I am a Japanese viewer. It's nice to see familiar cars from my country being reviewed in foreign countries. Alphard sells better than Vellfire in Japan. Many young people seem to prefer the luxury of the front face. By the way, Japan's Alphard has two luxury grades, "Executive Lounge" and "Royal Lounge" in addition to the regular model. Equivalent to Lexus LM. Prices start at 8 million yen and 15 million yen, respectively. These cars are not used by ordinary people, but are often used by high-income people such as politicians and celebrities. On a different note, Toyota sells smaller versions of the Alphard in Japan called the Voxy and Noah. This one is cheaper, so if you're looking for a 7 seater family van, this is the one for you. If you go camping, consider the Mitsubishi Delica D5.
Older Alphards from 2005 and beyond is already being shipped all across the globe from japan😂 We got flooded with Alphards in Central Asia❤ Best car I've ever driven. Build quality is so good. And the metal used for car body is so good it's sturdy as a tank
@@isiseshisewebhu there is no much better than an Alphard besides the latest Chinese MPVs. Not even an S class will give you more comfort than an Alphard.
@@TsLeng And you will sell your soul merely for perceived comfort? Nice, recline and relax, enjoy the ride until your Fanboy Crapmobile seizes up its gearbox, diff and centre bearing 400km out of warranty. Enjoy a fizzy one while being served a stiff quote and a middle finger from a brand most disloyal to their delusional fan base. Talking from dear experience. Warranties are just bloatware.
@@TsLeng True, I already have riding this car few times and it was AMAZING because not only comfort, but also you have way much freedom than S class have. Basically this is S class on MPV but better. I always rent this car when I have long-trip destination rather than driving my own car depsite the price is quite expensive (300-400 USD per day). Someday, I will buy this car when I have enough money even if it was used version, but you will get best one if you inspect the car carefully.
i am from russia, i bought from japan vellfire 2020 with low mileage 9000km. We have two children, a dog. We sold the McRedes GLE Coupe and now we want comfort, lots of space. Mercedes breaks down after 100,000 km very often and its repair is expensive. 😊😊😊
Over half the cars that come into New Zealand are grey imports. Just about all dealers are certified importers. My parents have had 5 imports over the years. They feel better built and are often in much better condition for the mileage. Keep it up ReDriven!
Been a Vellfire Welcab owner for over 10 years now... The only regret I have owning it, is the fact that ever since being driven or driving in our Vellfire, my family members & I find it difficult to ride in any other non-MPV vehicles 😅... We've been spoilt by the sheer versatility, comfort & luxury our Vellfire offers us 🥰... Our humble Vellfire has been our ever reliable daily, school run, holiday treats, market visits, recreational outings, the occasional guest hosting or ceremonies ride and even international border crossing transportation (I've driven it into Singapore & Thailand)... To date I've clocked almost 300,000km on it and other than normal wear & tear of mechanical parts and components, the 2GR-FE has been reliable, loyal and relatively frugal 🤲
I owe a 2007 Tarago which is the forerunner of the Vellfire/ Alphard, and it is the best car I have ever owned, bar none. Mine has the 2gr-fe engine, which, if driven sensibly, uses no more fuel than the 4 cylinder version. So reliable and cheap to service. And, dare I say it, looks a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the new ones.
I own a 2018 Toyota Alphard and 2018 Volvo XC90. Both can carry 7 pax but trust me for any road trip, the Toyota wins all the time (comfort & luggage carrying capacity even with the 3rd row up!). The kids love it. Even with its massive size, the wife love to drive it daily as well over the Volvo (especially with the ability to control the rear passenger sliding doors). If you live in an area where the roads are reasonable and don’t need to go off road activities, the Toyota is a recommended choice! Plus point, the service and parts are cheap.
I've just got back from Vietnam. I went from Hue to Da Nang in a Toyota Fortuna with 720,000km on the odometer. The driver said he does three return trips from Hue to Da Nang every day (700km per day), 4,900km every week.
@@gregburville3368 oh they do. Oil change as minimum or that engine would have been toast. Every 10k km means every other week it's an oil change time😂 It's the crazy ignorant first world people who think cars don't need service. Your Vietnamese driver's livelihood depends on the vehicle. You bet it is serviced.
@@vipvip-tf9rw dunno man... It's a Toyota. They don't normally have a long service interval. Just a normal or severe use interval. Some people still do oil change eVery 5k km
So good to have a mechanic explain the common issues and reliability of the vehicles... Virtually no other reviewers do this which is a sin IMHO. Great Work 👍
I own and daily drive a 2018 Alphard and absolutely zero issues. Immensely happy with it. Once you drive one of these for a few weeks, there is no going back to SUV's. Although after seeing the all-electric 2023 Zeekr 009, a whole new level beyong the Alphard, with torque, hp and performance of a sports car, I'm ready to upgrade.
i live in Singapore and i’m a owner of an AGH30 Year 2022 Alphard Hybrid, I can tell you that once you sat in one of these, its really hard to find another car that provides this amount of luxury, space and comfort. I drove this all the way from Singapore to Bangkok 1900km and my passengers were sound asleep thru out the journey. Imagine sitting in the second row for long journeys. Its like business class on wheels.
