Being understated is a movement away from the garish, in-your-face extravagance that has dominated for so long. Subtlety and refinement are now the new markers of true luxury, and more people are hopping on this trend. 

Enter the latest Vellfire Hybrid from Toyota, an MPV that embodies this ethos with every boxy curve and contour. It’s a people-mover that transports its occupants into a world of understated sophistication.

Refined Comfort

Being a passenger is how you experience true luxury in the Toyota Vellfire, and as the doors slide open, you’re entering a sanctuary. The pair of captain’s chairs in the second row are thrones that beckon with their plush upholstery and ergonomic design.

This comfort is accentuated by the conveniently named Super-Long Overhead Console. It’s a control centre; nestled within easy reach are the controls for the Side and Roof Shades, along with a selector for ambient lighting.

Each element is designed to cater to your mood, to create an atmosphere that’s uniquely yours.

Tired neck from looking up? No worries. The Detachable Touch Display remote controls are at your service. Similar to the overhead controls, these personal command centres enable you to effortlessly adjust seating, extend leg rests, and even activate the massage functions.

Even those seated in the third row aren’t left out of this luxury equation. The seats, though not as opulent as the captain’s chairs, are still a cut above the rest, offering comfort and support. You will feel jealous of those directly in front of you, but it’s a small price to pay for being in such distinguished company.

The only disadvantage of the third row compared to other manufacturers is the way they are stowed when not in use – you’ll have to manually flip them up to fit bigger items. It’s not hard to get these seats out of the way, but these seats still intrude into your precious cargo space, and you lose the ability to effectively stack objects such as luggage.

If the allure of a quiet sanctum isn’t high on your list, the JBL audio system transforms the cabin into a concert hall or a discotheque. Small wonder why these kinds of vehicles are usually waiting patiently outside blaring music establishments.

Of course, Toyota didn’t leave the poor driver out of the equation entirely. The cockpit is a testament to Toyota’s commitment to comfort and technology. Soft materials, digital displays, and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system make driving an experience.

The climate-controlled seats are a thoughtful addition, offering warmth on chilly days or non-sweaty buttoned-up shirts during those scorching hot chauffeur days.

The cockpit is rather practical too. Stowaway cupholders beside the side air vents are available when needed, and storage isn’t a worry thanks to space available in both the centre console and glovebox. The centre console’s lid also has hinges on either side, a nifty feature adapted from Lexus models.

Subtle Grandeur

The Toyota Vellfire presents an intriguing paradox on the outside. How does one imbue a full-sized MPV with a sense of understated elegance, without going over the top?

The Toyota engineers knew about this, and have struck a nice balance between style and subtlety. The grille, while shiny and eye-catching, doesn’t scream for attention. It adds just enough flair to keep the vehicle from being mundane. 

I mean, just look at its dimensions – over five meters long, nearly two meters wide and tall. It’s a behemoth by any standard.

Yet, thanks to the skilful design, including a ‘three-dimensional single-strike cabin silhouette’… whatever that means, the Vellfire doesn’t come across as bulky or imposing. And those 19-inch wheels perfectly complement the vehicle’s grandeur.

The rear design is tastefully executed, with just a hint of chrome accentuating its width and an elegantly extended ‘Vellfire’ badge. Even the tailgate buttons are subtly integrated, requiring a closer look to be noticed.

It’s these small details that really add up.

Gentle Colossus On The Move

As with most MPVs or large cars, piloting the Vellfire Hybrid might seem daunting at first given its bulky dimensions. But give it a shot, and you’ll find that it’s surprisingly managable. 

The engineers at Toyota have been hard at work, fine-tuning the car to make it feel more responsive and precise than its predecessors. This meant a stiffer chassis, but with updates to the suspension setup and steering feel, the car feels soft and cushioned on the roads.

Under the hood, the synergy between the 2.5-litre in-line four engine and the electric motor produces 247bhp, propelling the 2.1-tonne MPV from a standstill to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds. It’s a respectable figure for an MPV, but remember, hard acceleration is not this vehicle’s forte. Push it too hard, and you’ll be met with the displeasing sound of the CVT drone – a reminder that the Vellfire is built for cruising, not racing.

Braking is another area where the Vellfire’s size comes into play. Despite its mass, the vehicle stops efficiently, with a linear brake feel. Just make sure you keep a sensible distance from the car ahead; you do not want to be at the receiving end of an angry tirade by your boss just because you braked too hard.

While most prospective customers probably wouldn’t bother about it, fuel efficiency is quite important in a big MPV. Toyota’s claimed combined consumption figure of 17.2 km/litre is optimistic; in real-world conditions, I managed 13.1km/litre. Still, that’s a respectable figure considering it’s a Vellfire.

