Fourth-Gen Toyota Alphard And Vellfire Now Available With PHEV Power

Toyota have just revealed new PHEV-powered variants of its signature Alphard (left) and Vellfire (right) luxury MPV twins.

Though it debuted just a little over a year ago, the fourth-generation Toyota Alphard and Vellfire luxury MPV range has grown slightly larger today following the revelation of new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants of each.

According to Toyota, both the new Alphard and Vellfire PHEV sees their electrified powerplants deliver up to 73 KM of all-electric driving. Notable here too is how starkly different this PHEV setup is versus the existing series parallel hybrid (HEV) variants.

Underneath, both models have adopted a new PHEV powertrain featuring a large 51 Ah battery pack that even accepts up to 50 kW DC charging inputs, as well as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) abilities, amongst other things.

Firstly, this PHEV package employs a lower-powered iteration of the familiar naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol mill – rated at 174 HP and 219 NM. Secondly, whilst the HEV variants employs a compact 5 Ah battery, this PHEV option ups the ante with a significantly larger 51 Ah pack instead.

Said pack is made using lithium-ion and is mounted under the vehicle’s centre floor. Critically, this pack accepts both regular AC and rapid DC charging inputs, the latter as high as 50 kW to enable re-charges up to 80% attained in just 38 minutes.

Moreover, this new PHEV system also boasts an external power supply delivering up to 1.5 kW (AC 100V), as well as a Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) system, the latter providing up to 5.5 days of power with each full tank and full charge.

the PHEV powertrain sees both a familiar naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol mill being paired with dual e-motors outputting a combined 302 HP and boasting Toyota's E-Four AWD system.

Predictably, this PHEV setup also delivers more pep versus its HEV twin, with Toyota touting combined system output of 302 HP. Part of this stems from both the front- and rear-mounted e-motors primed, altogether enabling Toyota’s E-Four all-wheel-drive (AWD) system too.

Surprising here too besides the added pep and versatility is the PHEV powertrain’s claims at being more economical than the HEV. This is evidenced the WLTC-rated fuel economy average claims of 16.7 KM/litre (6.0 litres/100 KM) – 1 KM/Litre better than the HEV.

Adoption of PHEV power also sees plenty of improvements towards passenger comforts. Key amongst which include minimal noise and vibration when driven in EV mode, an air conditioning system capable of operating without needing to start the engine, as well as a new Smooth Stop control system that mitigates sudden nosedives during deceleration. 

Both the new Alphard and Vellfire PHEV are available exclusively in six-seat Executive Lounge trimlines only, thus making them the priciest in their respective ranges too.

Take note that both the new PHEV-powered Alphard and Vellfire variants will only be available in six-seat Executive Lounge trimlines, making them the priciest in their respective lots too at JPY10.65 million (approx. RM305,880) for the Alphard and JPY10.85 million (approx. RM311,580) for the Vellfire.

For context, these PHEV-powered range-toppers are the only ones in their respective ranges to break the JPY10 million (approx. RM287,132) mark – all other variants below which are priced below said threshold.

Apart from the PHEV powertrain-specific comfort tech noted earlier, both the Alphard and Vellfire PHEV see their kit lists include variant-specific exclusive bits. These include 19-inch aluminium rolling stock with silver sputtering paint finish, woodgrain steering, as well as Ultrasuede cabin headliner.