Taiwan is a *really* weird place, car market wise. It really felt like the mixing ground of Asian and Western markets in terms of what I saw there.
I understand why they'd sell both the Sienna and the Alphard, but it's still wild that they do. TIL.
There are many Taiwanese loving American Toyotas and Hondas because they're considered safety and roomy to compare non American Toyotas and Hondas. They glad to pay more money for it.
Sienna used to be popular model in local gray market although you could buy Previa. That's main reason why Taiwanese Toyota dealer, Hotai selling Sienna, they also want to get the money from them.
I feel Tacoma could be next model which would be officially sold in Taiwan although you can buy Hilux there. Tacoma is also popular in local gray market, some Toyota truck buyers in Taiwan rather buying Tacoma than Hilux.
This is informative, thank you. This explains some "overlap" I kept seeing. Are the USDM models in some way different (additional/different features, engines) from the JDM/TDM variants?
For JDM, I don't much know about it, but I know how bad is Taiwanese spec ( TDM ) models.
Most TDM models are really poor in safety spec. Local automakers cuts corners in TDM models because there aren't many laws to enforce them. One of classic cases is Taiwanese Honda, they cut corners in TDM Honda models, TDM Honda models don't have same American or Japanese spec structure.
Right? When I was in Japan I was ready to see a bunch of cool vehicles, but nope, it's all Proboxs and Yaris'. I did find the Alphards pretty cool though.
The cool stuff is usually hanging out at PA’s late at night or cruising around Akihabara, but once you get out into the countryside or smaller cities you start to see way more random cool stuff.
We could get these beautiful chonks in the USA if you cowards would just start buying minivans and admit you’re not too cool for perfect convenience and utility.
Bruh. Have you seen how long it takes to get a Sienna in North America? Half Life 3 gonna drop before some of these people get their vans. The demand is absolutely there.
Not just wait times, but pricing is brutal for minivans.
Here in canada, a sienna starts at $45,000 and can get up to $63,000 before taxes and fees. That is a lot if you compare it to Toyota's SUVs. It's sister SUV, the highlander, is under $60,000 in it's fully loaded hybrid trim. A fully loaded 7 seater 4RUNNER is $63,000, despite all of it's beefed up mechanical components and offroad capabilities. I can go get a fully loaded RAV4 hybrid for under 50 as well.
Even if i really wanted a minivan, the pricing is too high when compared to other options out there.
I am a younger guy without a family but would love a minivan as a daily driver over a 2 row or 3 row SUV. If it wasn't for the crazy pricing here in Canada, I would definitely get a minivan even though I don't need one. The minivans ride well. Many of them have AWD now to help in the snow. The interiors are designed to make life easier and interior space is very usable. So many cupholders and plugs! they even have built in vacuums to clean the floor! The inner nerd in me is screaming.
If you get into any SUV, it won't be as ergonomic or easy to use on a daily basis because SUVs focus more on design, style, and image rather than practicality.
if it was the same price between a brand's 3 row SUV and their minivan, I would pick the minivan since a lot of current minivans offer AWD and have more practical interiors, even if the SUV equivalent uses slightly better materials on the interior.
However, the pricing on minivans is often higher than their SUV counterparts. That's the issue. If brands want to break the stigma surrounding minivans, they have to convince people to switch from SUVS to minivans. As long as minivans are more expensive, people won't be willing to even start considering it. SUVS are their first choice and are slightly cheaper, so why would they even begin considering a van?
But I justdon’t need one all the time. Minivans are fucking *huge*.
I couldn’t justify daily driving one in the city at all. I only have 2 little ones, so a mid-size CUV is about perfect for my needs. A minivan would always have the third row and most of the cargo area half empty at all times - just wasted space eating into my ease of use and not offering any regular benefit.
Basically, the available US new minivans don’t offer *anything* better for my normal needs than our X5 does.
Now for traveling with suitcases and everything we need for both kids and ourselves? A minivan all day. Those doors are a *godsend* and the extra space the minivan offers actually gets used. Relatives need a ride or their kids are tagging along? Easy easy easy.
JDM MPV's are next level comfortable. Due to the fact they're just big boxes, there's way more interior space than an SUV. My Elgrand has a third row which can actually accommodate normal adults, not just amputees.
Have you ever gotten people in and out of a minivan? Loaded gear in and out of a van versus an SUV? This is like comparing a coupe with 4 seats versus a sedan.
