2015 Toyota Alphard: A car that can make you love traffic

Long-haul flights can be grueling, which usually makes an upgrade to Executive or First Class worth every penny. With the Philippines recently ranking 9th worldwide among countries with the worst traffic situation, it seems that upgrading to Executive Class makes sense for land travelers, too.

This is what the 2015 Toyota Alphard seeks to deliver, a permanent upgrade to Executive Class. No need to book in advance, no need to rack-up mileages or loyalty points to get an upgrade—just hop in and ride.

Only three days after it was launched in Japan, the 2015 Alphard was unveiled by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) in The Peninsula Manila Hotel last January 29. TMP president Michinobu Sugata said the Alphard is aimed at “catering to each customer’s unique values and concerns whether for business or leisure making every trip feel like first-class.”

It’s hard not to believe Sugata’s words. The Alphard has an all-new enhanced NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) control measures to ensure silence inside this luxury van. The floor height has been lowered by 50mm to allow easy ingress and egress for passengers (I’m sure women passengers in heels or skirts will especially appreciate this) and the rear door opening has been widened by 70mm for easier accessibility.

For those who like to work or read while riding, the Alphard has lights which line its ceiling similar to those found in limousines or aircraft with the added bonus that the brightness can be adjusted into 16 different colors. Those who want to sleep can simply dim the lights to a slumber-inducing ambiance. Riding during the day won’t wake the sleeping passenger since the Alphard has roller-type sunshades to block the heat or sunlight.

As with airline travel, more leg space and more luggage allowance are some of the Executive Class perks which the Alphard brings to land travelers. The Alphard has a 147-liter capacity for the area underneath the luggage room floor. When the third-row seats are in use, six golf bags can still fit in the luggage area while six pieces of hand luggage can fit in the recessed storage space.

Out of all the features of the Alphard, nothing can outdo its soft and spacious leather seats which remind me of La-Z-Boy chairs. These can be mechanically reclined to a point where passengers can almost lay flat on their backs. As my editor and I sat down inside the Alphard, the combination of having a long day’s work and those ultra-comfortable seats were enough to put my editor to sleep instantly. (At least enough for a quick “snooze” for an Instagram contest pose. – Ed.)

No change was made to the 2015 Alphard’s engine as it uses its predecessor’s 6-cylinder in-line 24-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-I engine. While its engine is designed for fuel-efficiency and low emissions, Alphard owners should still expect to spend a considerable amount on gas bills compared to the average vehicle.

Luxury usually comes at a price. For the 2015 Alphard 3.5L Automatic, the price tag is P3.29 Million. Not bad for a permanent upgrade to Executive Class.

While I hate sitting in traffic or riding long distances, the idea of spending hours lounging inside an Alphard appeals to me. Now where do I get myself a “Car Attendant” to serve me champagne?