When i test drove one, my friend’s Alphard, i traded my 2018 Range rover in for it, that’s genuinely how impressed i was with the quality and comfort! It’s true that this car is captivating to the max
A popular choice amongst the wealthy here in Malaysia, you can't go a day without seeing one here. Slap a modelista bodykit on it and it'll look sick. Btw check out the Executive lounge and royal lounge spec too. Can't tell the difference technically with its brother the Alphard. But the equivalent spec of the alphard to this vellfire(ZG) is the Alphard (SC)
That is the Vellfire, not the Alphard and the later comes in different trim level. Being actually wealthy is required for the higher trim level. I could import a 2018 for 30 grand and that is the price of an average new car in Europe. 🤔
Ours have laminated bamboo flooring with a privacy partition. We once got stuck for three days at a port since the ferry couldn’t cross due to a storm and it made the ordeal pretty bearable. For three days we basically camped out in it, netflix, big tv on, wifi, portable induction cooker and 24 hour air conditioning it only consumed I think less than half the tank of gasoline due to the hybrid system.
I used to laugh at why people would want a car like this, unless you have a driver. Then I have 2 kids and I bought one because I need the space. Best decision ever. It’s super comfortable, reasonable power, reasonable fuel cons, kids love them. If you’re a dad or a mom, test drive these, you won’t look back.
We recently got our second Estima (Alphard's little brother, sometimes called a "Tarago on steroids"). We had a CX8 through work which I really loved driving but on longer trips it was a little pokey for a family of 5 plus luggage (we tend to put one kid in third row as they fight lol). First time was the 2.4 which was solid, if a bit breathless. This one is the same 3.5 that is in the Alphard, it's excellent. The grey imports are just incredible honestly. Great review AK
As the previous owner of a 2008 alphard (basically a vellfire with a different front end) my family have done 280,000km on that car before we sold it, and my brother has been begging us to buy another one because it is so comfortable, especially in the middle row. And it’s so well built, the fact that we did 280,000km without any major issues says quite a lot on its own But my dad ended up buying a BMW 5 series for me.
@@tooltime9260 nah, in my country the asshole drivers are pickup truck drivers and tuk tuk drivers. And the reason I got a BMW instead of an E class is because an E class is driven by middle aged men not someone in their 20’s.
I live in Japan and have an Alphard. When I first got it, I thought it would be a bit intimidating and difficult to maneuver in Tokyo, but after driving it around a bit, it actually is very easy to drive. I now find sedans much harder to drive due to the limited all-round visibility compared to the Alphard.
You guys in Australia are so lucky you can get used cars straight from Japan and have the steering wheel on the side that all the other cars have them!
i have vellfire. my family love riding this car. they say so comfortable than other car that i have which is merc glc, bmw 330e. basically this car is the best bang for family. even driving alone also comfortable. but the car is really big and quite a challenges to park at a small basement carpark. but its still easy to drive.
In Singapore, the top 1% buys a Lambo and a Vellfire. One to show off, one for comfort. It cost half a million to get a Vellfire here in SG, the same amount to get a house.
Also note, in Australia you can only get the Alphard / Vellfire as the Hybrid model (unless you purchase a wheelchair accessible model) under new grey import legislation which came into effect this year. So the ICE models cannot be imported into Australia with very few exceptions.
Well that's unfortunate. The V6 variant is superb. I've driven a mate's one (in Malaysia) and it pulls amazingly well for what it is. The ride quality isn't amazing though given it's price. Can be quite jittery in the rear and soundproofing is mediocre at best
@@haoxuee your importer imported it under the old legislation which is still running mate. Call up ROVER Australia and you'll see what models can be imported with the new laws
Great stuff again guys - have been waiting for someone to do a video on one of these in Aus since I saw them in Japan in 2016. Fully agree they’re ahead of any SUV manufacturer. Only thing that put me off was the language in the infotainment and dash, but nice to know they can be updated in the 2017+ variants!
Excellent review ! Best review on the Alphard/Vellfire series for sure ! .......and yes, I am a Toyota fanboy ! Our allowed the public to import used & new vehicles since 1995. Each individual can import a personal vehicle every four years. There are a lot of dealers, and of course there were some sketchy ones. There have been horror stories by clients. More than 50% of our cars are grey imports. I imported cars from 2006 until 2021 on an individual basis. I get exactly the vehicle you wanted, and deliver it, ready-to-drive at your door. The Vellfire is an exceptional vehicle. Because it is expensive, there are very few in our country. Toyota is recognized here for reliability and excellent suspension. My car ( Corolla Fielder wagon) is 20 years old and still has the original front shocks ! I think that the rear seats of the Vellfire you reviewed can be folded, swung upward and hung, to make more cargo space. Yes, it will wipe the floor with the competition ! Thanks again. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.
People in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore etc. discovered the Alphard as a luxurious status symbol 20 years ago, it's basically a private jet on land, I'm surprised the rest of the world have not caught up to it yet. In Hong Kong for example, you see Alphard everywhere, with a driver in it, waiting, sleeping, playing on their iPhone, parked on the side of the road in a business district, which means their rich and important boss is having a meeting in one of the tall skyscrapers or having dinner in a Michelin restaurant nearby, and they are just waiting for their boss, hence the Alphard is absolutely a status symbol here in Asia. It's basically a Rolls Royce at tenth of the price but with twice the head room.
