What is the alphard?
3 Answers
alphard is a mid-to-large size MPV under Toyota, here are the extended details: 1. The origin of alphard: The name of this car is derived from the Greek letter "α". In modern European culture, the letter α symbolizes "leader, outstanding individual", reflecting Toyota's aspiration for this vehicle to become the choice of leaders or distinguished individuals. The alphard was developed by Toyota as a luxury MPV to compete with Nissan's Elgrand, utilizing an improved chassis based on the Previa. The first-generation Alphard was introduced in 2002, featuring 2.4L and 3.0L engine options, both available with four-wheel drive systems. 2. Advantages of alphard: Its exterior design is stylish yet not overly conservative. The 3.5L powertrain is refined, delivering ample and smooth power. The engine's quietness rivals that of the Crown, and its cornering stability is among the best in large MPVs, with a reinforced chassis suspension compared to the Previa. The driving solidity surpasses the Previa by a level, showcasing excellent road isolation and ride comfort. The interior is luxurious, setting a top-tier ambiance among MPVs, with first-class seat comfort—especially the Ottoman seats that can transform into a bed.
I drive an Alphard, and it's perfect for shuttling my family around. What impresses me most about this car is its spacious interior—the two independent rear seats can recline flat into a bed, and my wife and kids never feel cramped in the back. Last year, we took a 2,000-kilometer road trip, and both the elderly and children praised how comfortable the ride was, with excellent sound insulation allowing quiet conversations even on the highway. The cabin uses a lot of soft-touch materials, giving it a premium feel, and the large infotainment screen is user-friendly. It’s powered by Toyota’s classic hybrid system, which is fuel-efficient and smooth—a full tank easily covers 800 kilometers. The only downside is its width, requiring extra caution when parking in older neighborhoods. Oh, and many people confuse the Alphard with the Vellfire—they’re actually sibling models on the same platform, but the Alphard leans more toward luxury in terms of features.
As a die-hard fan of Japanese MPVs, I've been researching the Alphard for about seven or eight years. Since its first generation debuted in 2002 targeting the premium market, the current third generation now adopts the TNGA platform with significantly improved body rigidity. It offers two powertrain options: a 2.5L hybrid and a 3.5L V6. Having test-driven the hybrid version, I found its electric motor provides exceptionally brisk acceleration from standstill. The interior features semi-aniline leather seats, 16-color ambient lighting, and rear-seat entertainment systems, making it far more luxurious than the GL8. With a length approaching 5 meters, its turning radius is surprisingly compact, making urban driving less cumbersome. Known as Alphard in Japan, it's transliterated as 'Elfa' in China and is famously favored by Hong Kong celebrities as their family shuttle. Currently, the top parallel-imported trim costs about 1.2 million RMB – pricey indeed, but it boasts exceptionally high resale value in the used car market.
