Why does the Alphard have two different emblems?
2 Answers
The reason the Alphard has two different emblems is: As an imported model, some imported Toyota vehicles use one emblem at the front while displaying the Toyota logo at the rear. Taking the 2020 Luxury Edition Alphard as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4975mm, width 1850mm, height 1945mm, with a wheelbase of 3000mm, fuel tank capacity of 58 liters, and curb weight of 2270kg. The 2020 Luxury Edition Alphard features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a double-wishbone independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a total power output of 155kW and total torque of 409Nm, paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission.
I've been driving the Alphard for several years and noticed that the emblem differences mainly relate to the sales market. In Japan, the Alphard typically comes with the Toyota logo, but for versions exported to China or Hong Kong, it's changed to the exclusive 'ALPHARD' lettering or a similar design. This might be because Toyota wants the Alphard to appear more luxurious and independent overseas, avoiding confusion with regular imported vehicles. Parallel importers often modify the emblems to meet demand, giving the car a more business-oriented look. The Alphard itself is a high-end MPV, and emblem variations can also help distinguish between gasoline and hybrid models, with the latter possibly featuring green eco-friendly badges. It's also important to check the emblem during regular maintenance to prevent loosening, which could affect aesthetics and safe driving.