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Dear Forumers, Starting this topic as I believe some of us here may be in the same situation as me and I also hope to learn from the rest of the EV forumers here with respect to being a likely first-time EV owner. So, my 'hunt' started with a visit to the car showrooms at Leng Kee with a family member who was shopping for a car. Unwittingly, the 'shopping bug' latched on to me as well and I found myself 'magically' drawn to the showrooms myself with my family in tow. With regards to my current profile, I am driving an Alphard (Year 2021) thus when comparing 'apple to apple', an equivalent replacement would be another MPV. For the new Alphard, it costs anywhere between $360,000 - $400,000 (depending on dealer) with an annual depreciation from $31,000 onwards. From the online pictures and review, I didn't bother to check out the current Alphard as there wasn't any significant updates from my current ride. Instead, I paid a visit to the Lexus showroom to view the Lexus LM (7-seater). At > $600k, I didn't find the interior quality to be worthy of it's price tag. Even the SA commented that the LM is meant for would-be Alphard buyers with money to spare and distinguishing themselves from the 'peasants' Alphard crowd. Unsatiated, I looked elsewhere and found my gaze drawn to the EV MPVs from China, that were flooding the market coincidentally at this point in time. And thus, the impetus for this topic as to who will dethrone the long undisputed king of MPVs that is the Alphard. 1. Xpeng X9: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e6BfFyfb5mHigWXyuQo2YwiXHm-iblhs/view?usp=sharing This is the newest kid on the block and while the car is in the showroom, it is undergoing homologation at LTA thus no test drive is possible. As per the SA, the selling price is likely to be at $310,000 and depreciation (my estimate) about $28,000 - $30,000. Pros: This is the most futuristic MPV among the lot, in both its exterior and interior. My family loved the interior the most due to the TV (for rear passengers) ala the 7-series which folds down dramatically at the touch of a button. Most of the other functions in the cabin are also operated by 1-touch buttons making it seamless and modern. Last but not least, its 3rd row recess electrically into the boot at the touch of a button creating a completely flat rear cabin. Cons: In my opinion, the looks of the X9 is going to be divisive with polarising opinions. Personally, I am not able to fathom it's appearance, especially its rakish rear 3rd quarter. In some ways, it seems like it is modelled after the Tesla Cybertruck but I don't think it was pulled off as successfully. Therefore, I have my doubts as to its eventual resale value due to this main consideration. 2. Zeekr 009: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10SmD8B66eUKu5shV8Q2-SDRBFnk5fGOK/view?usp=sharing This is the car with a similar price tag as the new Alphard. I didn't enquire with the SA about the depreciation due to its initial hefty price tag and associated cost (more on that later). Pros: This is also a modern-looking MPV that drew comments like 'it looks like a Rolls Royce' from my family. It also features the most luxurious interior with it's trimmings and overall build quality. Most cars will also be left helpless in it's wake in a traffic light sprint as it's 0-100km/hr is in a class leading 4.5 seconds. Cons: Beyond the hefty price tag, the road tax is at a crazy $6.5k per annum. As one of the motivation for switching to EV is to lower the operating cost, this is definitely a huge red flag and therefore reduces it's appeal (didn't even test drive as don't want to waste the SA time). 3. Maxus Mifa 7/9: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vDibRvN8KYnmNLWnWJQc6f0qldVE_ka3/view?usp=sharing This is the most affordable car among the lot. Visited the showroom just to draw a level of comparison but didn't test drive as wasn't really keen on it. A note though that, this was the only showroom where we were not accosted by a SA thus maybe they had hit the sales quota for 2024. Pros: This has the lowest price tag and first mover rights as it was the first large 7-seater electric MPV to make its foray into the local market. Cons: No disrespect to current Mifa 7/9 owners, but I feel that the interior build quality and trimming reflects in the price tag. For the Mifa 9, the instrument cluster and head unit is really below par as more of an afterthought. However, I believe this was the best option in the past as it was the only sizeable MPV that is an EV and therefore, owners really didn't have much choices to consider. 4. Denza D9: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10YwRQpBtBkR2Jj_Rjc5syg2nzcVwhsHD/view?usp=sharing This was the only car I test drive as from the online research, it had ticked all the right boxes. Pros: First and foremost, it is unpretentious in its intention and looks like an Alphard. Therefore, I believe its design is more palatable for existing Alphard owners making the transition. Next, the price tag (depreciation at $27-$28k for the FWD Elite model) is 'reasonable' in current market conditions and undercuts the Alphard by $3-4k a year in depreciation. It makes decent power and have sufficient range, and it's road tax is only $480 more than the new Alphard. It's interior build quality and trim is also 'value for money' in terms of its quality. An initial collaboration between BYD and Mercedes, this is apparent in the cabin such as the wood trimmings (same as in Mercedes products) and ambient lighting. It also offers better seat comfort in the 3rd row as compared to the Alphard/X9 and perhaps comparable to the 009. This is because the seats are inclined a few degrees towards the ceiling thus making it significantly more comfortable as compared to the Alphard which is flatter and has shallower seat bottoms. In terms of the drive, it also feels more 'continental' - same secured/rooted/engaged sensation as premium makes that I had driven before that hails from Germany/England. Cons: From the B-pillar onwards, one may be surprised to find that the D9 offers less in terms of cabin space than the Alphard despite its longer length/wheelbase. This is due to the 'thicker materials' used (like the captain seats) and a 410L fixed boot (Alphard has none). The ambient lighting also looks like it is underpowered (too dim even at its brightest settings) unlike its ex-sister brand Mercedes. Finally, there isn't any TV for rear passengers like the 009 and X9 which was a severe disappointment for my family (as we have 1 in our existing Alphard). As you would have guessed it by now, all things considered, the Denza D9 is in my opinion going to give the Alphard a real run for its money in its uninhibited attempt to wrestle the 'King of MPV' throne in Singapore. There is nothing wrong with the Alphard (past and present). From the B-pillar onwards, in my opinion, it beats the more luxurious contemporaries such as the Mercedes S-class or 7-series. It also leverages intensively on its branding as the most reliable car brand in the world (and rightfully so as my past 3 years of ownership had been uneventful compared to my previous experiences). On the flip side, it offers an emotionless and soul-less drive. It's interior build quality is at best average and the 3rd row seat comfort is mediocre. With the new Alphard at >$30k in annual depreciation, it really makes no financial sense at all to choose the new Alphard as its interior build/quality is still average and features almost non-existent. For MPVs, the 2nd row seats are the 'money seats' and therefore, it must be the most important point of reference for these luxury MPVs. For instance (past/new Alphard), in its most basic trim, there are no touch-screen control panels at its captain chairs, no ventilated or massage seats. And all these comes standard in the D9. Therefore, all things equal, it is bewildering why one would consider the new Alphard over the D9, when you paying more for less! Furthermore, in terms of operating cost and assuming an annual mileage of 20,000km for the average driver and based on a fuel consumption of 12km/l and RON 95 petrol at $2.20/l for the Alphard, it costs $3667 in petrol cost per year. For the D9, it has a consumption of 4.66km/kwh and based on $0.5 kwh charging costs, one would pay $2145 per year which translate to a saving of $1522. If one would to minus $480 (due to the higher annual road tax of the D9 compared to the Alphard), it would still translate to a saving of $1042 yearly. This saving would be even higher if petrol costs increases and if one has access to home charging (at $0.3 kwh compared to 3rd party service providers). Also, we haven't factored in the lower maintenance costs of EV (dealer for D9 offering 10-years battery warranty/maintenance) compared to ICE. All-in-all, it is certainly financially compelling to jump ship to the D9. Finally, what may be the other cons stopping Alphard owners? To me, it would be the branding and resale value down the road. And I also appreciate any other forumers inputs who have been there and done there (by transiting to EVs). At $300k a pop, the D9 ain't exactly loose change thus I am also worried if I had missed out any 'blind spots' in my analysis. Awaiting your valuable inputs and hope my sharing had offered other forumers who are in the same situation as me in making a better decision on their next purchase, thanks!

