(Images from Toyota PH)

The Toyota Alphard is a monstrosity, in a good, alpha way. It has all the things you need to make travel comfortable and with class. Its luxury is defined not only by the number of chrome parts attached to its grille and body, or the vagrant disregard to the rising prices of gasoline through its 3.5L gasoline engine, but also through the space one has in the passenger cabin while cruising on in a road trip. There still are some points to nitpick. Here they are.

Analog Dashboard

Imagefrom:https://images.autofun.ph/file1/5aca392f0d454cc29fea542b0c74efcf_1072x604.jpg

You would expect something hi-tech o match the Alphard's price point, but it seems the dash is not completely digital. Not that it's important because as they say, ‘if it works, it ain’t stupid’ but one would expect more than analog gauges and a little screen in the middle close to any lower tier Toyotas. Perhaps it's because money is spent somewhere else like the leather seats, wood trims, and the leather touches on the panel and sides. Maybe it's just because the Alphard is meant not for the driver but for the passengers. Maybe Toyota thought, ‘why pay for luxury you won't actually use?’ (But ever heard of Rolls Royce?)

No Space for Luggage

The last row of seats fold like a Hi-Ace or a new Fortuner (not the ones which fold sideways), and they don't fall flat on the floor. They just fold, exposing the seat as a bump on the floor. With the seats upright, there is no way you can put anything, even a small cooler with a sixpack. I guess Toyota Assumes Alphard owners have another vehicle for luggage. Makes sense if you think about it.

Underwhelming Infotainment System

Again, like the dashboard instruments, the infotainment system underwhelming. Its screen is barely 7 inches and it's quite dated given the price point. It has built in navigation and can play anything, anywhere including ancient circular reflectorized discs called CDs. Again, too, perhaps this is made for the driver and front passenger to operate and for the enjoyment of those seated on the captain seats.

Ingenious Back-up Camera

There is a back up camera in the Alphard and it's not going to show in the dated infotainment system. Instead, once you toggle the day/night switch of the rear-view mirror, you will see an image on the rear-view mirror which shows you the back of the vehicle. This is an ingenious design and drivers of the Alphard need this as they literally can't see the back with its humungous size, and they can't ask the passengers to serve as their proxy analog “back-up camera” because those people most likely employ the driver. One thing to nitpick though is the height of the camera's view which I have no idea if it can be adjusted. Also, it has no lines which give you an estimate how far or close the driver is to be hitting something. Still, the Alphard comes with proximity sensors so that should do its thing.

And that's it. The latest nitpicking on the Toyota Alphard. If I were to buy this though, as long as I'm comfortably chauffeured in my captain seats, I wouldn't be saying anything anymore.