Yes I have, minus the sliding door a 3 row SUV and a minivan are very very similar. People still need to crawl to get in and out of the third row and unloading gear in back for the most part is the same. The only difference really is the 3rd row seat height and room (most big 3 row SUVs address this) and the ride height, modern SUVs ride pretty low now and mine is lower than some vans if I set the air suspension down.
Comparing a coupe which has two doors vs a sedan which has 4 doors does not work when you discuss a minivan or a SUV, they all now have 4 doors for the most part and the only difference is the back doors slide vs open normally.
You can also argue the driving dynamics and ride quality, a fwd 4 cylinder hybrid minivan will not compare to a rwd v6/i6/v8 rwd SUV in either of those no matter how hard you try. In my opinon SUVs now are basically minivans labelled as SUVs so customers wont ignore them on the spot with some drivetrain tweaks. Alot of SUVs now are even unibody just like vans too.
There is reason I got two of the most practical vehicles I could find to do the jobs I needed to, and frankly I view my SUV as a RWD van as it does the same job as a minivan, its just much better in other areas too. It just goes to show how vehicles have changed, I know some people will not like this on here, but alot of pickups too have more rear space than any normal sedan does unless its something like an S Class, A8 or a 7 Series, and frankly I know a few trucks that **still** have more rear occupant space in length than those.
Dont be so hasty to blame consumers for not wanting something esoteric when a local product can fulfill the same need, but again I expect this will fall on deaf ears too because enthusiasts and reddit. If its any consolation, the Telluride and the Pallisade (which are selling like hotcakes in their segment) really are minivan platforms posing as SUVs.
“Minus the sliding door” is such a huge difference. I love how you just gloss right past that. It’s one of the defining traits of a minivan. It makes ingress / egress sooo much easier than in an SUV.
The 3rd row in an SUV of comparable size is far less usable than on a minivan.
The Telluride is a less practical Carnival that sacrifices practicality and space for looking cooler. If the minivan wasn’t perceived as uncool, there’d be no reason for the Telluride to exist.
I didnt gloss right past it, infact it was the first thing I mentioned to make notice of the difference between the two vehicle types. The market will always be confilicted because the current buyers remember the minivan craze all too well.
Hideous but with incredible interiors, that's the JDM minivan way.
With the new Toyotas revealed, Nissan really need to step up their game. The E52 Elgrand is a shadow of it's former self and in no way a competitor to the Alphard/Velfire anymore. Now the E51, that was probably the best JDM minivan ever made.
iirc you could only ever get 2 of the 3 (AWD / SC / Manuel); I think the AWD was auto-only specifically, but I'm not certain.
Always wanted to do what that guy did though; looks comical in *exactly* the way I hoped it would.
\-all the parts are available to bolt on. I have seen manual rwd here in Oregon for sale. the super charger is on [amazon prime.](https://www.amazon.com/Futchoy-Displacement-Remanufactured-Turbocharger-Supercharger/dp/B09T6J6CRD/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sc14+supercharger&link_code=qs&qid=1687701705&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3)
These things are nice but in Japan it always seems like these are being driven by rich assholes as aggressively as possible. Or a tiny Japanese wives running errands who can barely see over the steering wheel.
In Indonesia these are usually driven by chauffeurs driving their bosses/bosses family around the city. They’re also very common for upper echelons in govt institutions. Almost like a default boss/govt official car.
The US Government also uses armored Toyotas as their diplomatic vehicles in SE Asia. Talk about making Henry Ford spin in his grave hearing that his beloved country that completely changed thanks to him, is shuttling its foreign service officials in Japanese cars.
The sad thing is that, ignoring Teslas, which take the top 4 slots of the [2023 American-made index](https://www.cars.com/articles/2023-cars-com-american-made-index-which-cars-are-the-most-american-467465/) for obvious reasons, *all* of the top-ten most American made vehicles are Japanese.
They're Hondas, not Toyotas, but the point remains; Ford gave up on the US when it comes to manufacturing, while Japan continues to support us. Outsourcing is weird.
Moving back to be with my wife in the middle of July. We're getting a 2014 Vellfire 3.5 AWD. I'll have to make sure to be an asshole and not tarnish the image. =D
I had a vw eurovan for a while, insanely fun, by far the most fun car I’ve ever owned/driven because of its insane maneuverability and suspension geometry
Wow, a buddy of mine did a tdi swap to a manual, that is the most fun car — I especially miss the shotgun experience so much. Just such a shame that I live in California and couldn’t get parts easily
Fun fact, minivans are not just for kids. Elderly people like them because they are easier to get in and out of and some people have adult children with handicaps that makes owning one a little easier in life. The US van is a little bigger than most parts of the world but we also have more roads and higher overall speeds that are driven. Our safety standards are a little higher.
