IMAGINE HOW A VEHICLE that has been available and lauded in other countries for years, is first received when it reaches our shores after that much anticipation. It isn't hard to envision the amount of attention that it will generate. Such was the case when Lexus, Toyota's premium automotive division, first opened its doors in Manila in 2009, as well as when Toyota elected to bring the Alphard luxury van to our market just this August. Initial novelty isn't the only thing in common between these two.
The Alphard has been available to our Asian neighbors since its first-gen model was launched in 2002. The slightly revised second iteration was released in 2008 and is our current available variant. It doesn't face much competition in its segment, and what it lacks in overall size compared to the Grand Starex Limousine is compensated for in other areas.
The exterior dimensions are limited by the platform it shares with the more streamlined Previa, but the corners have been pushed out as far as practically possible. The result is a surprising amount of interior space that incorporates a plenitude of cupholders, cubbyholes, storagebins, pockets, hooks, and seven airbags--all without having to add a prosthetic roof. The "normal-sized" exterior also means the Alphard should be easy to park. With proximity sensors installed on both front and rear bumpers, plus side-view mirrors that tilt downward when reverse gear is engaged, parking the Alphard isn't easy--it's effortless.
Toyota has prioritized safety over entertainment on this entry-level variant (the 3.5-liter V6 will be launched later this year), which is why you won't find video monitors on the four active headrests that move slightly forward in the event of a collision. It also explains the number of airbags in the cabin (including a segment-unique driver-side knee airbag) and the Isofix child-seat mounting provisions on the captain seats. Don't be disappointed, though, because what the Alphard lacks in entertainment, it makes up for with some of the most advanced (i.e. expensive) technologies offered in its class.
Borrowing technology more commonly found on Lexus cars, the Alphard boasts cruise control; four-step diffused room lightning; HID headlamps with an autofocus feature that projects the light beams to follow the steering-wheel angle; Optitron gauges; and triple-zone climate control with an ionizer and Plasmacluster, which eliminate airborne odors and viruses, respectively. The once-bold line between Toyota and Lexus is starting to fade and the Alphard only stands to gain from his obscurity.
While every comfort and convenience has been included for the driver's benefit, the passengers will be the ones pampered like first-class airline travellers. Power-sliding doors open and close at the flick of the handle, revealing electronically adjustable leather captain seats that feature fold-up ottomans--perfect if you were, say, a film director and needed to clear your mind while gazing at the sky through the expansive, tinted glass sunroof. The luxurious silence inside the cabin will allow your creativity to explore new horizons as you are transported to your movie set.
Despite its heft, the Alphard is a nimble as a Camry to drive. The steering is light and lively, and the 2.4-liter gasoline engine swiftly moves the 1,980kg van off the line. The beautifully styled instrument panel includes an easy-to-read fuel-economy meter that shows the van returning 6.5km/L when driven prudently. This is respectable for a large vehicle with a very impressive standard-equipment list. For P2.79 million, the Toyota Alphard is packed to the sills with comfort, convenience and safety features. Now that it is locally available, will affluent families in the country be ready to level up to it, or has the idea of an Asian-designed and engineered luxury van finally burned itself out?
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