{"id":37666,"date":"2020-08-20T06:00:33","date_gmt":"2020-08-19T21:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37666"},"modified":"2021-06-01T23:05:49","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T14:05:49","slug":"toyota-alphard-2008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/toyota-alphard-2008\/","title":{"rendered":"My Brother\u2019s New Alphard: What Does a Porsche Owner Think?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The other day, my husband got the chance to drive my younger brother\u2019s Alphard, and he wrote up his impressions. I was back at my parents\u2019 home for the birth of our baby, so I couldn\u2019t join them\u2014but I would have loved to experience the second row for myself. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy his review.<\/p>\n

Why an Alphard?<\/h3>\n

My younger brother makes the occasional appearance on this blog, and it seems that after recently trying the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T<\/a>, he\u2019s bought another car.<\/p>\n

This time, it\u2019s a Toyota Alphard.<\/strong> He chose the 3.5-liter, four-wheel-drive Executive Lounge. I asked him, \u201cWhy an Alphard this time?<\/strong>\u201d He\u2019d been looking for an SUV for the family and had considered the GLS, Defender, and Cayenne, among others. In the end, he settled on the Alphard for its value and spacious, comfortable ride.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Many of my brother\u2019s friends own supercars such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis. After weighing their options, though, more and more of them seem to be choosing an Alphard as their family car<\/strong>. Perhaps owning a supercar makes you appreciate having something at the opposite end of the spectrum for everyday family life.<\/p>\n

Taking the Alphard for a Test Drive<\/h3>\n

A few days after delivery, my brother brought the car over to show us. It didn\u2019t look especially wide, but it was tall.<\/strong> Since I\u2019m used to driving low-slung cars, its height came as quite a surprise.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We climbed in and headed straight for Royu Driveway for a test drive. Not many people take an Alphard up to Royu, I imagine, but there\u2019s no getting around a drive if you want to find out how a car performs.<\/p>\n

The first thing I noticed as we set off was how quiet it was.<\/strong> The Alphard does an impressive job of keeping outside noise at bay. The engine, on the other hand, makes itself heard when you put your foot down. In fact, its dry, distinctly Toyota-like combustion note is rather enjoyable.<\/p>\n

You barely hear the exhaust, but the engine\u2019s rising \u201cwhoosh\u201d is surprisingly spirited.<\/p>\n

I asked my brother why he chose the 3.5-liter engine. \u201cI\u2019ve driven friends\u2019 2.5-liter and 2.5-liter hybrid models, and the engines seemed to work hard on hills. The 3.5-liter was noticeably better in terms of ride comfort, too. Since I\u2019m the one who\u2019ll be driving it, I went with the 3.5-liter for its engine character and power.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t driven one of the 2.5-liter versions, so I can\u2019t make a direct comparison. But the 3.5-liter feels good, and there\u2019s more than enough power for everyday driving.<\/p>\n

What did catch my attention was the automatic transmission\u2019s programming.<\/strong> On a fairly steep hill, even when the engine was clearly struggling, the transmission seemed determined to keep the revs between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. The result felt a little sluggish.<\/p>\n

Of course, you can press the accelerator further and make it downshift. But I\u2019d rather it downshift sooner and make better use of the higher rev range.<\/p>\n

The engine\u2019s maximum torque is 361 Nm (36.8 kgf\u00b7m) at 4,600\u20134,700 rpm<\/strong>\u2014a relatively high point of peak torque for a modern engine. Given that, I\u2019d have expected it to use higher revs more readily.<\/p>\n

I know this isn\u2019t a car designed for handling, but I\u2019ll share my impressions anyway. With its relatively large steering lock-to-lock, the car seemed to respond a beat after every input<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s perfectly fine for this car.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s gentler on the passengers and lets the driver relax. The steering never urges you to hurry or pushes you to drive more aggressively.<\/p>\n