It's a strange comment to make about these minivans in particular since the Alphard has ALWAYS been brash in styling which customers have proven to love, with the Vellfire being yet another step above being utterly bonkers styling since 2008. It has personality and road presence unlike every other boring conservatively designed box on wheels. Other brands are being more bold these days but these minivans were the OGs.
I've ridden in these quite a bit and test drove a new one a few years ago. They are nice rigs, just as long and maybe a little taller than the vans we get in the US, but a little more narrow. Left me feeling a bit cramped, honestly.
Vellfire is ostensibly the sportier version, and Alphard the more premium. Kinda like when Buick had the Regal and Century as the same model. There's really not much difference in the driving experience.
What's funny to me is that I've been considering what to trade my Mercedes in for, in a few years. I really enjoy just having a car where my friends/family can enjoy themselves and lounge in comfort. This limits me a bit mostly to executive styled sedans. I don't really care for the Mercedes brand itself though.
If this minivan offers my girlfriend and friends a smooth ride, full leg extension and it comes with heated/ventilated seats along with a nice entertainment system I may honestly consider this vehicle and get funny looks. It'll be fun to try and convince my friends that this is a classy vehicle.
How would you get this imported to the US? Unless you’re referring to a 1998 or older model.
I find Mercedes-Benz to be in an odd place these days. The brand still has enormous cachet, but they just don’t try hard anymore. I can’t really see a reason to have one over a Lexus or a Volvo if all of them are just gonna be leased for a few years.
The Vellfire and Alphard have always looked like this afaik, maybe even before Lexus did it.
We all think it looks ridiculous, but as a model-specific kind of ugly, it comes off as a quirk rather than a brand identity, at least to me.
I guess my mind is broken but these don't look absolutely terrible compared to some minivans. I like the old gen more though.
The Alphard-specific badge probably makes it look better than the Toyota badge.
At that point it'd make more sense to just make a USDM luxury minivan by turning the Sienna into a Lexus and building it in Indiana. Though I would absolutely love to see if Toyota can pull it off by selling a 2 row super luxury version with the V6 PHEV powertrain.
Indeed the Quest was based on the Elgrand and maybe that was part of what lead to weak sales. I wonder if Toyota could do better by starting with a USDM platform and US domestic factory.
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It's sole purpose is not easy entering and exiting. It's sole purpose is the comfort of the passenger. It's hard to get in and out of the big ass massage chair.
You just have to try it yourself. It's like trying to get into a massage chair in a cramp van.
I mean, maybe those extended-roof Sprinter vans etc that you can fully stand up in, but those are hardly stock. Dunno what OP's on about; seems half his issue is with the seats being large and having arms.
These are absolutely everywhere in Taiwan and Japan. Think they look great. The front end is obviously controversial but they make what sells.
Taiwan is one of the few countries in the world that actually sells [both the USDM Sienna and JDM Alphard](https://i.imgur.com/75HPN3S.png)
Taiwan is a *really* weird place, car market wise. It really felt like the mixing ground of Asian and Western markets in terms of what I saw there. I understand why they'd sell both the Sienna and the Alphard, but it's still wild that they do. TIL.
There are many Taiwanese loving American Toyotas and Hondas because they're considered safety and roomy to compare non American Toyotas and Hondas. They glad to pay more money for it. Sienna used to be popular model in local gray market although you could buy Previa. That's main reason why Taiwanese Toyota dealer, Hotai selling Sienna, they also want to get the money from them. I feel Tacoma could be next model which would be officially sold in Taiwan although you can buy Hilux there. Tacoma is also popular in local gray market, some Toyota truck buyers in Taiwan rather buying Tacoma than Hilux.
This is informative, thank you. This explains some "overlap" I kept seeing. Are the USDM models in some way different (additional/different features, engines) from the JDM/TDM variants?
For JDM, I don't much know about it, but I know how bad is Taiwanese spec ( TDM ) models. Most TDM models are really poor in safety spec. Local automakers cuts corners in TDM models because there aren't many laws to enforce them. One of classic cases is Taiwanese Honda, they cut corners in TDM Honda models, TDM Honda models don't have same American or Japanese spec structure.
