Vans have always been part of the elite lifestyle, with V8-powered conversion vans once ruling the roost for celebrities and politicians alike. But that all changed when the Toyota Alphard rolled into town, offering super-smooth and relatively fuel-efficient powerplants, along with a road presence that was truly a class of its own. Just a month after the launch of the all-new Alphard, GAC Motor Philippines is getting into the game with its eye-catching M8. The Chinese carmaker announced in a Sep

Aside from the pending launch of the Toyota Yaris Cross, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) may have another vehicle waiting in the wings for its time in the spotlight. A 2024 Toyota Alphard unit was spotted in a parking complex in the southern part of Luzon, presumably in the Bauan port in Batangas. It indicates that the Japanese automaker wants to launch the all-new version of the luxury MPV soon but has yet to reveal any official launch dates. With that said, we can look to other markets where th

The Toyota Alphard has been a surprise hit in the Philippines. Even though it’s a gasoline-powered minivan, it’s boxy yet stately styling, combined with its vast and luxurious cabin, meant it was a hit for everyone from politicians to high-roller gamblers. Indeed, no five-star casino in Metro Manila is complete without its own fleet of black or white Alphards. Given its success, Toyota decided to make subtle but significant changes to the all-new Alphard and its sportier sibling, the Vellfire. T

The Toyota Alphard has been a surprising hit in the Philippines, particularly at high-end casinos. It may be a minivan, but it offers a level of panache, refinement and interior space that would put even the biggest luxury sedans to shame. And for those who want an Alphard that truly cossets, there’s the Lexus LM. Toyota’s luxury brand will debut the next-generation LM at the 2023 Auto Shanghai on April 18 to 27, 2023. It will be unveiled before the launch of the all-new Alphard in Japan sometim

Can a typical man on the street afford a Toyota Alphard? Starting at Php 4,095,000, and you have to add about Php 15,000 if you like the pearl white color, the Alphard is priced like a suburban house for a typical middle-income family. This is not an insult to the man on the street though. This is a reality check. And reality says the Toyota Alphard's clientele can be on the affluent side. Or as those who live in Pasay would say, "in the POGO business." Regardless of the background, you have to

(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 Das