Owned 2015 2.5 non hybrid and clocked more than 100k km. No major problems. Things that repaired/replaced: -aircond controller (that adjust temp) for driver side. -some part that resembles gears and connected to camshaft or something. If it failed, can starve the engine of lubricant, causing overheat. Changed after passed 100k km mileage. Preventive maintenance. -oil change every 8-10k km (fully synthetic) -gearbox fluid (CVTF) every 20k km Very good workhorse. Can maintain rev at 4-5k rpm for hours and still no problem or overheating. Not for driver, seat not as comfortable as european mpv, handling just ok. Passengers will love it most. Explained why lots of owners employ drivers and seated at the back.
We’ve sold a ton of these in Hong Kong over the years and still do, used and new. Huge waiting lists for the new 40 model. Quite a few appearing in the UK now as HK’ers who’ve moved over bring their cars with them. We’ve imported a lot into the UK. It’s a tried and tested car, capable of huge mileages and relatively easy servicing except for the getting to the rear head/cam cover on the V6 models.
My dad has the 1st one, 3.0 V6, 25+ years old, still runs great, almost everyone in Malaysia has one of different generations or knows somebody that has one. I rented one and drove around Fuji area from tokyo. Its just great~!
Drive around the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and you'll quickly realise they are in fact VERY popular. Every 2nd or 3rd car on the road (especially out the front of private schools) is an Alphard/Vellfire.
Indonesian here... Alphard/Vellfire or even Lexus one (LM series), is a statement of prosperity. you can't call yourself a boss if you're not stepping out from one of these trio. And no one here cares enough about the first row (driver side), cause no one here buys Alphard/vellfire to drive, all about the 2nd row. And about the front facade, a wise man once told me the richer you are, the flashier your car. the pre-facelift and Lexus model even have huge humongous flashy silver grill
Love the video and would always prefer a minivan for space and comfort, just that the wife doesn’t prefer the looks. The voice over was so realistic!👍🏼😁
Cant get past the front facade. Looks like a transformer who couldnt quite transform into a people mover. Got to admit, interior is the bomb!! Gr8 review as always🎉
here in malaysia there were so many of them even voxy the mini model of alphard and velfire. my family just bought 2019 velfire v6 executive lounge model
love your car reviews. We've got a 2011 Vellfire. It's amazingly practical and comfortable. And being a older model it's such value for money. Great content in your channel.
My cousin in japan has the Velfire, it was honestly quite astonishing how little sound was transmitted from the outside to the inside. And the space inside/leg room was just astronomical. My OTHER cousin in japan has the Alphard, it amused me as it seems like they would get into a comparison battle between the 2 Vans.
Test drove one of these but older, 2005ish, and rented the Mercedes people mover which was a few years old and low mileage. The alphard was head and shoulders above in terms luxury and comfort and the Merc already has some serious issues
The epitome of success in Indonesia. Very very popular car here in Indonesia, people said, you aren't rich if you don't have a toyota alphard. Even our president often seen in one of those.
Here in Malaysia, and likely wherever else in Asia they're popular, Alphards and Vellfire aren't driven by their owners. These are the cars of choice for business tycoons, celebrities and politicians. You pay someone to drive you around.
On whether this car will make you feel like “you’ve given up on your hope and dreams”, here in Southeast Asia, the Alphard is basically the CEO/ billionaire daily vehicle of choice. It has a high level of comfort and luxury yet remains very discreet from the outside, which is important because in some places you don’t want to be advertising your wealth. Many rich people may have a fleet of super luxury cars like Porsches, Lamborghinis etc but will always maintain an alphard or two for their daily commute driven around by a chauffeur. If you see an alphard on the road in many Asian countries, there is a high likelihood a wealthy individual is being driven around in it
It is a face only a Mother could love. I think Toyota used a Decepticon as inspiration. There are two versions of the captains chairs. The flash-o leather recliners you see here, and a one level down version. I HIGHLY recommend the lower level ones. They are just as comfortable and are WAY more practical. They fold for cargo hauling or can be made into a bed.
I love it! Foreigners buy for purpose and the logic side of my brain understands that. It’s a Toyota Highlander with maxed out interior space. I drive everywhere. I need the all wheel drive. I need high under clearance, the US roads can be no different that an off road path. This is definitely a city commuter. It looks like it can be a part of a transportation business. Suggesting to your viewers to lower their van can be a disaster for where they drive their van. Very cool! I’m a Toyota fan owning 2 Toyota’s.
There are loads of these Vellfire and Alphard in Singapore and Malaysia. I'm in Singapore and cars are super expensive here so I just bought myself a normal 7-seater Honda Freed JDM and I don't think you will get that in Australia.
@@masonichisenga3032in early 2000 there's JDM importer in Randwick NSW that told us that he imported cars from Malaysia. Strange, because the cars that he imported quite rare in Malaysia, but not as rare as in Sydney. The showroom just next door to Malaysia Hall Sydney
this is the best car when you have a driver driving for you , some model like the one I own called "executive lounge " comes with sun blinder on passenger window , it just gives you maximum privacy , its such an amazing underrated car .
I would absolutely buy one of these but can't because of our stupid 25 year import rule and because the US is so obsessed with SUVs and crossovers that manufacturers are afraid to sell anything else here.
just got a 2022 alphard this year, grey import. Comfort, luxury, the tech bits( radar cruise control in stop go traffic), the size. its just amazing. and did i mention its a toyota? parts and maintenance and reliability all top notch. only complain, you cant go fast. but i just love crusiing in this. just get this instead of some 7 seater suv.