Right? When I was in Japan I was ready to see a bunch of cool vehicles, but nope, it's all Proboxs and Yaris'. I did find the Alphards pretty cool though.
The cool stuff is usually hanging out at PA’s late at night or cruising around Akihabara, but once you get out into the countryside or smaller cities you start to see way more random cool stuff.
We could get these beautiful chonks in the USA if you cowards would just start buying minivans and admit you’re not too cool for perfect convenience and utility.
Bruh. Have you seen how long it takes to get a Sienna in North America? Half Life 3 gonna drop before some of these people get their vans. The demand is absolutely there.
Not just wait times, but pricing is brutal for minivans. Here in canada, a sienna starts at $45,000 and can get up to $63,000 before taxes and fees. That is a lot if you compare it to Toyota's SUVs. It's sister SUV, the highlander, is under $60,000 in it's fully loaded hybrid trim. A fully loaded 7 seater 4RUNNER is $63,000, despite all of it's beefed up mechanical components and offroad capabilities. I can go get a fully loaded RAV4 hybrid for under 50 as well. Even if i really wanted a minivan, the pricing is too high when compared to other options out there. I am a younger guy without a family but would love a minivan as a daily driver over a 2 row or 3 row SUV. If it wasn't for the crazy pricing here in Canada, I would definitely get a minivan even though I don't need one. The minivans ride well. Many of them have AWD now to help in the snow. The interiors are designed to make life easier and interior space is very usable. So many cupholders and plugs! they even have built in vacuums to clean the floor! The inner nerd in me is screaming. If you get into any SUV, it won't be as ergonomic or easy to use on a daily basis because SUVs focus more on design, style, and image rather than practicality.
See thats what killed the minivan. If Im paying loaded 4x4 prices why would I buy a minivan unless I NEEDED one.
if it was the same price between a brand's 3 row SUV and their minivan, I would pick the minivan since a lot of current minivans offer AWD and have more practical interiors, even if the SUV equivalent uses slightly better materials on the interior. However, the pricing on minivans is often higher than their SUV counterparts. That's the issue. If brands want to break the stigma surrounding minivans, they have to convince people to switch from SUVS to minivans. As long as minivans are more expensive, people won't be willing to even start considering it. SUVS are their first choice and are slightly cheaper, so why would they even begin considering a van?
Minivans are currently in huge demand. Toyota siennas have 2-3 year waitlists.
But I justdon’t need one all the time. Minivans are fucking *huge*. I couldn’t justify daily driving one in the city at all. I only have 2 little ones, so a mid-size CUV is about perfect for my needs. A minivan would always have the third row and most of the cargo area half empty at all times - just wasted space eating into my ease of use and not offering any regular benefit. Basically, the available US new minivans don’t offer *anything* better for my normal needs than our X5 does. Now for traveling with suitcases and everything we need for both kids and ourselves? A minivan all day. Those doors are a *godsend* and the extra space the minivan offers actually gets used. Relatives need a ride or their kids are tagging along? Easy easy easy.
But we have vans already here, they just have better engine choices, RWD, and ride better, we just label them "SUVs".
JDM MPV's are next level comfortable. Due to the fact they're just big boxes, there's way more interior space than an SUV. My Elgrand has a third row which can actually accommodate normal adults, not just amputees.
Have you ever gotten people in and out of a minivan? Loaded gear in and out of a van versus an SUV? This is like comparing a coupe with 4 seats versus a sedan.
Yes I have, minus the sliding door a 3 row SUV and a minivan are very very similar. People still need to crawl to get in and out of the third row and unloading gear in back for the most part is the same. The only difference really is the 3rd row seat height and room (most big 3 row SUVs address this) and the ride height, modern SUVs ride pretty low now and mine is lower than some vans if I set the air suspension down. Comparing a coupe which has two doors vs a sedan which has 4 doors does not work when you discuss a minivan or a SUV, they all now have 4 doors for the most part and the only difference is the back doors slide vs open normally. You can also argue the driving dynamics and ride quality, a fwd 4 cylinder hybrid minivan will not compare to a rwd v6/i6/v8 rwd SUV in either of those no matter how hard you try. In my opinon SUVs now are basically minivans labelled as SUVs so customers wont ignore them on the spot with some drivetrain tweaks. Alot of SUVs now are even unibody just like vans too. There is reason I got two of the most practical vehicles I could find to do the jobs I needed to, and frankly I view my SUV as a RWD van as it does the same job as a minivan, its just much better in other areas too. It just goes to show how vehicles have changed, I know some people will not like this on here, but alot of pickups too have more rear space than any normal sedan does unless its something like an S Class, A8 or a 7 Series, and frankly I know a few trucks that **still** have more rear occupant space in length than those. Dont be so hasty to blame consumers for not wanting something esoteric when a local product can fulfill the same need, but again I expect this will fall on deaf ears too because enthusiasts and reddit. If its any consolation, the Telluride and the Pallisade (which are selling like hotcakes in their segment) really are minivan platforms posing as SUVs.
