Toyota Alphard

Why buy an Alphard?



If you want luxury motoring for your family and chattels in a superbly well-built vehicle, you’ve found it.Hugely flexible and comfortable seating arrangements for up to 8 people.Powerful, smooth and quiet, with the option of four wheel drive.Can be converted into a campervan.Also works quite well as a driveable office!

Background to this Toyota Alphard Review

The Alphard is Toyota’s luxury 8 seater minivan / MPV / people carrier.  This Toyota Alphard review is going to focus on the first generation car, produced between 2002 and 2008.  Why?  The first generation cars are currently the most frequently imported, due to the UK rules about cars over 10 years old only requring an MOT prior to registration.  You can read more about this here.

The Alphard is still in production today and is now in its 3rd generation.

Engine and Drivetrain Choice



Home » Japanese import car blog » Japanese Car Reviews » Toyota Alphard Review

Toyota Alphard Review 14

7 Mar, 2016  in Japanese Car Reviews / MPV  tagged Alphard / review / Toyota by Andrew

Why buy an Alphard?



If you want luxury motoring for your family and chattels in a superbly well-built vehicle, you’ve found it.Hugely flexible and comfortable seating arrangements for up to 8 people.Powerful, smooth and quiet, with the option of four wheel drive.Can be converted into a campervan.Also works quite well as a driveable office!

Background to this Toyota Alphard Review

The Alphard is Toyota’s luxury 8 seater minivan / MPV / people carrier.  This Toyota Alphard review is going to focus on the first generation car, produced between 2002 and 2008.  Why?  The first generation cars are currently the most frequently imported, due to the UK rules about cars over 10 years old only requring an MOT prior to registration.  You can read more about this here.

The Alphard is still in production today and is now in its 3rd generation.

Engine and Drivetrain Choice

The Alphard has 2 engine choices, both petrol: a 4 cylinder 2.4 litre or a V6 3 litre.  The 3 litre V6 1MZ-FE also features on the Lexus RX300 and Toyota Camry, amongst others.  The 2.4 2AZ-FE has previously been seen in the UK in the Previa and RAV4.  All Alphards have automatic transmission and both engine options are available with 2 or 4 wheel drive.

“Should I buy the 2.4 or 3 litre?”

I see this being asked frequently.

My answer will always be the 3 litre.  The V6 has a very satisfying, purposeful burble that feels completely in keeping with the grandeur of the whole car, and that isn’t matched by the 4 cylinder engine.  It has plenty of power but doesn’t shout about it.  The choice really depends on what you’re used to driving, and how much emphasis you place on running costs, but I think the 2.4 Alphard is underpowered.

Want a more numbers-based answer?  Look at the power to weight ratios:

The 2.4 litre 4WD has 85 bhp/tonne (and 144 lb.ft torque).The 3.0 litre 4WD has 113 bhp/tonne (and 230 lb.ft torque).

In its favour, the 2.4 litre has cheaper maintenance costs.  Only 4 spark plugs to buy instead of 6, and no timing belt to replace.  Finally, the 2.4 is intended to run on standard unleaded, whereas the 3.0 is intended to run on super/premium higher octane fuel.

Interior accommodation

There is so much flexibility in the Alphard’s seating arrangements: bed, cafe, table, straight forward 3 rows and a boot space big enough for a chest freezer are all possible.  The middle row of seats has 2 ISOFIX points and can rotate to face the rear of the car.  This video explains the options:

Equipment

There are a lot of variations in equipment levels, but in most cases ‘loads’ would be a good summary.

Driver aids

HID headlights (dipped beam) and driving lights.Lane assist.Cruise control (only on some models).Reversing camera and/or parking sensors.Front blind spot cameras.TEMS (Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension, only on some models).

Comfort

Space to seat 8 adults in comfort.Power sliding rear doors.Dual zone climate control, with separate controls for the rear seat passengers.Power curtains (some models only).Adjustable arm rests.Dimmable ‘room’ lighting.Front and rear AV screens with headphone sockets.

Safety

Driver and passenger airbags (plus side/curtain airbags on some models).2 x ISOFIX points (on the outer middle row seats).ABS.The rear seat passengers aren’t sat right up against the boot lid – much safer should something crash into the back of the car.

Driving the Alphard

There is a real sense of occasion in driving the Alphard.  I think the burbling V6 engine adds to this.

Once you’re behind the wheel, the Alphard doesn’t feel as big as it looks from the outside.  The 3 litre V6 engine has plenty of power and is quiet, smooth and feels effortless.  It can pick up speed surprisingly quickly and without any fuss when required.

Unsurprisingly for a 4WD car weighing 2 tonnes, there are disc brakes all round.  They pull the car up well, but there is almost no pedal feel under braking.  I think this is fairly typical for this type of vehicle.

Cornering performance is OK for the size, weight and intended purpose of the car.  There is some body roll and it doesn’t like being asked to change direction quickly.  Setting the TEMS to sport helps matters a little.  I think expecting amazing cornering performance from a car like this is missing the point of the car really!

Why you might not like the Toyota Alphard

Reason #1: fuel consumption

Despite fuel prices being (relatively) low in the UK of late, most people are concerned about fuel consumption on a car like the Alphard.  If you budget for about 25 mpg, you should be in the right ball park.  Some will get less and some more.  It isn’t necessarily the case that the 2.4 litre engine will give better fuel consumption.  Unless you’re really light with your right foot, this engine will need to be worked much harder to get the car moving, resulting in more fuel being used.