My parents have owned the predecessor to this the Grandvia. The interior wasn't leather but had all the same features and not one hard plastic surface. It was super comfortable and with the 3L turbo diesel from the Prado it was a torquey beast
This luxury van is pretty wild available on our street in Malaysia.. U can easily see one every few second on road😅.. Regard as a starter business people car with comfort for yourself and also family
I remembered hearing rumors of Lexus bringing these to the USA and selling them for some ridiculous high price. I would LOVE one without all the chrome but I doubt we will ever get them here.
The third row seats in the Toyota Estima fold into the floor with a simple manual or pushbutton operation, leaving the rear floor completely flat and at least twice the load space of the Alphard/Vellfire.
Great review mate! Although will never be able to purchase one of these (Canada), so refreshing to hear your review that might have been cancelled on this side of the pond, eH? (bisexual centre cubby, going both ways).
It’s everywhere in my country in Malaysia minister and upper class citizen enjoy the vellfire/ Alphard due to its reliability and comfort its know as a luxury car here in Asia
Great channel, You’ve got to review a Toyota/Lexus markX ZIO 350G wagon. Polarizing front end also but the comfort and drive so much nicer than an SUV.
I’m guessing you have one, I’ve been looking at one and have been humming and harring on wether to pull the trigger on it, what more can you tell me about them to convince me? Cheers!
Vellfire/Alphard are becoming increasingly popular in Mongolia. Roads here are pretty rough, often we have to drive through mud, sand, or rocky roads. Alphard/Vellfire is a pretty comfortable for a family with 5 or more, it has a nickname "moving sofa".
im from Amsterdam and i absolutely love this car, the chrome is a bit much., but with a carbon wrap, and maybe some bumper + spoiler change , it can look like a real sleeper!
Don’t understand why they’re not importing them into the USA. I have seen them in Japan and always thought they looked the business. And now I see that they are!
I wanna thank you for the captivating video on the Vellfire luxury SUV van; what an attractive vehicle both inside, out! The chrome front, as you point out, is a little too flashy for me too,else top mark all round.
Are these Toyota people movers the best people movers ever made one thing about the exterior when you are driving it you can't see the exterior but the interior is so nice as for Jims comments on this Toyota reliability plus you can't go wrong l think the interiors is so luxurious especially for the second row seats were have we seen this amount of luxury in the passenger seats in another Toyota the Century of course this people mover is on another level l have no need for a people mover but if l was in the market for one l would definitely buy one
I am a Japanese viewer.
It's nice to see familiar cars from my country being reviewed in foreign countries.
Alphard sells better than Vellfire in Japan. Many young people seem to prefer the luxury of the front face.
By the way, Japan's Alphard has two luxury grades, "Executive Lounge" and "Royal Lounge" in addition to the regular model.
Equivalent to Lexus LM. Prices start at 8 million yen and 15 million yen, respectively. These cars are not used by ordinary people, but are often used by high-income people such as politicians and celebrities.
On a different note, Toyota sells smaller versions of the Alphard in Japan called the Voxy and Noah. This one is cheaper, so if you're looking for a 7 seater family van, this is the one for you.
If you go camping, consider the Mitsubishi Delica D5.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Older Alphards from 2005 and beyond is already being shipped all across the globe from japan😂 We got flooded with Alphards in Central Asia❤ Best car I've ever driven. Build quality is so good. And the metal used for car body is so good it's sturdy as a tank
I wish Toyota sold these in United States, speaceious van with comfortable ride, I want to have.
who cares ! You can't find them in the US ridiculous utube dumb
@@jamessmedley3886You cant find Binturongs in Texas, but you can still learn that they exist. Dummy
For those who’ve never been in one, the Vellfire is amazing!
What why?😂
If you're used to much better, one may question what's "amazing" indeed. I don't sing in the Fanboy Choir; dear experience taught me otherwise.
@@isiseshisewebhu there is no much better than an Alphard besides the latest Chinese MPVs.
Not even an S class will give you more comfort than an Alphard.
@@TsLeng And you will sell your soul merely for perceived comfort? Nice, recline and relax, enjoy the ride until your Fanboy Crapmobile seizes up its gearbox, diff and centre bearing 400km out of warranty. Enjoy a fizzy one while being served a stiff quote and a middle finger from a brand most disloyal to their delusional fan base. Talking from dear experience. Warranties are just bloatware.
@@TsLeng True, I already have riding this car few times and it was AMAZING because not only comfort, but also you have way much freedom than S class have. Basically this is S class on MPV but better. I always rent this car when I have long-trip destination rather than driving my own car depsite the price is quite expensive (300-400 USD per day).
Someday, I will buy this car when I have enough money even if it was used version, but you will get best one if you inspect the car carefully.
i am from russia, i bought from japan vellfire 2020 with low mileage 9000km. We have two children, a dog. We sold the McRedes GLE Coupe and now we want comfort, lots of space. Mercedes breaks down after 100,000 km very often and its repair is expensive. 😊😊😊
Over half the cars that come into New Zealand are grey imports. Just about all dealers are certified importers. My parents have had 5 imports over the years. They feel better built and are often in much better condition for the mileage.
Keep it up ReDriven!
Mate it would awesome if you did a whole segment on grey imports.
Please do
What is grey import?
@@SheikhOFJorDan Not officially imported by the manufacturer into the country.