The MPV look gigantic in size (5 mm shy of 5 m from end to end), and finally available in 2.4L Turbo, producing a healthy 275 horsepower and 430 NM. Toyota has unveiled the fourth-generation Alphard alongside the Vellfire. These follow the recently introduced posh Lexus LM, a mechanically related vehicle based on the same TNGA-K platform. The twin are the first Toyota models to have steps on both left and right sliding doors, with a step emerging about 220 millimeters above ground. The boxy minivans are 4995 mm long and share a massive wheelbase stretching at 3000 mm. Both are 1850 mm wide while height depends on the model and trim level, either 1935 mm or 1945 mm. The Alphard and Vellfire can seat up to six people in a 2+2+2 layout with second-row captain's chairs. There's now an extra 5 mm between the first two rows and an additional 10 mm between the second and third rows. Both can be had with front- or all-wheel drive as well as a hybrid powertrain, with a plug-in hybrid setup to be added later. The most powerful of the bunch is a turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine available in the Vellfire. "Tuned to deliver a sporty sound," it makes 275 hp (205 kilowatts) and 430 Newton-meters of torque. Customers can also pick a hybrid based on a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with a combined output of 250 hp (184 kW). Lesser Alphard models have a non-electrified, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder unit with 180 hp (134 kW) and 235 NM. Depending on the engine, the minivans come with a CVT, an e-CVT, or an eight-speed automatic.

