Why Does the Alphard Have Two Logos?
4 Answers
The reason the Alphard has two logos is: The Alphard is an imported model, and some imported Toyotas use one logo on the front while the Toyota logo is used on the rear. Taking the 2020 Luxury Edition Alphard as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4975mm, width 1850mm, height 1945mm, wheelbase 3000mm, fuel tank capacity 58L, and curb weight 2270kg. The 2020 Luxury Edition Alphard features a MacPherson strut independent front suspension and a double-wishbone independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor, with a total motor power of 155kW and a total motor torque of 409Nm, paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission.
I've driven several Alphards and noticed many people are curious about why it has two different logos. Actually, the standard Alphard comes from the factory with only a Toyota badge, but owners often like to modify the front grille to adopt a Lexus-style emblem, creating the illusion of mismatched front and rear logos. This is mainly done to enhance the sense of luxury and prestige, as the Alphard holds a high status in the premium market, and fitting it with a Lexus badge can make it appear more upscale. Additionally, the modification cost isn't high—just a few hundred bucks at an auto parts market—but one must be cautious about illegal modifications, such as failing annual inspections or facing insurance claim rejections. I recommend sticking with the factory setup for safety; if you really want to modify, go to a reputable shop and avoid cheap, low-quality parts. Overall, this phenomenon is quite common and reflects the growing demand for automotive personalization.
From a social perspective, the phenomenon of dual emblems on the Alphard reflects the current popularity of car modification culture. I've noticed that owners, especially in Asian markets, prefer replacing the Toyota badge with a Lexus one to create a hybrid aesthetic that showcases personal taste or social status. At its core, the Alphard, as a star model among MPVs, inherently symbolizes high-end status, and badge-swapping makes it more eye-catching, adding appeal in business settings. However, significant risks lurk behind this practice: modifications may compromise electrical safety, cause headlight malfunctions, or result in traffic police fines. I believe this behavior stems from vanity-driven motives and is overly influenced by social media, where people blindly chase superficial luxury while neglecting the essence of driving. Maintaining a car's original factory condition is far more reliable, minimizing potential disputes.
As an automotive design enthusiast, I've analyzed that the Alphard originally comes with only one Toyota emblem system from the factory. The so-called dual emblems are actually aftermarket modifications by owners, who use conversion kits to replace the front emblem with a Lexus-style design to meet aesthetic preferences. This is because the Alphard shares its platform with certain Lexus models, making such modifications relatively easy. Additionally, given the Chinese market's preference for luxury branding, some dealerships even promote this service. My recommendation is to first check the owner's manual to confirm it won't void the warranty before considering such modifications. The key is to balance personalization with safety – don't act too impulsively.