Been a Vellfire Welcab owner for over 10 years now... The only regret I have owning it, is the fact that ever since being driven or driving in our Vellfire, my family members & I find it difficult to ride in any other non-MPV vehicles 😅... We've been spoilt by the sheer versatility, comfort & luxury our Vellfire offers us 🥰... Our humble Vellfire has been our ever reliable daily, school run, holiday treats, market visits, recreational outings, the occasional guest hosting or ceremonies ride and even international border crossing transportation (I've driven it into Singapore & Thailand)... To date I've clocked almost 300,000km on it and other than normal wear & tear of mechanical parts and components, the 2GR-FE has been reliable, loyal and relatively frugal 🤲
Here in the Philippines, Alphard is considered as Luxury van.. Take note also the high end version of this Alphard - Lexus LM
because It is
True. And in India, this is a gangster van.
It's the default shuttle for Chinese gambling patrons in the casino district of Pasay City
Lexus LM is now the successor of the Alphard but the latter is still sought after in the used car market.
@@TheVinzius they still continue Alphard and Velfire. Those 2 have better sells figure than lexus LM
I owe a 2007 Tarago which is the forerunner of the Vellfire/ Alphard, and it is the best car I have ever owned, bar none. Mine has the 2gr-fe engine, which, if driven sensibly, uses no more fuel than the 4 cylinder version. So reliable and cheap to service. And, dare I say it, looks a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the new ones.
the yakuza love them in black and the swivelling captains chairs are as close to the royal treatment as you can get
Is that the same as the Yakuza?🤔
I own a 2018 Toyota Alphard and 2018 Volvo XC90. Both can carry 7 pax but trust me for any road trip, the Toyota wins all the time (comfort & luggage carrying capacity even with the 3rd row up!). The kids love it. Even with its massive size, the wife love to drive it daily as well over the Volvo (especially with the ability to control the rear passenger sliding doors). If you live in an area where the roads are reasonable and don’t need to go off road activities, the Toyota is a recommended choice! Plus point, the service and parts are cheap.
I've just got back from Vietnam. I went from Hue to Da Nang in a Toyota Fortuna with 720,000km on the odometer. The driver said he does three return trips from Hue to Da Nang every day (700km per day), 4,900km every week.
Amazing stuff. His off days are spent servicing that car😂
@@TsLeng it's Vietnam. They don't service until it breaks.
@@gregburville3368 oh they do. Oil change as minimum or that engine would have been toast. Every 10k km means every other week it's an oil change time😂
It's the crazy ignorant first world people who think cars don't need service. Your Vietnamese driver's livelihood depends on the vehicle. You bet it is serviced.
@@TsLeng oil change is 10 min job, but what oil does he use? long mileage or cheap one🤔
@@vipvip-tf9rw dunno man... It's a Toyota. They don't normally have a long service interval. Just a normal or severe use interval.
Some people still do oil change eVery 5k km
So good to have a mechanic explain the common issues and reliability of the vehicles... Virtually no other reviewers do this which is a sin IMHO. Great Work 👍
Cheers Brian!
"Bisexual cuppy hold because it opens both ways" 😂😂 hilarious 4:38
Australia was so late to the used import party.
Here in New Zealand we've been enjoying these JDM vehicles since the early nineties.
I own and daily drive a 2018 Alphard and absolutely zero issues. Immensely happy with it. Once you drive one of these for a few weeks, there is no going back to SUV's.
Although after seeing the all-electric 2023 Zeekr 009, a whole new level beyong the Alphard, with torque, hp and performance of a sports car, I'm ready to upgrade.
i live in Singapore and i’m a owner of an AGH30 Year 2022 Alphard Hybrid, I can tell you that once you sat in one of these, its really hard to find another car that provides this amount of luxury, space and comfort.
I drove this all the way from Singapore to Bangkok 1900km and my passengers were sound asleep thru out the journey. Imagine sitting in the second row for long journeys. Its like business class on wheels.
Yeah.. I totally agree, me too
When i test drove one, my friend’s Alphard, i traded my 2018 Range rover in for it, that’s genuinely how impressed i was with the quality and comfort! It’s true that this car is captivating to the max
A popular choice amongst the wealthy here in Malaysia, you can't go a day without seeing one here. Slap a modelista bodykit on it and it'll look sick. Btw check out the Executive lounge and royal lounge spec too.
Can't tell the difference technically with its brother the Alphard. But the equivalent spec of the alphard to this vellfire(ZG) is the Alphard (SC)
That is the Vellfire, not the Alphard and the later comes in different trim level. Being actually wealthy is required for the higher trim level. I could import a 2018 for 30 grand and that is the price of an average new car in Europe. 🤔
Ours have laminated bamboo flooring with a privacy partition.
We once got stuck for three days at a port since the ferry couldn’t cross due to a storm and it made the ordeal pretty bearable.
For three days we basically camped out in it, netflix, big tv on, wifi, portable induction cooker and 24 hour air conditioning it only consumed I think less than half the tank of gasoline due to the hybrid system.
If I was super rich I'd pump some spare money into this channel just because of how useful and informative it is.
That’s very very kind. Cheers!
Yeh same here, except we just spent all our money on an Alphard thanks to this video.
Well said
I used to laugh at why people would want a car like this, unless you have a driver. Then I have 2 kids and I bought one because I need the space. Best decision ever. It’s super comfortable, reasonable power, reasonable fuel cons, kids love them. If you’re a dad or a mom, test drive these, you won’t look back.
You found out they come in different trim level and the Royal Lounge is completely unnecessary for 99% of the buyers. 👍
I have a 4yr 2yr and newborn. Was looking at getting another q7 but I've been drawn to these now.