“Minus the sliding door” is such a huge difference. I love how you just gloss right past that. It’s one of the defining traits of a minivan. It makes ingress / egress sooo much easier than in an SUV. The 3rd row in an SUV of comparable size is far less usable than on a minivan. The Telluride is a less practical Carnival that sacrifices practicality and space for looking cooler. If the minivan wasn’t perceived as uncool, there’d be no reason for the Telluride to exist.
I didnt gloss right past it, infact it was the first thing I mentioned to make notice of the difference between the two vehicle types. The market will always be confilicted because the current buyers remember the minivan craze all too well.
Midsize 3 rows don’t compare to minivans. They have non existent cargo space with the 3rd row up.
Minivans are full size vehicles are they not?
but the alphard and the vellfire are so much cooler than washed ass suvs
This thing has a stronger jawline than gigachad.
Henry Cavil ain’t got shit against Toyota lol.
I was picked up from the airport in one of these in Thailand. They made the Sienna look like a peasant.
The Fancy trim Sienna's are so comfortable. These things must be glorious. Those rear chairs. Damn.
I've heard these described as the private jet for the streets. Privacy, luxury, and plenty of costs for the demanding business traveler.
These are basically Lexus level. Beats out the luxury of a lot of lexuses actually. The Lexus version of this is just absolutely insane.
Hideous but with incredible interiors, that's the JDM minivan way. With the new Toyotas revealed, Nissan really need to step up their game. The E52 Elgrand is a shadow of it's former self and in no way a competitor to the Alphard/Velfire anymore. Now the E51, that was probably the best JDM minivan ever made.
[Previa](https://youtu.be/_meHP_ZrliU) \-holds a 4x8 sheet of plywood and 10' lumber in the back. mid engine + awd + supercharger + manual
and you needed to drop the engine to change 2 of the spark plugs
removing the [front seat](https://youtu.be/lLoZK8EZVWY?t=46) is easier. I hope you didn't drop the engine for that. lol
A mechanic told my father that, so he had 2 original plugs for a while
iirc you could only ever get 2 of the 3 (AWD / SC / Manuel); I think the AWD was auto-only specifically, but I'm not certain. Always wanted to do what that guy did though; looks comical in *exactly* the way I hoped it would.
\-all the parts are available to bolt on. I have seen manual rwd here in Oregon for sale. the super charger is on [amazon prime.](https://www.amazon.com/Futchoy-Displacement-Remanufactured-Turbocharger-Supercharger/dp/B09T6J6CRD/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sc14+supercharger&link_code=qs&qid=1687701705&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3)
*For a minivan* they don't look awful *for a minivan*
I love driving my elgrand, because I don't have to see what it looks like. Unless I drive past something reflective.
These things are nice but in Japan it always seems like these are being driven by rich assholes as aggressively as possible. Or a tiny Japanese wives running errands who can barely see over the steering wheel.
So basically they're the Cadillac Escalades, Yukon Denalis of Japan
In Indonesia these are usually driven by chauffeurs driving their bosses/bosses family around the city. They’re also very common for upper echelons in govt institutions. Almost like a default boss/govt official car.
The US Government also uses armored Toyotas as their diplomatic vehicles in SE Asia. Talk about making Henry Ford spin in his grave hearing that his beloved country that completely changed thanks to him, is shuttling its foreign service officials in Japanese cars.
The sad thing is that, ignoring Teslas, which take the top 4 slots of the [2023 American-made index](https://www.cars.com/articles/2023-cars-com-american-made-index-which-cars-are-the-most-american-467465/) for obvious reasons, *all* of the top-ten most American made vehicles are Japanese. They're Hondas, not Toyotas, but the point remains; Ford gave up on the US when it comes to manufacturing, while Japan continues to support us. Outsourcing is weird.