Got money but no manners. Or basic human decency. Watch the video to see why. What happened? On 10 June, last Saturday at the Johor-Singapore Causeway, a Malaysian Toyota Alphard decided that it would be better to risk going to jail and injuring a traffic marshal instead of facing the consequences. The Toyota was seen driving on the bus-lorry lane. This is seen as soon after it passes by the camcar on screen, a bus appears behind the Alphard. This did not go unnoticed by traffic marshals either, who were shown telling the Toyota to turn around and go to the start of the queue. Making a move to go to the right, the Toyota made a feint as if to comply before righting itself and going full speed ahead, before the officers could do something. If the officers made a move to block the Alphard from continuing straight, it is likely injuries would have occurred. Online chatter Many are angry that the Toyota driver can behave in such a manner, and call for punishments such as jail or being banned from entering Singapore again. Others are resigned, saying that the driver can simply come back to Singapore with new plates and get away scot-free. Punishment? The comments about swapping plates intrigued me. So I did some research about what measures are there to find this person again. If you don’t know, when travelling by car on the Causeway you need a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)/ Autopass card. This card would require your registration with your passport or identification card. So in theory, even if the driver comes back with a different number plate, the authorities can still catch them by looking at the current name attached to the current number plate and blacklist it! This way, the driver will be caught on their next attempt to come to Singapore. Here’s to hoping the law prevails. ========= Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!

TL;DR - A Malaysian-registered Toyota Alphard jumped in line and forced its way into a jam-packed lane at JB Checkpoint, causing his car to get scratched. The driver then demanded the cam car for compensation sparking an argument between both drivers. The New Year long weekend means more cars stuck at the causeway for a long time. But, that also means tempers will rise and the chances of a mishap occurring increases. To be honest, I would be surprised if the weekend went by without incident. Watch this 96-second road rage confrontation for one such incident. What happened? Footage of the incident showed that there were long snaking queues at the JB checkpoint as the cam car and a Malaysian registered Alphard approached the merging lane. The Alphard driver winded down his window to signal his intention of merging into the cam car’s lane. However, the cam car seemed to be caught off guard and thus, moved forward as well. This resulted in the Alphard grazing the front of the cam car. Undoubtedly, it sparked anger as the Alphard driver came out of his car to take picture proof of the cam car, and continued to display gestures of unhappiness. The driver allegedly demanded for compensation for the damage caused (but it is unclear how this incident was resolved). Online Chatter: Seems like netizens are faulting the Alphard driver for being a reckless driver. Takeaway Regardless, we should all be nice on the road - don't be so 'kanchiong'! All it takes is a little bit of graciousness and consideration from every road user. This kind thought will only slow you down for three seconds, but it will definitely save you from hours of anger afterwards. ========= Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!