@@yeahmateyeahgive it a test drive, with the kids, you will love it 😁
One of the favourites in Thailand. Heaps of Alphards and Vellfires on the road there
We recently got our second Estima (Alphard's little brother, sometimes called a "Tarago on steroids"). We had a CX8 through work which I really loved driving but on longer trips it was a little pokey for a family of 5 plus luggage (we tend to put one kid in third row as they fight lol). First time was the 2.4 which was solid, if a bit breathless. This one is the same 3.5 that is in the Alphard, it's excellent. The grey imports are just incredible honestly. Great review AK
As the previous owner of a 2008 alphard (basically a vellfire with a different front end) my family have done 280,000km on that car before we sold it, and my brother has been begging us to buy another one because it is so comfortable, especially in the middle row. And it’s so well built, the fact that we did 280,000km without any major issues says quite a lot on its own
But my dad ended up buying a BMW 5 series for me.
@@tooltime9260 nah, in my country the asshole drivers are pickup truck drivers and tuk tuk drivers. And the reason I got a BMW instead of an E class is because an E class is driven by middle aged men not someone in their 20’s.
I live in Japan and have an Alphard. When I first got it, I thought it would be a bit intimidating and difficult to maneuver in Tokyo, but after driving it around a bit, it actually is very easy to drive. I now find sedans much harder to drive due to the limited all-round visibility compared to the Alphard.
I'd say it has one of the best driving position exist for a car, especially for long distances 500-700 km a day trip felt like a breeze
How am I just only finding this channel???? Absolutely enjoyable (humourous as heck 😂) to watch and very informative!
Thank so so much, and welcome, grab a seat, get comfy and (hopefully) enjoy. - AK
You guys in Australia are so lucky you can get used cars straight from Japan and have the steering wheel on the side that all the other cars have them!
yea..... luck.
i have vellfire. my family love riding this car. they say so comfortable than other car that i have which is merc glc, bmw 330e. basically this car is the best bang for family. even driving alone also comfortable. but the car is really big and quite a challenges to park at a small basement carpark. but its still easy to drive.
In Singapore, the top 1% buys a Lambo and a Vellfire. One to show off, one for comfort. It cost half a million to get a Vellfire here in SG, the same amount to get a house.
Also note, in Australia you can only get the Alphard / Vellfire as the Hybrid model (unless you purchase a wheelchair accessible model) under new grey import legislation which came into effect this year. So the ICE models cannot be imported into Australia with very few exceptions.
Well that's unfortunate. The V6 variant is superb. I've driven a mate's one (in Malaysia) and it pulls amazingly well for what it is. The ride quality isn't amazing though given it's price. Can be quite jittery in the rear and soundproofing is mediocre at best
Are you sure? Gray importers are still
Selling the v6
You’re very wrong , my local importer get many v6 model alphard
@@haoxuee your importer imported it under the old legislation which is still running mate. Call up ROVER Australia and you'll see what models can be imported with the new laws
The hybrid is probably the better long term option anyway
Great stuff again guys - have been waiting for someone to do a video on one of these in Aus since I saw them in Japan in 2016. Fully agree they’re ahead of any SUV manufacturer. Only thing that put me off was the language in the infotainment and dash, but nice to know they can be updated in the 2017+ variants!
Excellent review !
Best review on the Alphard/Vellfire series for sure !
.......and yes, I am a Toyota fanboy !
Our allowed the public to import used & new vehicles since 1995. Each individual can import a personal vehicle every four years.
There are a lot of dealers, and of course there were some sketchy ones. There have been horror stories by clients.
More than 50% of our cars are grey imports.
I imported cars from 2006 until 2021 on an individual basis. I get exactly the vehicle you wanted, and deliver it, ready-to-drive at your door.
The Vellfire is an exceptional vehicle. Because it is expensive, there are very few in our country.
Toyota is recognized here for reliability and excellent suspension. My car ( Corolla Fielder wagon) is 20 years old and still has the original front shocks !
I think that the rear seats of the Vellfire you reviewed can be folded, swung upward and hung, to make more cargo space.
Yes, it will wipe the floor with the competition !
Thanks again.
Trinidad & Tobago.
West Indies.
People in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore etc. discovered the Alphard as a luxurious status symbol 20 years ago, it's basically a private jet on land, I'm surprised the rest of the world have not caught up to it yet. In Hong Kong for example, you see Alphard everywhere, with a driver in it, waiting, sleeping, playing on their iPhone, parked on the side of the road in a business district, which means their rich and important boss is having a meeting in one of the tall skyscrapers or having dinner in a Michelin restaurant nearby, and they are just waiting for their boss, hence the Alphard is absolutely a status symbol here in Asia.
It's basically a Rolls Royce at tenth of the price but with twice the head room.
You've missed another critical point.. You can't lie flat to sleep, even in a Rolls Royce Cullinan. But with an Alphard/Vellfire, you can.
Very popular in Jakarta. Status symbol for the haves. And a chauffeur is a must.
Owned 2015 2.5 non hybrid and clocked more than 100k km.
No major problems.
Things that repaired/replaced:
-aircond controller (that adjust temp) for driver side.
-some part that resembles gears and connected to camshaft or something. If it failed, can starve the engine of lubricant, causing overheat.
Changed after passed 100k km mileage. Preventive maintenance.
-oil change every 8-10k km (fully synthetic)
-gearbox fluid (CVTF) every 20k km
Very good workhorse. Can maintain rev at 4-5k rpm for hours and still no problem or overheating.