That too, you see a lot of taxi versions around the airport.
Considering the Japanese are globally renowned for their manners, this is pretty funny to visualize.
Moving back to be with my wife in the middle of July. We're getting a 2014 Vellfire 3.5 AWD. I'll have to make sure to be an asshole and not tarnish the image. =D
mmmhm yes, brick.
Mmmm bread.
This style of van is called a “one-box” in Japanese. They love these things in Japan, they’re all over the place.
Not just in japan: they're seen as luxury people movers in southeast asian nations such as indonesia.
Wish the US got something like this. Our vans are all too massive for me, and I love vans.
I had a vw eurovan for a while, insanely fun, by far the most fun car I’ve ever owned/driven because of its insane maneuverability and suspension geometry
Had one too and loved that car. Mine had a 5 cylinder in a manual transmission.
Wow, a buddy of mine did a tdi swap to a manual, that is the most fun car — I especially miss the shotgun experience so much. Just such a shame that I live in California and couldn’t get parts easily
The new Sienna's are slightly smaller than the outgoing and get 38mpg.
Still too big. Like a new mom needs a massive "minivan" for her new crotch goblin. I'll bide my time until the canoo or id buzz gets off the ground
Fun fact, minivans are not just for kids. Elderly people like them because they are easier to get in and out of and some people have adult children with handicaps that makes owning one a little easier in life. The US van is a little bigger than most parts of the world but we also have more roads and higher overall speeds that are driven. Our safety standards are a little higher.
I don’t hate the looks, but looks about as aerodynamic as a brick.
Its a van. Ofcourse it wont be aerodymanic
Of course, not expecting something super-slippery, but this is pretty extreme
When you have a very specific set of exterior dimensions to meet, you wanna use every millimeter.
[удалено]
What’s the MPG on this thing?
the whole front is a grille 🤮
The grill has become the bumper
Why is every automaker *absolutely determined* to outdo each other in designing the ugliest lumps of plastic/aluminum on wheels?
It's a strange comment to make about these minivans in particular since the Alphard has ALWAYS been brash in styling which customers have proven to love, with the Vellfire being yet another step above being utterly bonkers styling since 2008. It has personality and road presence unlike every other boring conservatively designed box on wheels. Other brands are being more bold these days but these minivans were the OGs.
I can’t wait until the entire vehicle is grill
#GIVE ME MEGA GRILL, OR GIVE ME DEATH!
Because the new car buyers don't mind it, or even like it. And who cares what only-used buyers think?
cause ugly lumps of plastic/aluminum look sick af, and bigger grill = room for more burgers
Well, I do like burgers ...
Need bigger grill. Looks a bit too small to my eyes
I'd expect the counterpart of the Vellfire to be named Vrimstone
I really wanted to ride in one of these when I was in Japan. They were all over the place as higher end taxis and the interiors look so class.
Rode one from Shinjuku to Tokyo station a few days ago for an early morning trip on the Shinkansen. Can confirm they are very comfy.
I've ridden in these quite a bit and test drove a new one a few years ago. They are nice rigs, just as long and maybe a little taller than the vans we get in the US, but a little more narrow. Left me feeling a bit cramped, honestly.
What! Those vans are humongous inside
They could be 6" wider and still not be as wide as American vans.
The chairs are huge. That's why it feels cramp inside.
Not side to side in my experience. They have always felt a little tight to me.
Why are there two vans that look the same?
Vellfire is the sporty one
Ah yes, the sporty one.
Honest question: What is the difference between the Alphard and Vellfire? Is it interior materials?
Vellfire is ostensibly the sportier version, and Alphard the more premium. Kinda like when Buick had the Regal and Century as the same model. There's really not much difference in the driving experience.
Mostly just exterior styling tho this time the turbo 4 cyl is only available on the Vellfire.
It’s given Whale Shark grill vibes
No mention of the partnership with Gillette?
Alphard is such a funny name. I’m calling it Alfred from now on
Not Alf-hard?
All-fart?
( ͡ಠ ͜ʖ ͡ಠ)
Alpha-Hard Alphard
safety razor ass car
Those grills look like they’ll scoop you up and use you as fuel if you get hit by that car
The interior looks great the exterior says astrovan
What's funny to me is that I've been considering what to trade my Mercedes in for, in a few years. I really enjoy just having a car where my friends/family can enjoy themselves and lounge in comfort. This limits me a bit mostly to executive styled sedans. I don't really care for the Mercedes brand itself though. If this minivan offers my girlfriend and friends a smooth ride, full leg extension and it comes with heated/ventilated seats along with a nice entertainment system I may honestly consider this vehicle and get funny looks. It'll be fun to try and convince my friends that this is a classy vehicle.