Just to have an idea who drive this wonderful MPV.. And we can organise meet-ups and all.. and also.. there is a dedicated forum : www.alphardasiaclub.com Let me get the ball rolling... 1) VellfireS / Toyota Vellfire 3.5Z-G S-Edition (Richburg Motors)

Beauty or Weird looking ?

We have spotted an inconsiderate driver who spends their weekends with their family on the famous dim sum restaurant, Red Star restaurant at Chin Swee Road. Image Credit: http://www.maksinwee.com/2017/03/red-star-restaurant-dim-sum-singapore.html According to Alex Wong from SG Road Vigilante, a Toyota Alphard was spotted taking two lots in front of the restaurant. And here are some of the notable comments on Facebook. Let's be gracious and take this opportunity to remind ourselves not to make the same mistake as this Toyota Alphard owner. I hope everyone manages to find a parking lot that day while enjoying the dim sum at red star restaurant. 🙂

This might be a long shot, but no harm trying. Incident occurred at JW St 42 car park (in front of blk 554), approx. 1005hrs. I scraped the side of your front passenger fender while reversing. Did not have any stationery with me, so I went to get some. Upon returning, your vehicle was no longer there. Should you be reading this, please drop me a pm for settlement. Pictures of the damage are attached as well. Many thanks

Toyota has released images of its new facelifted Alphard and Vellfire over the christmas weekend. It gets an updated engine and new autobox. Set to go on sale in January in Japan, the largest change is the adoption of the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense. It is now standard across the range and highlight features include the pedestrian detection for the Pre-Crash System, Lane Tracing Assist and Road Sign Assist. Not so relevant for our market is the revision of its 3.5-litre V6 engine that receives the direct injection treatment. Toyota did not give any output figures but did claim better fuel economy for the V6 engine. It now does at 10.6km/L as compared to 9.5km/L before. A new eight-speed automatic can also be thanked for the reduced fuel consumption. Meanwhile, then 2.5-litre Dual VVT-i four-cylinder and CVT combo remains the same. Elsewhere, body rigidity has been increased with more use of structural adhesives as well as high-rigidity glass adhesives. The remaining changes are mainly cosmetic and both luxury MPVs will have an "Aero" option that includes a more aggressive bodykit all around.

Hi, Intending to get either of these 2 cars but not willing to fork out $30k more to get from AD. Whom are the reputable PIs to recommend? Thanks!

Hi Bros! Just checking if anyone here is driving an Alphard/Vellfire? Was wondering if anyone knows of any forums for the above? Thanks!

As abv 2011 Nissan Elgrand 2.5(E52) vs Toyota Alphard 2.4, mind give me some advise???

Hi I'm asking to see if anyone has experienced driving a Toyota Alphard in Japan (specifically in Hokkaido would be good). As we're headed there in June, I'm curious about how different the model is compared to the version we get here in Singapore... I need as much luggage space as possible, and as it is, the local version's last row slides forward just enough that I can load the luggage for the six of us.... I'm wondering if the seat configuration (2-2-3) and "configurability" is similar.... Thanks in advance!

kaypoh a bit here i read that he sold it and bought a 2nd hand car. anyone knows what he driving now? or has anyone here bought Jack's Alphard?

Happen to find this website introducing the 2009 Aiphard in Japan. Donno when wil it be imported to Singapore http://videoandpic.blogspot.com/2008/09/to...phard-2009.html

with jack neo screwing around in his mpv, is that the best choice? size matters? lol no need to describe your personal experience, but from what you hear can already.

Saw from today's straits times that BM will be bringing in Toyota Alphard MPV this year. They will also be launching the new Wish in the 3rd quarter

Review is at: http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=18035

Wonder how much the Pi's ar selling over here... Looks Tempting May 12, 2008 Toyota 'Alphard' Minivan Reborn with 'Vellfire' Companion Tokyo

Dear all I am looking for the Toyota Alphard 03', 3000cc, 2WD rear shocks. Need one pair. Anybody who knows who and where to contact kindly let me know. i've tried Ric-Tat, Hanip, Autosaver and Fong Tat with no results. Thanks a million.