Toyota Vellfire

One of the Japanese’s highly sought-after models, the new Toyota Vellfire, upgraded for the 2024 model year and officially launched in Malaysia.

Akin to its counterpart, the Toyota Alphard, reinforced is the GA-K type of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform.

Designated AGH40, the fully-imported (CBU - Japan) fourth-generation MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) comes in one variant (Vellfire 2.5).

Priced from MYR 438,000 (on-the-road, w/o insurance), included is a five-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty.

Exterior colours. Black, Precious Metal, and Platinum White Pearl.

The new Vellfire gets a neat, double-tiered and symmetrically-aligned black theme dashboard, projecting premium craftsmanship.

It is draped in soft-touch panels detailed with brown wood veneers, and commanding the layout is the top-centre-mounted screen setup.

Overall, the cockpit is well designed, with buttons and other accessibilities purposefully arranged, driver-centric and user-friendly.

Installed is a 12.3-Inch Colour TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) setup.

Interior of the MPV sees a six-seater configuration (2-2-2 layout), luxuriously draped in all-black synthetic leather.

The first row is fitted with electronically-powered seats (driver - eight-way with memory, passenger - four-way), armrests, and heating and ventilation functions.

Second row incorporates the Executive Power Seat, featuring two single-seaters (captain chairs/barcalounger).

It comes with electronic adjustments, armrests, ottomans, a rotary table (middle - joint), and heating and ventilation functions. 

As for the third-row, it gets a two-seater bench with a 50:50 split-fold configuration, and individual armrests. 

Complementing the layout is a fixed panoramic glass roof (separated - individual sections) with automated sunshade, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system. 

Due to its largely designed body, it offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms, thus front, middle and rear occupants get ample space.

This is courtesy of the extended length (+75 MM), compared to the previous generation model (4,930 MM).

It has numerous storage areas including large sized door, seatback and under seat pockets, compartmentalised centre console storage areas and a cavern space, and a decent-sized glove box.

Multiple cup holders and bottle holders are strategically placed around the cabin.

Seven USB ports with three located up front, and two in the second- and third-rows. Also, included up front is a wireless charger.

Weighing in at 2,105 KG, the new Vellfire stands at 5,005 MM long, 1,850 MM wide, 1,950 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 3,000 MM.

Sportily luxurious, its large exterior exudes Toyota’s 'Forceful x IMPACT LUXURY' design language.

Symmetrical with straight edges, the front-end features a massive chromed-out grille with thick horizontal slats.

Heightening the layout are chrome trimmings (front lip, rear lip, side windows, tail lamps, spoiler), and the Toyota emblem.

Clean and smooth, its rear-end with cascading edges emphasises the whole luxury appeal, as well as its stocky scale.

Featured is a roof-edge spoiler, paired to a gloss black body panel adorned with the ‘Vellfire script, stretching across the tailgate.

Amplifying the layout are chrome trimmings (front lip, rear lip, side windows, tail lamps, spoiler), and the Toyota emblem.

Rectangularly-slim, the head lamps are aligned and linked with the grille’s upper slat, creating a one-piece look. Paired is a set of LED fog lamps.

Installed are Tri-LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), cornering and sequential signal lamps, automatic On/Off, Adaptive High-beam System (AHS), and welcome lights.

Elegantly-framed, the tail lamps are connected by a thin light bar and feature double-U light graphics. 

Installed are LED combination units with sequential signal lamps. Also, included is a set of LED fog lamps.

The side mirrors are electronically configurable (fold, adjust) with signal lamps, memory and heater functions, and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) indicators.

Sporty, it glides on a set of 19-Inch multi-spoke dual-tone light alloy rims, rubbered-up in 225/55 R19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 tyres.

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver, passenger, sides, curtain), seat belts (reminders, pretensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (four - front, rear), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), alarm system with immobiliser, and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR - front, rear dash cam).

Installed is a 14-Inch centre-mounted touchscreen, supporting online navigation/music/weather, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Equipped is a 15-speaker setup of the JBL sound system.

Harbouring in the new Vellfire is a 2.5-Litre, in-line four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC, chain drive with Dual VVT-i petrol engine (2AR-FE), producing 180 HP at 6,000 RPM and 235 NM of torque at 4,100 RPM. 

Fitted is a seven-speed Super CVT-i with sports sequential shiftmatic (manual mode) automatic transmission.

All power is transmitted to the front, via a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system.

Top speed reaches 170 KM/H.

Fuel tank capacity is at 75-Litres, and fuel consumption rates at 9.1 L/100 KM.

The new Vellfire comes with smart entry and start system (keyless entry, engine start/stop button), powered sliding rear doors (soft-close), automatic headlamps and wipers, illumination system (ambient lighting, map lights, welcome lights), steering wheel (multi-function, electric column adjustments), power-adjustable seats, second-row captain seats (electronic adjustments), armrests, ottomans (second-row), second-row table (middle - joint), automatic air-conditioning (front, rear), rear air-conditioning, Nanoe X air-filtration system, fixed panoramic glass roof with automated sunshade, rear window automated sunshades, wireless charger, digital interior rear-view mirror, powered-tailgate (contactless), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, parking sensors (four - front, rear), and a 360-degree camera.

There are rear air-conditioning vents with individual controls, located in the second- and third-row seats.

Underpinned is the GA-K version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform. 50% improved rigidity compared to past iterations.

Suspension-wise, installed setups are Macpherson Strut with stabiliser (front) and double wishbone with stabiliser (rear).

Improving drivability and stability levels, structural adhesives are used, limiting body deformation.

Overall, the ride quality is firm, and the interior is luxuriously spacious and extremely comfortable. 

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin experience is very refined and peaceful, alienated from most of the road noises.

Incorporated is the application of rubber bushings at attachment points of the cushion frames, and memory foam in the seats (backrest, armrests). These elements provide for about 30% reduction in vibration.

The new Toyota Vellfire is a luxuriously sporty build overall. First, it offers great space in the cabin thanks to its very massive and stocky build.

Second, its solid shell envelopes a premium interior, which range from a myriad of advanced connectivity, safety systems and creature comfort features.

Ultimately, its quality is luxurious, bargaining good looks and mechanics. The 2024 Toyota Vellfire is surely an MPV for Malaysians to consider.