In a segment that prioritizes comfort and luxury, only a few names stand out. Models like the Hyundai Grand Starex and the Kia Grand Carnival are just some of the most common minivans on the market. But if you’re looking for something that’s a little more upscale, the Toyota Alphard is what you should be checking out.

But before you splash the cash, let’s look at the good and the bad about the Toyota Alphard.

Pros

1. Luxurious interior

The Toyota Alphard will treat both driver and passengers to a suite of luxurious interior amenities. Some of the features include a multi-functional leather steering wheel, a two-way opening center console with wood and metal trims, a 16-hue ceiling roof lamp, leather captain seats with their own respective ottomans, automatic climate control, doors that automatically close, and a 6.7-inch infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.

There’s also a detachable ashtray and an illuminated cigarette lighter for smokers who feel like lighting up during a long ride.

2. Plenty of features

If you think that’s all the Alphard has to offer, then you’re in for a surprise. On top of the luxurious features we just mentioned, the Toyota Alphard has a long list of amenities starting with power doors, windows, and side-view mirrors, a moonroof, six speakers, a slew of bottle holders, a rear-view mirror with rear camera, and rain-sensing wipers.

It also boasts a relatively long list of driver-assist and safety features which include cruise control, electric park brake, eco drive mode, anti-lock brake system (ABS), vehicle stability control (VSC), hill-start assist (HSA), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and the Toyota Safety Sense which features pre-collision system (PCS), automatic high beam (AHB), lane departure alert (LDA), and dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC).

Cons

1. Boxy exterior

The Toyota Alphard offers a strong and boxy exterior. The large dimensions of the minivan act as an adequate backdrop for its luxurious exterior features including the LED projector headlamps with DRL, auto-leveling, and auto high beam feature that flank the wide chrome grille. It also has sequential turn signal LED tail lamps, a rear spoiler, and a rear window defogger.

Despite the abundance of its exterior features, the angular shape and boxy dimensions of the Alphard make it look dated and a little less stylish.

Verdict

It’s true that the Alphard from Toyota may not be everybody’s cup of tea but underneath its traditional exterior is a cabin that offers superior ride comfort. It doesn’t look as cool as an F-117 Nighthawk but it’s definitely as comfy as a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Toyota Alphard is currently priced at P3,925,000 and can be had in two colors: Luxury White Pearl and Black.

In the market for second-hand alternatives? Check out Carmudi Philippines’ selection of used Toyota Alphard.

Photos from Toyota

Also read: 

What we know about the 2022 Toyota Tundra

Cruisin' through colors of the Toyota Land Cruiser

A peek inside the Toyota Prius