Toyota Alphard

The entire cabin of the Toyota Alphard has been shared with that of the lower positioned Vellfire, with a slightly uplifted center console and a brilliant and airy combination of black with beige. However, in the Alphard, Toyota has used a generous amount of faux wood and brushed silver to make it feel even more premium.

While the four-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, as well as comprehensive looking instrument console with analog dials, looks a bit old school, the centre console compensates it with its modern panels for the touchscreen infotainment system as well as three-zone automatic climate control.

The three-row Toyota Alphard gets Ottoman captain seats in the middle row, which offer great levels of flexibility and inclination. The cabin is generously equipped with top-class features like sunroof, powered front seats with memory function, leather upholstery, push-button start with keyless entry, electric parking brake, and more.

Positioned above the Vellfire in Toyota’s lineup, the Toyota Alphard is a more premium version of the former, with a heavily updated front end and subtle revisions to its side and rear profiles. While it manages to command a gargantuan road presence with its dimensions and luxurious appeal, the quirky and boxy styling is not to everyone’s taste.

The front profile of the Toyota Alphard has a stubby bonnet which is complemented with a humongous front grille laid out in a vertical manner. The grille is compiled of multiple quadrilateral fragments, with its characteristic logo sitting in the middle, and gets a sleek chrome finish on its upper portion.

The grille is flanked with angular headlamps which are fairly large and get full LED lighting treatment with daytime running LEDs as well. The grille extends all the way down to the bottom of the front bumper, the sides of which get pronounced triangular fog lamp housings.

The side profile of the Toyota Alphard is completely the same as that of the Vellfire, with the unique B-pillar design and slanted middle window panel. The machined alloy wheels, however, get a different looking design. Also, the door-mounted rearview mirrors, as well as chrome finish on the window waistline and door handles, do follow its overall opulent appeal.

At the back, the Toyota Alphard shares its boot lid design and vertically laid rear windscreen with the Vellfire, however, it does get its own set of swerved looking LED tail lamps.

The Toyota Alphard is currently a benchmark among MPVs when it comes to rear-seat experience, as its suspension setup of Macpherson struts at the front and double wishbone at the rear are tuned for a supple ride quality on the go. However, the overall handling does take a hit due to its high center of gravity caused by its boxy design.

Under the hood of the Toyota Alphard sits a sizeable 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is combined to a CVT gearbox offering a smooth and poised driving experience. The engine delivers a maximum power output of 179 PS, while the peak torque output is rated at 235 Nm.

The Toyota Alphard is bestowed with a decent amount of safety features as well, with the list including front, side, curtain, and knee airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist, front and rear parking sensors and reverse camera. However, slightly more modern safety features would have been welcomed for sure.

The Toyota Alphard has set a benchmark among MPVs for its premium aura in and out, supremely comfortable seats and ride quality and a plethora of features for an MPV. While the overall styling might take some time to win over your hearts, it performs all the tasks of an MPV pretty well.