As you\u2019d expect, it tends toward understeer.<\/strong> On the bends at Royu, I found myself braking well before the turn, then gradually adding steering as I went through it. It\u2019s not a car you can push hard, so you naturally settle into a smooth, low-lateral-G driving style that\u2019s considerate of everyone on board.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The ride is outstanding\u2014especially at lower speeds, up to around 60\u201370 km\/h. It feels as if the car is floating inside a giant balloon.<\/strong> The soft suspension and tires settle gently over the road, while the car\u2019s weight helps it glide along with a wonderfully plush feel.<\/p>\n

I loved the way my old S63 Coup\u00e9 rode, too, but around town, the Alphard honestly feels even better.<\/strong> It\u2019s not the same glass-smooth, flat ride you get from a European luxury car, where you can almost sense the tires rolling perfectly round. It\u2019s hard to describe, but it feels as if there\u2019s a layer of soft rubber or air between the road and the car.<\/p>\n

The most impressive moment came when we crossed one of the raised traffic-calming strips designed to discourage speeding. The Alphard did an incredible job of keeping out both noise and vibration.<\/strong> I drive over that same strip all the time, so the difference was especially noticeable. Of all the cars I\u2019ve experienced, it would rank among the quietest and smoothest.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s Japanese engineering\u2014and that\u2019s Toyota.<\/strong> It\u2019s something to be proud of.<\/p>\n

However, the ride changes character as soon as you press the accelerator and ask the car to move more briskly.<\/strong> There\u2019s a lot of body roll and sway, and you can feel a certain looseness in the body. When I pointed that out, my brother said, \u201cI\u2019ve noticed that too, so I\u2019m planning to fit the full set of TRD chassis upgrades.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

I wonder what my brother is trying to turn this Alphard into! (Laughs.)<\/p>\n

Another thing that impressed me was how little it pitched fore and aft. That may partly be down to this being a four-wheel-drive model, with torque distribution managed while driving, but there\u2019s very little front-to-rear movement.<\/strong> Many SUVs and minivans are designed to carry cargo, so their rear suspension tends to be firm. That can leave the back end unsettled and bouncy. The Alphard, by contrast, stayed composed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next page \u2192 How does the Alphard behave on the highway?<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

The Alphard on the Highway<\/h3>\n

We moved on to the highway to see how the Alphard handled at speed. At normal cruising speeds in the travel lane, it\u2019s exceptionally comfortable.<\/strong> It\u2019s particularly relaxing on busy roads like the Hanshin Expressway.<\/p>\n

You get the feeling the car is saying, \u201cRelax a little more<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cTake it easy<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a Porsche, I always find myself gripping the wheel firmly with both hands, whatever the conditions. But in the Alphard, I\u2019d catch myself driving with one hand lightly resting at the bottom of the steering wheel.<\/strong> Even I was surprised.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d never normally drive that way, but somehow the Alphard invites you to.<\/p>\n

On the way back, we hit some serious highway traffic, but I felt no stress at all.<\/strong> It\u2019s such a comfortable place to spend time on the move\u2014a truly impressive vehicle.<\/p>\n

Even when I picked up the pace in the passing lane, its straight-line stability felt very good.<\/strong> It tracks straight, with no need for constant steering corrections. Tire noise is well suppressed, too, making for a peaceful ride. Even when I entered a fast curve a little too quickly, the Alphard handled it without fuss. My reaction was, \u201cWow, it actually drives pretty well.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

On closer reflection, though, the sense of body solidity and tire contact with the road is rather faint.<\/strong> This isn\u2019t a car that feels planted and precise. So why does it still seem stable? My guess is that it creates that impression by filtering out outside noise and much of the feedback that would otherwise reach the steering wheel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There\u2019s ample engine power for highway driving, and you shouldn\u2019t have any trouble in normal conditions. But if you\u2019re leading traffic in the passing lane on one of the Shin-T\u014dmei Expressway\u2019s 120 km\/h sections, for example, you may need to keep your foot on the accelerator more deliberately, as the Alphard seems prone to losing speed against the air.<\/p>\n

