Popularity Drives Toyota Alphard Minivan Prices to Soaring Heights
Why is the top-of-the-line version of Toyota’s popular minivan “”Alphard”” so expensive? What is the difference from the base grade that costs more than 4 million yen?
The luxury car “Alphard” can be bought from 3.5 million yen!
Toyota’s three-row minivan “Alphard” is a popular model known as a luxury minivan used by VIPs such as politicians and entertainers.The highest grade costs 7,752,000 yen including consumption tax, but the base grade can be purchased from 3,597,000 yen.I see, “”Too gorgeous! See 18 photos of the luxurious “”Alphard”” with a price tag of nearly 8 million yen .The luxury minivan favored by VIPs from the worlds of politics and business as well as celebrities! Toyota “”Alphard””.The first-generation Alphard was born in 2002. The current model is the third generation, which was introduced in January 2015.
In addition to the 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine model, a 3.5-liter V6 engine model and a 2.5-liter hybrid model are available.Of these, the hybrid model is exclusively 4WD (E-Four), while the 2.5-liter and 3.5-liter models are available in FF and 4WD.This, combined with a diverse grade lineup with different equipment and specifications, is a major factor in the price difference of more than 4 million yen, as mentioned above.
As of early January 2023, there are a total of 14 types of Alphard grades available in Toyota’s catalog.Of these, there are four types for 2.5-liter models, four types for 3.5-liter models, and six types for hybrids.In addition, gasoline models are available in 2WD and 4WD, and some grades are available in 7- or 8-passenger versions, while others are available as special needs vehicles with side lift-up tilt seats, making it difficult to choose just one vehicle from the catalog list.However, exterior differences can be divided into two types: standard body and aero body with modest aero parts.he cheapest model, priced at 3,597,000 yen, is an 8-seat FWD model.The hybrid model is also available in a 7-seat version, priced at 4,656,000 yen.Incidentally, the lowest-priced aero body model is the “”S”” 8-seat FWD specification at 3,941,000 yen, and the same 7-seat specification at 3,985,000 yen. In terms of equipment and specifications alone, it is similar to the standard-body X. The most expensive model, on the other hand, is the Aero body, which costs 3,941,000 yen.
On the other hand, the most expensive model is the Executive Lounge S (Executive Lounge S) with an aero body.he hybrid model is priced at 7,752,000 yen, and a 3.5-liter model is also available, with the FF version priced at 7,442,000 yen and the 4WD version at 7,619,000 yen.There is also a standard body version, the Executive Lounge, with prices ranging from 7,269,000 yen to 7,599,000 yen.The biggest difference between the lowest-priced X/S and the highest-priced Executive Lounge/Executive Lounge S is in the interior.There are some differences, such as more luxurious metal and wood-grain panels decorated in detail on the interior and exterior, but even more significant is the specification of the second-row seat (second seat).
The most basic 8-seat model has a “”6:4 split tip-up”” second row seat that seats three.In contrast, the X/S 7-seat version is equipped with a “”Relaxed Captain’s Seat”” that seats two with an ottoman on either side.By themselves, these seats are luxurious enough, but the second seats in the Executive Lounge and Executive Lounge S are upgraded to the far more luxurious “”Executive Lounge Seats””.The ottoman and seat controls are electrically operated, and the left and right armrests are larger. The seats are made of premium nappa genuine leather, which is characterized by its high quality feel, and the comfort of the seats has also been greatly improved, all of which are clearly differentiated.On the other hand, if you dress up the Alphard with aero parts, wheels, and other customized parts, the base grade is not too much, and you will not notice such a big difference in appearance.
A Toyota dealership in the Tokyo metropolitan area told us the following about the Alphard’s customers.Recently, more and more young customers in their 20s and 30s are buying the Alphard.They particularly like the 2.5-liter model, which has a luxurious feel and good looks, but is available at a price that is the same as the higher grade of Noah/Voxy.However, the “”Executive Lounge”” emblem casually displayed on the tailgate is the biggest difference in appearance that “”people who know”” can recognize.Alphard used to have a special model called “”Royal Lounge,”” which was more expensive than the Executive Lounge and Executive Lounge S models.
It was produced by Toyota Customizing & Development, a company that manufactures customized Toyota models, and is characterized by its ultra-luxurious four-passenger specification.Two exclusive VIP seats, larger than the executive lounge, are set in the rear. In addition to a large display and sound system, it is equipped with a cabinet with a refrigerator.In addition, a partition between the front seats can be selected (standard equipment for the last model), and the price for the last model was over 15 million yen.
The Alphard Royal Lounge is such an ultra-luxury version, but production ended at the end of 2019. It is hoped that it will be revived.