Defining Standards

The Toyota Vellfire Hybrid stands out as one of the best full-size MPVs on the market today. A vehicle that doesn’t just compete with its counterparts but sets a new standard in the segment. And the allure of the Vellfire is its unassuming nature. It doesn’t boast or brag. It doesn’t need to. 

It’s a vehicle for those who appreciate luxury in its purest unpretentious form, a vehicle for the person who understands that true luxury is not about how loudly you can announce your wealth, but about the quiet confidence in enjoying it.

Technical Specifications

Toyota Vellfire Hybrid

Engine: 2,487cc 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC, Dual VVT-i
Power: 247 bhp
Torque: 239 Nm
Gearbox: CVT (A)
0-100km/h: 9.4 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180 km/h
Fuel Economy: 12.2 km/L (claimed)
Price: S$395,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Toyota Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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I wasn’t kidding about the ‘first-class’ bit folks. The Toyota Vellfire launch event was themed with first-class travel in mind, complete with boarding gate, cabin crew and customised luggage tags in a font colour and script of one’s choosing.

Then came the main event where the new Vellfire rolled in out of the clouds. This is one imposing-looking premium people-mover.

Ng Khee Siong, Interim Managing Director of Inchcape Singapore, was on hand for the launch. “The introduction of the all-new Toyota Vellfire Hybrid underscores Toyota’s relentless dedication to innovation and the art of crafting vehicles that not only fulfil but surpass expectations,” said Mr. Ng.

“With its captivating design, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled comfort, the Vellfire Hybrid reshapes the landscape of sophistication and performance, setting a new standard in first-class luxury travel on the road.”

The business-end of this premium people-mover is on the inside.

The third row of seats can be folded away in a 50:50 split to liberate more luggage room, and access to the boot is via a button below each side of the rear taillights.

If need be, six passengers can be seated within, although it is more likely that only the second row of seats will be extensively used. These captain’s chairs can be electrically adjusted fore and aft and for recline, and an ottoman can also be extended should the VVIP occupants want to stretch out. Seat ventilation and massage functions are also available here.

14 ambient lighting choices illuminate the interior to the occupants’ content, further aided by a twin panoramic moonroof. In between these sky-seeing glass panels, Toyota has introduced a “Super-Long Overhead Console” to centralise the various switches and aircon vents for this portion of the cabin.

Powering the Vellfire is a 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid engine said to be capable of achieving 17.2km/litre or 5.8-litres/100km, an impressive feat for a premium people-mover of its size.

Advanced Toyota Safety Sense features are also present. Equipped with shape recognition cameras and millimetre-wave radar, the system detects potential collisions involving cyclists, pedestrians, and oncoming vehicles, and initiates automatic braking where necessary to prevent accidents.

Other features such as Curve Speed Management, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Adaptive High-Beam, and six SRS Airbags make the Vellfire a much safer place to be on road.

More to come when we put the new Vellfire through its paces. In the meantime, contact Toyota Singapore for more information.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

Toyota has recently revealed the new Alphard and Vellfire. At launch, these cars will only have petrol-only and hybrid drivetrains, although Toyota has stated that it will introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option in the near future.

Both cars are now constructed using an optimised version of the TNGA-K platform, which claims to offer 50% increased rigidity over the third-generation models. The platforms also get a host of anti-vibration measures to ensure that vibrations are minimised for occupants.

The Toyota Alphard will come with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that develops 180bhp and 235Nm of torque. On the other hand, the Toyota Vellfire will run with a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine developing 275bhp and 430Nm of torque. Both models will also be available with a 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain that develops 247bhp.

The new design language gives both cars more upmarket and classy looks. On the Alphard, a plated front grille pattern with matching headlights signature give it a clean front fascia. The taillights also replicate this pattern, flaked by chrome trim.

To distinguish the two models, the Vellfire instead gets a grille that comprises multiple horizontal elements, flanked by larger faux air intakes. Both cars feature a unique inverted ‘Z’ shape along their sides.

Thanks to changes to the driving position as well as the new construction of the second-row seats, Toyota claims that interior space between the front and second row seats has been increased by 5mm, while the space between the second-row and third-row seats increased by 10mm.

Rear passengers will also get a new Overhead Console, which is able to toggle controls for the air-conditioning and interior lighting. Ingress is also now easier thanks to Universal Steps on both right and left-hand-side sliding doors, while grips are now positioned on the C pillars and on both sides of the ceiling.

For those who wish to see stars, a moonroof is included in both vehicles, with independently operable right and left-side shades, so occupants can choose to see the sky even if others choose to block out the sunlight.

Expect to see these cars arrive on our shores in late 2024.

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