First generation (AH10; 2002)
The Alphard was launched by Toyota on 22 May 2002. Developed under the lead of chief engineer Hideyuki Iwata, the first-generation model is based on the second-generation Previa/Estima, which in turn shares many components with the Camry. The first-generation Alphard was designed with curvaceous styling that created the illusion of a smaller vehicle, to attract younger customers in the 30–40 years old range. By adopting aAlphard Hybrid
A hybrid version was also added to the lineup in MY 2003, featuring a 2.4-litre '' 2AZ-FXE'' Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a power output of and of torque which has been developed specifically for use in Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and features a high-expansion ratio cycle that raisesSecond generation (AH20; 2008)
After being previewed as the FT-MV in 2007, the second generation Alphard went on sale in May 2008. For this generation, a twin model called the Vellfire, was introduced as the successor of Alphard V. According to Toyota's press release, the Alphard is described as having an "elegant and sophisticated" design while the Vellfire emphasizes on "strength and strong individuality". Developed under the guidance of chief engineer Yuzo Nakagoshi, the second generation Alphard adapted many similar design cues from the first generation, featuring similarly-designed headlights and taillights. Both models are sold via separate distribution channels, with the Alphard sold by Toyota's Toyopet Store dealership chain, while the Vellfire is sold at Toyota's youth oriented Netz Store dealership chain. Variants of the Alphard/Vellfire include: * 2.4-litre petrol 2-wheel drive - ANH20 (Alphard/Vellfire) * 2.4-litre petrol 4-wheel drive (Toyota ATC/DTC) - ANH25 (Alphard/Vellfire) * 3.5-litre petrol 2-wheel drive - GGH20 (Alphard/Vellfire) * 3.5-litre petrol 4-wheel drive (Toyota ATC/DTC) - GGH25 (Alphard/Vellfire) * 2.4-litre hybrid 4-wheel drive (E-Four) - ATH20 (Alphard/Vellfire) The second generation Alphard was launched in the Philippines on 3 August 2010.Grade levels
* Alphard X/Vellfire X - Available with 2.4 and 3.5 petrol engines. Base spec model, Beige cloth interior, 7 or 8 seats, usually just one powered door, xenon headlights, many options available. * Alphard S/Vellfire Z - Available with 2.4 and 3.5 petrol engines. Middle spec. Sportier exterior with body side mouldings and deeper front and rear bumpers. Dark grey/black cloth interior, 7 seat only with ottomans, powered doors on both sides, LED strip lighting, powered mirrors, climate control front and rear. Many special edition variants adding various option packs, usually including a powered tailgate and/or cruise control and/or part-leather trim: ** Platinum selection/Platinum Selection 2 (Vellfire Z) ** Golden Eyes/Golden Eyes 2 (Vellfire Z) ** Prime/Prime 2 (Alphard S) ** Type Gold/Type Gold 2 (Alphard S) * Alphard G/Vellfire V - Available with 2.4 and 3.5 petrol engines. Top spec of standard range. Beige cloth interior, 7 or 8 seats, powered doors on both sides. Cruise control standard. Electric powered front seats with drivers memory, front passenger seat has a powered ottomon (leg rest). Powered tailgate is an option. * Alphard S - C Package/Vellfire Z - G Package - Available with 3.5 engine only up until November 2011. 7 seats only. Dark grey/black cloth interior only, black heated leather an option. Body style as with S/Z variants. Adds middle row captain chairs with powered ottomans and powered recline, side and tailgate doors powered, twin sunroof an option. Premium sound system an option with factory rear monitor. * Alphard G - L Package/Vellfire V - L Package - Available with 3.5 engine only up until November 2011. 7 seats only. Standard beige leather, upgraded middle row captain chairs also in leather with powered recline and powered ottomons. Front seats heated. Twin sunroofs standard. Option to have middle row seats heated and ventilated. Radar Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) optional. * Royal Lounge - Available with 3.5 engine only up until November 2011. Dealer spec option to have the rear interior to be stripped out and replaced with two luxury first class seats with a limousine-like experience for its passengers. Approved conversions were carried out by Modellista. ;Alphard2011 facelift
A facelift model was announced by Toyota on 27 September 2011, with sales in Japan started from 1 November 2011. Also introduced a hybrid version of both the Alphard and Vellfire. The hybrid version was reintroduced in November 2011 and whilst the model variants remained similar, all specs were available in all three drivetrains, 2.4/3.5/2.4 Hybrid. The Hybrid was the later generation of THS2 with Eco Mode and EV mode. The petrol variants also received Eco mode buttons on the dash, helping to smooth out acceleration and to improve efficiency. Styling differences introduced across all models and interior trim colours and materials improved. Nanoe air purifiers were available in almost all variants. * Alphard X/Vellfire X - Spec similar to pre-facelift, available in 2.4 and 3.5 petrol and 2.4 Hybrid * Alphard S/Vellfire Z - Available in 2.4 and 3.5 petrol with Eco mode. 2.4 Hybrid was named Alphard SR and Vellfire ZR, and had cruise control and Nanoe Air purification as standard. * Alphard G/Vellfire V - Available with 2.4 and 3.5 petrol engines with Eco mode and also with 2.4 Hybrid. * Alphard S - C Package/Vellfire Z - G Edition - Available in 2.4 and 3.5 petrol with Eco mode. 2.4 Hybrid was