Toyota Alphard Hybrid 2.5 Elegance (A) Facelift Review

The Toyota Alphard is far from a new car. This third generation model was launched back in 2015, and also quietly (and very lightly) facelifted at the end of 2017.

So, why are we reviewing it just now? Because after a long while, it is now being offered as a hybrid.

What's the big deal?

The Alphard is now offered by Toyota authorised dealer Borneo Motors exclusively as a hybrid. The powertrain comprises a 2.5-litre engine, along with two electric motors (one on each axle), to produce a combined 194bhp. The engine itself can produce 206Nm of torque, while the front motor produces 270Nm and the rear motor 139Nm of electric torque.

It is quicker than before. 0-100km/h takes 10.5 seconds (down from 11.6 seconds in the petrol-only model), and especially at low speeds when you're in EV mode, the quicker pick up is apparent.

This being a hybrid, it is also more efficient. Toyota quotes 14.9km/L, which is a 28% improvement on the petrol-only model, but during my test drive I managed about 12km/L. But considering the sheer size and weight of the Alphard (all 2.2 tonnes of it), that's still a pretty respectable figure.

There are a couple of other useful tech features as well. One is the addition of the Toyota Safety System Package, where you get useful features like Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist. The second is the digital rear view mirror, which is very handy considering the car's overall size.

How about the rest of the car?

The rest of the car remains largely the same. It definitely still feels luxurious and classy, thanks to a host of amenities like the captain seats in the second row, ventilated front seats, ample high quality materials, and even a long strip of interior ambient lighting that wraps around the entire second row of the cabin.

Truth be told, it's a very relaxing space to be in. It is quiet, extremely spacious, comfortable, the air-con is nice and cold, and because the car is relatively softly sprung it is actually very easy to fall asleep in (as a passenger of course).

Is it the last word in modernity? Of course not. It is an older model, and that age shows. The infotainment system is dated, the cockpit functional but definitely aged, and I personally find the woodgrain ornamentation to be a little too old fashioned.

Who needs such a big MPV anyway?

The Alphard is big. Very big. There's no overcoming its footprint on the road, and the 1,895mm height means that it'll barely fit into older HDB carparks. And, strictly viewed as a seven-seater people mover, there are certainly cheaper options.

The appeal of the Alphard, then, is a little more niche and specific - for people who want that elevated sense of Toyota luxury. It probably finds more use in Singapore as a chauffeur car rather than a privately-driven car. And that's totally understandable - the experience of being in the second row is just so much more enjoyable than actually driving the thing. It’s not at all bad to drive (the light steering and ample visibility helps disguise its sheer size), but it's just so much better to be driven in.

This new Hybrid model makes the overall experience even better. It's a tad quieter and more refined, while being slightly quicker and more efficient as well.  

So, no matter whether you're driving the family around or are being driven around, if the Alphard is your sort of thing, then there's no denying that this new Alphard Hybrid is just better all around.

Need a guide through the massive interior of this Toyota Alphard Hybrid? Join us as we look through it in our video review here!