Not for driver, seat not as comfortable as european mpv, handling just ok.
Passengers will love it most.
Explained why lots of owners employ drivers and seated at the back.
We’ve sold a ton of these in Hong Kong over the years and still do, used and new. Huge waiting lists for the new 40 model. Quite a few appearing in the UK now as HK’ers who’ve moved over bring their cars with them. We’ve imported a lot into the UK. It’s a tried and tested car, capable of huge mileages and relatively easy servicing except for the getting to the rear head/cam cover on the V6 models.
My dad has the 1st one, 3.0 V6, 25+ years old, still runs great, almost everyone in Malaysia has one of different generations or knows somebody that has one.
I rented one and drove around Fuji area from tokyo.
Its just great~!
I live in Japan and just ordered the 2025 Alphard Executive Lounge. Peep that model. Incredible luxury. Can't wait to get mine. ❤
Alphard/vellfire are pound for pound the best toyotas ever made.
No regrets for finding out about this channel. Very good analysis ❤
I've loved it.
Glad you enjoy it!
Drive around the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and you'll quickly realise they are in fact VERY popular. Every 2nd or 3rd car on the road (especially out the front of private schools) is an Alphard/Vellfire.
yea they sell a ton of these around the Box Hill area where quite alot of wealthy Asians love.
Indonesian here... Alphard/Vellfire or even Lexus one (LM series), is a statement of prosperity. you can't call yourself a boss if you're not stepping out from one of these trio. And no one here cares enough about the first row (driver side), cause no one here buys Alphard/vellfire to drive, all about the 2nd row. And about the front facade, a wise man once told me the richer you are, the flashier your car. the pre-facelift and Lexus model even have huge humongous flashy silver grill
I have the 2009 model here in NZ , nil issues since I bought it 3 years ago and have clocked 50,000k . Awesome to drive .
Love the video and would always prefer a minivan for space and comfort, just that the wife doesn’t prefer the looks.
The voice over was so realistic!👍🏼😁
Buy it as a surprise before she gets home 😄
@@richiesworld1 She’s always at home 😅 full-time mom 😅
@@wilydimayuga519 nooooooo!
Cant get past the front facade. Looks like a transformer who couldnt quite transform into a people mover. Got to admit, interior is the bomb!! Gr8 review as always🎉
here in malaysia there were so many of them even voxy the mini model of alphard and velfire. my family just bought 2019 velfire v6 executive lounge model
excellent video! keep it up and more on grey imports please 🔥🔥🔥
*It’s sell for US$100k brandnew in Indonesia. Owned the previous generation and the current gen… Very luxury car…*
when i visit japan almost all the ubers are these vans, the ride and room in them is fantastic!! and the gps system is insanley accurate
love your car reviews. We've got a 2011 Vellfire. It's amazingly practical and comfortable. And being a older model it's such value for money. Great content in your channel.
Ayy shoutout to go garage!
Great import service and the people there are the best!
My cousin in japan has the Velfire, it was honestly quite astonishing how little sound was transmitted from the outside to the inside.
And the space inside/leg room was just astronomical.
My OTHER cousin in japan has the Alphard, it amused me as it seems like they would get into a comparison battle between the 2 Vans.
Test drove one of these but older, 2005ish, and rented the Mercedes people mover which was a few years old and low mileage. The alphard was head and shoulders above in terms luxury and comfort and the Merc already has some serious issues
euro cars☕
Some are the best. Some are trash. The trash gets marketed as the best though @@theuncalled_64
The epitome of success in Indonesia. Very very popular car here in Indonesia, people said, you aren't rich if you don't have a toyota alphard. Even our president often seen in one of those.
Here in Malaysia, and likely wherever else in Asia they're popular, Alphards and Vellfire aren't driven by their owners.
These are the cars of choice for business tycoons, celebrities and politicians. You pay someone to drive you around.
These are now very common in the north shore and northern suburbs in Sydney - areas with large Chinese populations.
You’re the bomb!! Thank you so such a concise and thorough review. We are so excited to purchase one.
Travel in them often in Singapore as a Grab Taxi. The Executive models are fantastic. The smaller Noah is also a great ride.
Seen this van in KL...man this things bloody nice 👍👍
On whether this car will make you feel like “you’ve given up on your hope and dreams”, here in Southeast Asia, the Alphard is basically the CEO/ billionaire daily vehicle of choice. It has a high level of comfort and luxury yet remains very discreet from the outside, which is important because in some places you don’t want to be advertising your wealth. Many rich people may have a fleet of super luxury cars like Porsches, Lamborghinis etc but will always maintain an alphard or two for their daily commute driven around by a chauffeur. If you see an alphard on the road in many Asian countries, there is a high likelihood a wealthy individual is being driven around in it
It is a face only a Mother could love. I think Toyota used a Decepticon as inspiration. There are two versions of the captains chairs. The flash-o leather recliners you see here, and a one level down version. I HIGHLY recommend the lower level ones. They are just as comfortable and are WAY more practical. They fold for cargo hauling or can be made into a bed.
The post 2015 's are stunning!
Great video! We bought one earlier this year, we just love it!
I love it! Foreigners buy for purpose and the logic side of my brain understands that. It’s a Toyota Highlander with maxed out interior space. I drive everywhere. I need the all wheel drive. I need high under clearance, the US roads can be no different that an off road path. This is definitely a city commuter. It looks like it can be a part of a transportation business. Suggesting to your viewers to lower their van can be a disaster for where they drive their van. Very cool! I’m a Toyota fan owning 2 Toyota’s.
