It looks strong. The face is imbued with power, but it’s not precisely handsome. The interior reveals a surprising contrast. It is luxurious and well-organized. It’s a blend of tough exterior and refined beauty, a ‘beauty and the beast’ ensemble.
This is Toyota’s flagship minivan, the Alphard. It is the fourth generation model, measuring 5,005mm in length and configured for seven passengers. The seating arrangement is designed in a 2+2+3 configuration for the three rows.
The second row is essential. It has everything. A large monitor descends from the ceiling, and there’s a folding table available. The roof features two glass panels divided into left and right. The ottoman seats can recline like a bed and even include massage functions.
The AI voice control system integrated with Naver Clova allows you to control temperature settings, navigation, and radio functions. Almost everything you can think of is concentrated in the second row. It would be more than sufficient for a chauffeur-driven experience.
The interior is finished with soft leather. The luxurious feel of the materials is immediately noticeable to the fingertips. A 14-inch large center display controls many functions, including navigation.
The 12.3-inch multi-information display (MID) lets you choose one of four design themes. You can select between a tachometer or a hybrid meter. There are numerous options available for diverse combinations on the instrument panel.
The digital rearview mirror provides a clear and wide rear view. You can select the mirror option to monitor the interior. Android Auto needs to be connected via wire, while Apple CarPlay supports wireless connection.
This minivan utilizes a 2.5L engine with a direct parallel hybrid system. The Atkinson cycle engine produces a maximum output of 190 horsepower. The total system output is 250 horsepower, and with an unladen weight of 2,330kg, the weight per horsepower is 9.3kg. While it is powerful, the weight is also considerable.
When accelerating, the weight is noticeable. It’s a suitable weight for a minivan. When pushed, it demonstrates strong acceleration. Revving the engine high makes the sound quite rough.
The E-Four all-wheel-drive system only engages the rear wheels when necessary. It adjusts the power distribution between 100:0 when only the front wheels are driving to up to 20:80.
Upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the engine stops, allowing for gliding. The situation often activates EV mode when the engine shuts off. If battery levels are sufficient, the vehicle can run up to speeds around 60km/h on EV mode.
The nickel-metal hydride battery goes through charging and discharging cycles without reaching either complete discharge or full charge.
The movements feel smooth. A MacPherson strut in the front and a double-wishbone suspension in the rear, along with vibration-damping rubber bushings and frequency-sensitive shock absorbers, contribute to the comfort.
There’s also pitch body control. It precisely controls the torque of the motors and optimizes damping to correct pitch.
Toyota Safety Sense is highly refined. It avoids crossing lanes and maintains a proper following distance. It engages in driving assistance much more smoothly than a typical novice driver. It feels like having an invisible co-driver.
Emergency Brake Assist (S), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Adaptive High Beam (AHS), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Active Driving Assist (PDA), and Safe Exit Assist (SEA) are included in Toyota Safety Sense.
This would be perfect for business use or as a family car for a household with three cars. It can carry up to six golf bags, making it a great choice for golf enthusiasts.
For 100 million KRW, you would receive a cashback of 800,000 KRW. It is a minivan produced in Japan, offering a taste of ‘Japanese luxury.’ It was a different experience.
Oh Jong-hoon’s direct opinion.
The exterior design is somewhat overwhelming. The exaggerated appearance is too intense. It showcases a strong character that leans towards Japanese design besides being true to its name.
The method of folding the third row of seats upwards to secure them makes the trunk messy. Wouldn’t it be better to conceal storage on the trunk floor instead?
Oh Jong-hoon yes@autodiary.kr