.