named Alphard SR-C and Vellfire ZR-G. As pre-facelift, but black leather interior much more common, Hybrid models slightly higher spec as standard, but many options available to all variants. * Alphard G - L Package/Vellfire V - L Package - Available in 2.4 Hybrid and 3.5 petrol with Eco mode. (no 2.4 petrol variant, making the Alphard S C-Package/Vellfire Z G Edition the top spec 2.4 petrol variant. * G's – Limited edition by Gazoo based on Alphard S/Vellfire Z, known as the 'GS' or 'G Sport' or 'Gazoo Sport'. Includes Gazoo body kit and styling, Gazoo alloys and half-leather trim with G's logos. Performance exhaust and deeper rear bumper meant no spare wheel carrier, a puncture repair kit was supplied instead. Available with 2.4 or 3.5 petrol engines for model years 2013 and 2014 only. * Premium Seat Package - Premium seat package added heated and cooled middle row captain chairs. In effect this package put all options onto the G and SR/ZR variants, making them the highest spec 7 seaters available, including the twin sunroofs. * Royal Lounge - The Modellista conversion now available on the Hybrid as from November 2011 this was seen as the highest spec drivetrain. Also available on the 3.5 petrol. ;AlphardSafety
JNCAP has rated the Alphard a full six stars for occupant crash safety and outstanding safety features. Safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control and seven airbags (Dual front, Driver and passenger side airbags, Driver's knee and curtain airbags) are standard across all variants. Higher end variants offer a first-in-class Pre-Crash system as an option (only for Japanese models). Features include a radar-guided Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and Pre-collision Warning with Semi-Autonomous Emergency Braking, which only helps apply a moderate amount of brake pressure, and does not completely stop the vehicle.Third generation (AH30; 2015)
Toyota released the third-generation Alphard on 26 January 2015 with a completely redesigned exterior and 2 new engines, including a 2.5-litre 2AR-FE petrol engine and a 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE petrol-hybrid engine. The 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 along with the 6-speed automatic was carried over from the previous generation. A new top-of-the-line Executive Lounge grade was added for both the Alphard and Vellfire. Toyota stated the vehicle was developed under the "luxury saloon with a large space" theme, to emphasize their focus on improving its ride comfort levels and styling. The length has grown by , the width by , and the wheelbase has grown longer by ; but the height is shorter by compared to the previous generation. The platform of the third-generation Alphard was updated, featuring a newly developed double wishbone rear suspension to replace the previous torsion beam setup. The new suspension is chosen to maintain a quiet and rigid body. The floor of the new platform has been thoroughly flattened, and as a result, the second row seats is able to slide forward and backwards up to . The third-generation Alphard is available in Japan and selected Asian markets including Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong, being the first markets outside Japan to receive this all-new model. The third-generation Alphard was introduced in Russia, the model's primary, and only European market, but only with the 3.5-litre V6 engine. The V6 model is also available in other left-hand drive markets, like China and Taiwan. In India, the Vellfire has been offered since February 2020 as the brand's only import model in the country with the 2.5-litre hybrid engine. ;Alphard2018 facelift
The facelifted third generation Alphard and second generation Vellfire were unveiled on 25 December 2017 and released on 8 January 2018. Most of the changes are only to the exterior and powertrain, whereas interior equipment remains largely similar with minor changes. New rectangular taillights replace the horizontal ones on the Vellfire, mimicking the design of the second generation's taillights. The Alphard gets slimmer LED headlights and a larger grille up front. Both models can be optioned with sequential blinkers. Also new is an updated V6 engine, the 2GR-FKS that replaces the outgoing 2GR-FE (except for Hong Kong, due to the emission rules). Output has increased to and . Also new is a Direct-Shift 8-speed automatic, that replaces the 6-speed Super ECT that is only found in V6-powered variants. Accelerating from can be achieved in 7.5 seconds. The debut of the second generation Toyota Safety Sense system is launched with the facelifted Alphard and Vellfire, which became standard equipment across all variants. On 1 May 2020, the Alphard and Vellfire became available at all Toyota dealership sales channels in Japan ( Toyota Store, Toyopet Store, Corolla Store and Netz), and the Netz logo emblem on the Vellfire's front grille was replaced by the Toyota logo emblem. In April 2021, trim levels for the Vellfire in Japan were reduced to one special edition trim, Golden Eyes II, due to decreasing sales as the result of the dealership line-up unification in 2020. In the same month, the Vellfire in China was renamed to Toyota Crown Vellfire (), with the inclusion of the Crown logo replacing the front Toyota logo, and in other places such as the hubcaps and instrument cluster. In June 2022, orders of the AH30 Alphard and Vellfire were suspended, and production ended, resulting in the minivans being unavailable for brand new purchase for a year. As a result, when the AH40 Alphard and Vellfire launched in June 2023, demand for the new minivans was huge, forcing orders to be suspended in late 2023 when the wait time for delivery of the models extended to a year. ;AlphardLexus LM