Reason #2: looks

I’ve seen a variety of less than complimentary words used: the Alphard ain’t that pretty when viewed from the front.  Viewed from the side, back or any 45 degree angle its just fine, but the front view isn’t so great in my opinion.  This is something I could easily overlook as the overall ‘package’ is so impressive, but you might not be so forgiving.  I certainly concede the Alphard’s main competitor, the Nissan Elgrand, is a better looking vehicle.

Reason #3: driving dynamics

Definitely built for wafting along rather than pressing on, so if you’re looking for sporty handling, particularly in corners, look elsewhere.  Remember it is a 2 tonne van with 2 sofas, 2 armchairs, 2 TVs and a carpet better than you’ll find in most rented accommodation.

Summary

I hope this Toyota Alphard review has been an interesting / useful read.  I’m certainly a fan of the car and I’d love to know what you think of it.

If the Alphard is a bit too much for you but you want a similar type of vehicle, have a look at a Toyota Noah.

Toyota Avanza

ed to the rise of AUVs or Asian Utility Vehicles, since a 5-seater car can no longer suffice. Even with the phasing out of AUVs in the early 2000’s, the clamor for an affordable family carrier continued and manufacturers have gone through varied routes trying to serve an ever fickle market. The one that has always led the charge is Toyota and their Avanza. Now on its second-generation, it’s become the default choice for those who want seven seats but can’t afford an Innova. But with an increasing number of choices in the small MPV segment, can the big minor change Avanza continue to lead?

While they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there’s no contest when it comes to the Avanza’s looks. Picking up where the first-generation model left off, the two-box shape is pleasant and well-proportioned. It’s taller than it’s wider, but it hides that very well. The softened contours are now complimented by a 2015 update that introduces a larger maw, new alloy rims, and new tail lights. It successfully modernizes the small MPV flavor without deviating from the formula too much. There’s only one complaint: Toyota should remove the throwback pillar-mounted antenna to something much more modern—a fin-type antenna, perhaps?







Like its body shell, the Avanza’s interior is pretty much straight-forward. Those familiar with a Toyota cabin, particularly the Wigo, would feel welcome because of the parts bin switches, steering wheel, button positioning, and ergonomics. Compared to Toyota’s other Daihatsu-derived vehicle, it feels considerably more solid although there are inconsistent panel gaps and every surface is rock hard. The newest update adds a touch of luxury to an otherwise austere cabin with features such as dark brown fabric seats, piano black and aluminum accents, a touchscreen audio system,and steering wheel controls all present. The seating position isn’t as car-like as photos suggest because it’s high and upright, but it’s quite comfortable despite the flat seat backs. The one unforgiveable thing here is the mirror-image gated shifter which reduces usability and increases confusion (you can actually select the wrong gear at times).

Depending on the quantity of people you need to fit at any given time determines whether or not you’ll consider the Avanza spacious. If five’s the norm and seven the exception, the Avanza’s quite good. The first two rows offer ample comfort even during long rush hour traffic. The second row actually slides forward to accommodate the knees of those in the third row, but even then it’s best left as set of emergency jump seats. That said, at least everyone gets their own headrests—even the often forgotten second row middle seat. ISOFIX anchors are also standard now. The third row folds up in a 50/50 split when not in use revealing a vast loading bay. Securing it requires you to hook them up to the second row’s headrest; this feels very archaic, but the added cargo flexibility it offers is welcome.










With the Avanza looking every inch the people carrier, it’s expected to handle like one. Taking a page from the larger Innova, the Avanza uses a “proper” MPV architecture: body-on-frame structure driving the rear wheels. Engineered to ferry seven people in such a compact footprint, it rides quite stiffly in all but the smoothest of surfaces. With one or two passengers onboard, it’ll crash its way through concrete joints and potholes. It’s only when it’s loaded with four or more people that the ride smoothens out. Despite the tallboy proportions, it feels secure and planted to drive even at speed, although understeer is the norm. The steering is light and requires more turns than usual, but the good visibility means it’s easy to dart this straight out of the box. The brakes though are quite touchy.

Sporting a longitudinally-mounted 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Avanza can dream of “sports car-like performance”. In truth though, it’s merely adequate. Having to push 1,100 kilograms, this 102-horsepower, 136 Nm of torque engine shouldn’t feel taxed, but overtaking must be planned with care. From a standstill, there’s good pep and dealing with city traffic is a cinch. As the revs build up though, it starts to lose steam quickly. That initial sense of urgency is replaced by the booming noise from the motor. It also doesn’t help that the gearbox takes a split-second to downshift after flooring the throttle. It feels like you’re hearing the engine first before you feel the power kicking in; as if it takes that long for power to go from the engine to the gearbox to the propeller shaft to the rear wheels. Thankfully, despite having to floor the accelerator to get decent pace in, fuel economy isn’t affected as much: 8.67 km/L.










Going back to the question posted in the beginning: can the big minor change Avanza keep its lead in the small MPV category? That depends. It’s the Avanza that started the trend of giving Filipinos a well-built family carrier with more features than letters in their name. However, with more and more car-based choices coming in, all promising better handling and a cheaper price, Toyota is finding itself in a pinch. If you want a solid and robust 7-seater that won’t complain on rough roads or when full-loaded, the Avanza’s still the best choice. But as far as comfort goes, it’s starting to feel its age and the other choices seem to trump it in terms of value. All in all, despite the new trimmings, it doesn’t hide the fact that this remains a workhorse of an MPV. Whether or not that’s acceptable, depends entirely up to you.