Toyota Alphard

One of the Japanese’s long-awaited models, the new Toyota Alphard, upgraded for the 2024 model year and officially launched in Malaysia.

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

Designated AH40, the fully-imported (CBU - Japan) fourth-generation MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) comes in one variant (Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge).

Priced from MYR 538,000 (on-the-road, w/o insurance), included is a five-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty.

Four exterior colours. Platinum White Pearl, Precious Metal, Black, and Precious Leo-Blond. 

The new Alphard gets a clear, double-tiered and symmetrically-aligned black theme dashboard, exuding luxuriously 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. All the buttons and other accessibilities are purposefully arranged, driver-centric and user-friendly.

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

Interior of the MPV sees a six-seater configuration (2-2-2 layout), luxuriously draped in Nappa leather, with colour options in beige and black. 

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

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

It comes with electronic adjustments (relax power recline), large armrests, ottomans, rotary tables with mirrors, massage, heating and ventilation functions, third-row walk-in-system (button - powered), and two multi-control panels (touchscreen tablets).

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 with automated sunshade, accentuated by a 64-colour ambient lighting system.

Due to its largely designed body, an executive build, 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, providing increased space for the second-row (5 MM) and third-row (100 MM).

It has numerous storage areas including large sized door, seatback and underseat pockets, compartmentalised centre console storage areas and 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.

The boot provides ample loading space, especially with the third-row and second-row seatings folded. 

Included is a powered-tailgate (handsfree), complete with physical buttons on both sides of the tail lamp area.

Weighing in at 2,235 KG, the new Alphard stands at 5,010 MM long, 1,850 MM wide, 1,950 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 3,000 MM.

An overall elegant and upright demeanour, its large exterior parades Toyota’s 'Forceful x IMPACT LUXURY' design language.

Commanding, with smooth lines and edges, the front-end features a massive chromed-out grille with armour-plated-like inserts.

Accentuating the layout are chrome trimmings (surrounds - headlamps, fog lamps), and the Toyota emblem.

Slim and sharp, the head lamps are sporty and are linked with the grille’s frame, creating a one-piece look. Paired is a set of LED fog lamps.

Fitted 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.

Softly angular, the tail lamps are the main focus, complementing the front’s set with 3D-dash-like light graphics. Installed are LED combination units sequential signal lamps.

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

The new Alphard features the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS3) Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Adaptive High-beam Assist (AHS).

Others comprise of Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Parking Support Brake (PKSB), and Panoramic View Monitor (360-degree camera). 

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 with Auto Brake Hold (EPB), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), alarm system with immobiliser, and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR - front, rear dashcam).

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

Also, included is a rear seat (second-row roof placement) entertainment, featuring a 14-Inch screen and two multi-control panels (remote control - tablet).

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

Harbouring in the new Alphard is a 2.4-Litre, in-line four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged and intercooled with Dual VVT-i petrol engine (T24A-FTS), producing 274 HP at 6,000 RPM and 430 NM of torque at 1,700 to 3,600 RPM. 

Fitted is an eight-speed Direct Shift with sequential shiftmatic (manual mode) automatic transmission.

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

Top speed reaches 180 KM/H.

Fuel tank capacity is at 75-Litres, and fuel consumption rates at 9.0 L/100 KM.

The new Alphard comes with smart entry and start system (keyless entry, engine start/stop button, auto Start/Stop system), powered sliding rear doors (Quite Sliding Door), automatic headlamps and wipers, illumination system (ambient lighting, map lights, welcome lights), steering wheel (multi-function, electric column adjustments, paddle shifters), power-adjustable seats (all rows, second-row - relax power recline), second-row captain seats, armrests, ottomans (second-row), third-row walk-in-system (button), second-row tables with mirrors, automatic air-conditioning (front, rear), rear air-conditioning with dedicated controls (second-row - tablet controls), Nanoe X air-filtration system, rear seat entertainment (rear screen, tablet controls), fixed panoramic glass roof with automated sunshade, rear window automated sunshades, wireless charger, digital interior rear-view mirror, powered-tailgate, 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 (rear tablet controls).

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 Alphard is a great build overall. First, it offers an uber amount of space in the cabin thanks to its very massive and stocky build.

Second, its elegant 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 Alphard is surely an MPV for Malaysians to consider.