Nearly two years after it was previewed locally, the Toyota Vellfire Hybrid has finally been launched in Malaysia. The petrol-electric luxury MPV joins its 2.5 litre petrol sibling that was introduced back in 2023. Continuing to be fully imported from Japan, the Vellfire Hybrid retails at a cool RM549,900, over RM100,000 more than the pure petrol model (RM448,000). In fact, the car is actually nearly RM2,000 more expensive than the Alphard 2.4 litre turbo. This figure is on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year (also with unlimited mileage) battery warranty. Pricey it may be, but the Hybrid at least packs a punch. Under the short bonnet lies a 2.5 litre A25A-FXS Atkinson-cycle Dynamic Force naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, producing 187 PS at 6,000 rpm and 233 Nm of torque from 4,300 to 4,500 rpm. This is paired with a 182 PS/270 Nm electric motor and an E-CVT setup for a total system output of 250 PS – 70 PS (37%) up on the petrol model. The big benefit, however, is fuel consumption, quoted at 5.7 litres per 100 km (17.5 km per litre) versus 9.1 litres per 100 km (11 km per litre) for the petrol. Beyond that, the car is essentially identical to the petrol model on the outside, still with the car’s unique split LED headlights, massive slatted grille, vertical (fake) corner air inlets and full-width LED taillights with U-shaped graphics. The wheels are also the same 19-inch ten-spoke units with a two-tone finish. Inside, the Hybrid is set apart through Sunset Brown Nappa leather upholstery (black faux leather on the petrol model) and a head-up display, bringing it up to par with the Alphard in terms of kit. You still, of course, get a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14-inch infotainment/navigation touchscreen with Lexus-style physical air-con control knobs and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 15-speaker JBL sound system and a Qi wireless charger continue to be standard equipment. The most meaningful change is to the second row, however, with towkays benefitting from the Alphard’s plusher Executive Lounge seats. These include built-in ottomans, separate fold-out tables with vanity mirrors and a smartphone-style control touchscreen, plus an additional massage function to join the standard seat heating and ventilation. Also lifted from the Alphard is a 14-inch ceiling-mounted rear monitor, set in between the two rear skylights with powered sunshades. Other bits of standard kit include app-based remote engine start, four-zone auto air con with Panasonic Nanoe X air ionising, eight-way driver (with memory) and four-way passenger power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a power-adjustable steering column, paddle shifters, a digital rear-view mirror, a 360-degree camera system, a powered tailgate and solar and security window tint. As for safety, the Vellfire Hybrid continues to come as standard with the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense driver assists, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, parking AEB, traffic sign recognition and adaptive high beam. Six airbags and stability control are, of course, fitted. Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater.
Liked by Lauren Harris, Aiden Morgan
Liked by Lauren Harris, Aiden Morgan
Liked by Lauren Harris, Aiden Morgan