There are loads of these Vellfire and Alphard in Singapore and Malaysia. I'm in Singapore and cars are super expensive here so I just bought myself a normal 7-seater Honda Freed JDM and I don't think you will get that in Australia.
I have sienta, pretty good for small car, It has bare minimum, legg space is none
That's strange to hear since we import a lot of cars from Singapore and they are seemingly cheap compared to importing from Japan.
@@masonichisenga3032in early 2000 there's JDM importer in Randwick NSW that told us that he imported cars from Malaysia. Strange, because the cars that he imported quite rare in Malaysia, but not as rare as in Sydney.
The showroom just next door to Malaysia Hall Sydney
After this Video , its very convincing to buy one for a large family guy , so comfy and relaxing just loving it 🥰❤️
Large family guy, or large, family guy - I'm the latter 😂
I have owned a Alphard for 7years in the uk and I love it.
i love how you sat at the boots it really practicle to estimate the space behind there
Looks amazing! Shame europe doesn't seem to get any
you can see these alphard and vellfire everywhere in malaysia although they are expensive..
this is the best car when you have a driver driving for you , some model like the one I own called "executive lounge " comes with sun blinder on passenger window , it just gives you maximum privacy , its such an amazing underrated car .
i brought my wife a black one 2019 model supe up 8 seats chrome out
"More you pump out kids" great funny line 😅
it's always fun seeing people discovering this car for the first time meanwhile in my country you can see them everywhere
I miss the old Tarago my dad used drive as a rental for a road trip many years ago.
My customer has one 3.5 V6 AWD and I love it so much
A BIG negative missed was limited insurance options
I would absolutely buy one of these but can't because of our stupid 25 year import rule and because the US is so obsessed with SUVs and crossovers that manufacturers are afraid to sell anything else here.
just got a 2022 alphard this year, grey import. Comfort, luxury, the tech bits( radar cruise control in stop go traffic), the size. its just amazing. and did i mention its a toyota? parts and maintenance and reliability all top notch. only complain, you cant go fast. but i just love crusiing in this. just get this instead of some 7 seater suv.
You're doing the life saving work of a saint showing how much more practical vans can be over SUVs
My parents have owned the predecessor to this the Grandvia. The interior wasn't leather but had all the same features and not one hard plastic surface. It was super comfortable and with the 3L turbo diesel from the Prado it was a torquey beast
At one point the alternator died and the battery went flat while driving home but still made it home
This luxury van is pretty wild available on our street in Malaysia.. U can easily see one every few second on road😅.. Regard as a starter business people car with comfort for yourself and also family
Given up on hopes and dreams? Driving an Alphard/Vellfire is a status symbol in Indonesia because its everybody's hope and dream to own one here...
I have a Chrysler Pacifica plug in hybrid and absolutely love it so much
I remembered hearing rumors of Lexus bringing these to the USA and selling them for some ridiculous high price. I would LOVE one without all the chrome but I doubt we will ever get them here.
The third row seats in the Toyota Estima fold into the floor with a simple manual or pushbutton operation, leaving the rear floor completely flat and at least twice the load space of the Alphard/Vellfire.
Just subscribed after watching this awesome video thank you so . More love from kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪
Welcome!
Great review mate! Although will never be able to purchase one of these (Canada), so refreshing to hear your review that might have been cancelled on this side of the pond, eH? (bisexual centre cubby, going both ways).
I have this Vellfire and I loved it.
It’s everywhere in my country in Malaysia minister and upper class citizen enjoy the vellfire/ Alphard due to its reliability and comfort its know as a luxury car here in Asia
because it a luxury car it costs 100k$
Ended up trading our fgx xr8 in for a 2013 vellfire after watching this video
Great channel, You’ve got to review a Toyota/Lexus markX ZIO 350G wagon. Polarizing front end also but the comfort and drive so much nicer than an SUV.
I’m guessing you have one, I’ve been looking at one and have been humming and harring on wether to pull the trigger on it, what more can you tell me about them to convince me?
Cheers!
I was waiting for an Aussie channel to review one of these
very under rated channel
Vellfire/Alphard are becoming increasingly popular in Mongolia. Roads here are pretty rough, often we have to drive through mud, sand, or rocky roads. Alphard/Vellfire is a pretty comfortable for a family with 5 or more, it has a nickname "moving sofa".
im from Amsterdam and i absolutely love this car, the chrome is a bit much., but with a carbon wrap, and maybe some bumper + spoiler change , it can look like a real sleeper!
Don’t understand why they’re not importing them into the USA. I have seen them in Japan and always thought they looked the business. And now I see that they are!
I wanna thank you for the captivating video on the Vellfire luxury SUV van; what an attractive vehicle both inside, out! The chrome front, as you point out, is a little too flashy for me too,else top mark all round.
Perhaps the one saving grace of the Vellfire's front end is - it's not as bad as the Alphard.
Are these Toyota people movers the best people movers ever made one thing about the exterior when you are driving it you can't see the exterior but the interior is so nice as for Jims comments on this Toyota reliability plus you can't go wrong l think the interiors is so luxurious especially for the second row seats were have we seen this amount of luxury in the passenger seats in another Toyota the Century of course this people mover is on another level l have no need for a people mover but if l was in the market for one l would definitely buy one