The Lexus-badged version of the third generation Alphard, called the Lexus LM, was unveiled on 16 April 2019 at the 18th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition and first released on 20 February 2020 inFourth generation (AH40; 2023)
The fourth-generation Alphard and the third-generation Vellfire were released on 21 June 2023. It is based on the TNGA-K platform along with the more luxurious Lexus LM. The exterior dimensions are kept within in length and in width, to ensure the vehicle conform with the size constraints of standard vertical automated parking systems in Japan. The vehicle is equipped with straight rockers and a V-shaped brace in the rear-lower part of the vehicle for a 50% improvement in rigidity compared to their predecessors. Toyota also optimised the use of structural adhesives to limit deformation of the body. It usesMarkets
Japan
The fourth-generation Alphard is offered in G, Z and Executive Lounge trims, while the third-generation Vellfire is offered in Z Premier and Executive Lounge Premier trims. In Japan, Toyota targeted the sales of the Alphard and Vellfire to number 8,500 units per month, of which the Alphard accounts for 70 per cent and the Vellfire for 30 per cent. In late 2023, orders for the Alphard and Vellfire in Japan were suspended due to overwhelming demand after orders of the previous generation were suspended in June 2022. When the wait time for delivery of the models extended to August 2024, the decision was made to suspend orders until the backlog can be cleared. The plug-in hybrid variant of the Alphard and Vellfire were announced in Japan on 20 December 2024, and sales will commence on 31 January 2025.Taiwan
The Taiwanese market Alphard was launched in the same day as Japan launched the vehicle on 21 June 2023. It is only available in one grade and it is paired with 2.5-litre ''A25A-FXS'' petrol hybrid engine.China
The Chinese market Crown Vellfire was introduced on 22 June 2023 with the 2.5-litre ''A25B-FXS'' petrol hybrid engine.Malaysia
The Malaysian market Alphard and Vellfire were revealed on 6 July 2023 and officially launched on 23 October 2023. Unlike in most markets, the Malaysian-spec Vellfire is powered by the 2.5-litre ''2AR-FE'' petrol engine, serving it as an entry-level grade. While the Alphard is only available in Executive Lounge grade and it is powered with the 2.4-litre ''T24A-FTS'' turbocharged petrol engine.Hong Kong
The Hong Kong market Alphard and Vellfire were revealed on 8 July 2023.India
The Indian market Vellfire hybrid was launched on 3 August 2023.Indonesia
The Indonesian market Alphard was launched at the 30th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show on 10 August 2023. It is available in 2.5 X, 2.5 G and 2.5 HEV grade levels. The Vellfire followed later at the 31st Indonesia International Motor Show on 15 February 2024, available solely in 2.5 Executive Lounge HEV grade.Philippines
The Philippine market Alphard became available on 11 August 2023. It is only offered in a single grade level (2.5 HEV CVT).Thailand
The Thai market Alphard and Vellfire were revealed on 16 August 2023. It is offered in 2.5 HEV E-Four and 2.5 HEV Luxury E-Four.Brunei
The Bruneian market Alphard was launched on 18 August 2023. It was available in two variants, Standard with the 2.5-litre ''2AR-FE'' petrol engine and Executive Lounge with the 2.4-litre ''T24A-FTS'' turbocharged petrol engine.Vietnam
The Vietnamese market Alphard was launched on 22 November 2023, it was available in two variants, powered by either a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid engine.South Korea
The South Korean market Alphard was launched in September 2023. It is positioned above the Sienna in Toyota's Korean lineup and is available in a single hybrid trim level.Powertrain
For the Japanese market, the Alphard is powered by a 2.5-litre ''2AR-FE'' petrol engine paired to a Super CVT-i automatic that is carried over from the previous generation, and a brand new 2.5-litre ''A25A-FXS'' petrol-hybrid engine. The Vellfire has a 2.4-litre ''T24A-FTS'' turbo petrol engine alongside the 2.5-litre petrol hybrid engine. The 3.5-litre 2GR-FKS V6 engine option was discontinued from the lineup.Vellfire Spacious Lounge Concept
In late October 2023, Toyota showcased a modified version of the AH40 Vellfire, called the Vellfire Spacious Lounge Concept, at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. It is a 4-seater version of the production Vellfire, with a privacy curtain separating the driver and front passenger from the rear, a mini-fridge, floor trays, new carpeting, folding tables, power outlets and speakers integrated into the seats and headrests respectively, and a coat rack in the trunk. It is painted in a dark grey colour. The Vellfire Spacious Lounge Concept was built by Toyota Auto Body. The Spacious Lounge Concept entered production virtually unchanged for 2025, with sales to commence January 31, where it is exclusive to the new Alphard PHEV. It is based on the Executive Lounge and is geared towards chauffeur use.Sales
See also
*References
External links
* (Alphard) * (Vellfire) * (Lexus LM) {{Lexus Alphard Cars introduced in 2002 2010s cars 2020s cars Minivans Full-size vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles Vehicles with CVT transmission Hybrid minivans Partial zero-emissions vehicles