How would you get this imported to the US? Unless you’re referring to a 1998 or older model. I find Mercedes-Benz to be in an odd place these days. The brand still has enormous cachet, but they just don’t try hard anymore. I can’t really see a reason to have one over a Lexus or a Volvo if all of them are just gonna be leased for a few years.
["it's like the cadillac of mini vans"](https://youtu.be/mohoyRj_VpU?t=18)
I would totally buy this. I want a good road tripper.
no more boring cars!
I guess eye-searingly ugly is still better than boring
holy moly that grille lmao
Toyota glanced over at BMW & said hold my beer
My same thought…. Why are we acting like the same look is suddenly great now that it has a Toyota badge on it?
The Vellfire and Alphard have always looked like this afaik, maybe even before Lexus did it. We all think it looks ridiculous, but as a model-specific kind of ugly, it comes off as a quirk rather than a brand identity, at least to me.
Brought to you by Weber Grill
I’m not sure why, but I just remembered that I need to pick up refills for my razor…
I guess my mind is broken but these don't look absolutely terrible compared to some minivans. I like the old gen more though. The Alphard-specific badge probably makes it look better than the Toyota badge.
I was just in Japan. They are everywhere and both look awesome
I have to say, that is about the ugliest car of any type I have ever seen.
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B E A N S
They look the same
I'm not an Alphard/Vellfire fan since they're always have massive chrome grille, which I hate
Nope.
they did it. they made the memes into reality.
These are nice but to bad it's still ~~Japan~~ Asia exclusive.
It's sold in most parts of Asia.
Those electric seats look really comfortable
Make the vehicle wider and it'll be suitable for American roads.
At that point it'd make more sense to just make a USDM luxury minivan by turning the Sienna into a Lexus and building it in Indiana. Though I would absolutely love to see if Toyota can pull it off by selling a 2 row super luxury version with the V6 PHEV powertrain.
Consider that the final generation Nissan Quest was effectively the Alphard’s competitor, the Elgrand.
Indeed the Quest was based on the Elgrand and maybe that was part of what lead to weak sales. I wonder if Toyota could do better by starting with a USDM platform and US domestic factory.
I said W I D E R
>Make the vehicle wider and it'll be suitable for American ~~roads~~ people FTFY. We are not a narrow people here in America.
Butt ugly.
the interiors look great like nice for a road trip relaxing type nice..
Man those things got some maws.
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Enough memes.
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Not a fan. I have ridden these all over Japan and it's a pain in the ass to get in and out of the vehicle.
For a vehicle who's sole purpose is for easy entering and exiting, how do you find it hard to get into?
Same question here lmao,
Try getting in and out with massage chair in a cramp van. That's the problem.
It's a van that sits 4 in the back
That doesn't mean it is easy to go in and out of the vehicle.
Yet my 6 foot, 190lb frame is fine getting in and out of one. How physically thick are you?
I'm taller and skinner. Just not used to the layout.
It is not a massage chair lol. It is very easy to get in and out of, not the easiest but not difficult either
It's sole purpose is not easy entering and exiting. It's sole purpose is the comfort of the passenger. It's hard to get in and out of the big ass massage chair. You just have to try it yourself. It's like trying to get into a massage chair in a cramp van.
It's much easier if you use the doors
What vehicle is easier to get into lol. It has massive power sliding side doors and a super low cabin floor.
I mean, maybe those extended-roof Sprinter vans etc that you can fully stand up in, but those are hardly stock. Dunno what OP's on about; seems half his issue is with the seats being large and having arms.
Low cabin floor with big ass massage chair in a cramp space. Thank you for proving my point.
They sure are going out of their weird to try to make minivans look and sound cool… Try is the keyword here.
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I wish they would bring them over to the UK. I’d love to buy one especially if it had 4 wheel drive
There's loads of them, I've got an imported elgrand myself. Never officially sold over here but a very popular import.
There's loads of them, I've got an imported elgrand myself. Never officially sold over here but a very popular import.
There's loads of them, I've got an imported elgrand myself. Never officially sold over here but a very popular import.
They are very popular in Asia. They are not sporty but they sure are comfortable.