2024 4th-gen Alphard and Vellfire: 2.5-litre petrol, 2.4-litre turbo and hybrid powertrains

TOKYO: Toyota has started sales of the 2024 fourth-generation Alphard and Vellfire in petrol-powered and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variants in Japan.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) for the Alphard and Vellfire will also be introduced in the future.

The Alphard has prices ranging from 5.4 to 8.72 million yen (RM177,023 to RM285,860) , while the Vellfire is priced from 6.55 to 8.92 million yen (RM214,722 to RM292,416).

Powertrains for the Alphard include a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a Super CVT-i, while the Vellfire has a 2.4-litre turbo engine mated to a Direct Shift 8-speed automatic.

Drivelines offered are front and four-wheel drive, as well as E-Four all-wheel drive (hybrids only).

The series parallel hybrid models use a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder DOHC engine, with a maximum system output of 250ps, mated to a electric CVT (continuously variable transmission).

The Toyota Hybrid System delivers outstanding fuel efficiency, with the Executive Lounge E-Four grade achieving a fuel economy of 16.5km per litre.

A 2WD drivetrain offers even greater fuel efficiency, with the Executive Lounge 2WD grade delivering a fuel economy of 17.5km per litre.

As a recap, Toyota launched the Alphard in 2002 during a wave of minivan popularity; positioned as the ultimate Toyota minivan, it was targeted at customers who appreciated luxury.

When the second-generation Alphard was released in 2008, the company developed the Vellfire as a new model for customers seeking greater individuality.

In 2015, the third-generation Alphard saw the adoption of a new double wishbone rear suspension for exquisite ride comfort, as well as the introduction of a new top-tier Executive Lounge grade.

According to Toyota, the fourth-generation Alphard and Vellfire have been improved in terms of vibration and noise reduction measures, fuel economy, and driving dynamics, while the interior and exterior design, spacious interior and exterior space, and user-friendliness have been enhanced.

For better differentiation between the Alphard and Vellfire, the new Vellfire gets an exclusive new Z Premier grade with primarily black equipment and an aggressive demeanor, and special tuning to its suspension.

The Alphard and Vellfire are the first-ever Toyota vehicles to feature Universal Steps on both right and left-hand-side sliding doors, making it easier for small children and the elderly to enter and exit the vehicles.

As the doors open, a step emerges 220mm above ground, lowering the height of the first step for those entering or exiting the vehicle.

Long assist grips designed for easy use by occupants of all shapes and sizes are also positioned on the C pillars and on both sides of the ceiling to ensure comfortable entry and exit.

The Toyota New Global Architecture or TNGA platform (GA-K) has been optimized for minivan use, thus improving rigidity by 50% over the third-generation models.

The models now pair a TNGA-specific MacPherson strut front suspension with an updated double wishbone rear suspension.

An array of improvements has resulted in 30% reduction in vibrations over previous models.

Also, the Alphard and Vellfire are equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, the latest active safety package:

Proactive Driving Assist – Intra-Lane Steering Assist predicts driver inputs and adjusts the steering counterforce to provide support for smoother driving by limiting unnecessary operations and preventing operational delays.

Proactive Driving Assist – Deceleration Assist when Turning at Intersections is activated when an approaching intersection is detected, and the driver releases the accelerator pedal and turns on a direction indicator light; when activated, it provides assistance for early vehicle deceleration, enabling the driver to turn left or right with greater ease.

Both the vehicles also have Toyota Teammate, a suite of driver-assistance technologies that provide support for parking and in traffic jams.

Advanced Park (with remote function) allows drivers to use the “Remote Park” smartphone app to remotely park the vehicle or exit parking spaces, even while outside the vehicle.

Advanced Drive (support during traffic congestion) is is activated when certain conditions are met: the driver is facing forward, driving on an expressway or other motor-vehicle-only roadway, Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are activated, and the vehicle is in congested traffic and moving at a speed of 0-40 km/h.

It helps reduce driver fatigue in congested traffic and enables the driver to pay closer attention to his or her surroundings.

2024 fourth-generation Toyota Alphard