One thing did bother me on the highway: the brakes. Honestly, they feel underpowered.<\/strong> A vehicle this heavy deserves a more capable braking system. The deceleration takes a moment to build when you press the pedal, almost as if the car had low-friction brake pads.<\/p>\n

If you imagine an accident happening right in front of you on the highway and having to swerve while braking hard, it\u2019s a little unsettling.<\/strong> This is a car that carries family and friends, so I\u2019d like to see more investment in its brakes.<\/p>\n

The Alphard\u2019s Rear Seats<\/h3>\n

So far, I\u2019ve focused on how the Alphard drives from behind the wheel. But it\u2019s an Alphard, after all, so I should also take a look at the rear seats. In the Executive Lounge, the second row gets two luxurious individual seats\u2014and they\u2019re truly excellent.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s more than enough legroom, and the seats are large, with ottomans that let even a grown man stretch out comfortably. They recline a long way. They may not quite match business class on a plane, but they\u2019re more comfortable than the Green Car on the Shinkansen<\/strong>\u2014Japan\u2019s premium high-speed rail seating.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Second-row seats. These are exceptionally comfortable.<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s also a screen mounted in the ceiling, and seat ventilation and heating are included, of course.<\/strong> You can adjust the seat position however you like using the controls at your fingertips. The cupholders are well placed, too. It\u2019s genuinely comfortable. If I ever bought an Alphard, I\u2019d definitely want to sit in the back. That\u2019s how good the features are.<\/p>\n

The third row is perfectly usable, too. Even with the second row in a standard position, there\u2019s plenty of room. It may even be more comfortable than the back seat of a compact car.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"

Seat controls are built into the armrest.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Plenty of legroom. The ottoman makes it even more comfortable.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Table for the second-row seats.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Rear-seat entertainment screen.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Third-row seats.<\/p><\/div>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n

After driving the Alphard in town, on winding roads, and on the highway, I\u2019d say it\u2019s one of the best vehicles for Japanese roads.<\/strong> Toyota seems to have tuned it specifically for the speeds and road conditions people typically encounter in Japan. It\u2019s not comfort in the sense of driving enjoyment so much as comfort through hospitality\u2014the car is designed to make everyone on board feel looked after.<\/p>\n

Driving the Alphard also made me realize something. When I test-drove the Mercedes-Benz GLS<\/a> a little while ago, perhaps what I was hoping for from the GLS was the ride comfort of this Alphard. Looking back, I was expecting that same relaxed, supple refinement at low speeds\u2014that particular sense of luxury.<\/p>\n

The Alphard delivers that level of comfort and refinement. This may sound like an exaggeration, but at typical city speeds in Japan, it can feel more comfortable than an S-Class.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a car where driving excitement comes second to easy, comfortable travel\u2014and one that makes life enjoyable for passengers in the back<\/strong>, the Alphard has to be one of the best choices out there. I can see exactly why it\u2019s so popular.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The other day, my husband got the chance to drive my younger brother\u2019s Alphard, and he wrote up his impressions. I was back at my parents\u2019 home for the birth of our baby, so I couldn\u2019t join them\u2014but I would have loved to experience the second row for myself. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy his review. Why an Alphard? My younger brother makes the occasional appearance on this blog, and it seems that...","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":19341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=19332","footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-testdrive","en-US"],"yoast_head":"My Brother\u2019s New Alphard: What Does a Porsche Owner Think? - Porsche Owner's Blog from Japan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Porsche owner reviews his brother\u2019s new Toyota Alphard, from its plush ride and luxurious rear seats to highway comfort, handling, and brakes.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/toyota-alphard-2008\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/toyota-alphard-2008\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"My Brother\u2019s New Alphard: What Does a Porsche Owner Think? 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