This marks the first time Toyota has officially brought an electrified version of its peti sejuk into Malaysia.
For the towkays out there who are still sticking with the Big T in this increasingly electrified automotive landscape, there is finally some reprieve. Such is as UMW Toyota Motor has officially launched the Vellfire Hybrid in Malaysia, and yes, it could be yours for a cool RM 549,900.
Arriving officially nearly two years after its local preview, the electrified luxury MPV finally joins the regular 2.5-litre petrol counterpart that arrived back in 2023. Fully imported from Japan, this Vellfire Hybrid arrives here as the range-topping Executive Lounge variant.
Now the astute among you will quickly notice that the Vellfire Hybrid at RM 549,900, it is RM 101,900 more expensive than the standard petrol model priced at RM 448,000. In fact, it is also RM 1,900 pricier than the Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge, which currently retails at RM 548,000.
And put into further context, the Vellfire Hybrid also sits well above the new wave of Chinese electrified luxury MPVs. The fully electric Zeekr 009 and Denza D9 for example cost roughly half as much, while the upcoming GWM Wey G9 is expected to arrive just under the RM 300,000 mark.
In any case, what buyers do get for their over half-a-million-ringgit outlay is a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, with power sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT gearbox. Combined system output stands at a healthy 250 PS, representing a sizeable 70 PS or 37 percent increase over the standard petrol-only Vellfire.
Though perhaps the more impressive stat on the powertrain front is its fuel consumption, which at just 5.7 litres per 100 km is significantly lower than the petrol model’s 9.1 litres per 100 km. Despite having a smaller 60-litre fuel tank, the improved efficiency still gives the Vellfire Hybrid a theoretical driving range of over 1,000 km.
Visually, the Vellfire Hybrid is almost indistinguishable from its petrol sibling, retaining the bold split LED headlamps, oversized slatted grille, vertical corner air inlets and full-width LED taillights with U-shaped graphics, along with the same 19-inch two-tone ten-spoke alloy wheels. Hybrid-specific cues are limited to subtle ‘HEV’ badges, acoustic glass for improved refinement and Toyota’s ‘Quiet Sliding Door’ system.
Step inside though and the Hybrid does start to make a stronger case for its premium, as it is offered solely in a seven-seat 2+2+3 Executive Lounge layout with its biggest enhancements focused on the second row. Shared with the more premium Alphard, this Executive Lounge trim of Vellfire brings with it VIP seats with powered ottomans, heating, ventilation and massage functions, armrest heating, fold-out tables with vanity mirrors, and integrated touchscreen controls housed within the armrests.
The cabin of the Vellfire Hybrid comes as standard upholstered in Nappa leather, with buyers able to choose between Black or Sunset Brown hues at no extra cost. A 14-inch roof-mounted rear entertainment display sits between two panoramic skylights, both naturally featuring powered sunshades.
Up front, the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a head-up display, while infotainment duties are handled by a 14-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Lexus-style physical knobs for the climate control remain, which many will appreciate. A 15-speaker JBL premium sound system, Qi wireless charging pad, digital rear-view mirror, four-zone climate control with Panasonic Nanoe X air purification, and 64-colour ambient ceiling lighting are all standard.
Safety is comprehensively covered in the Vellfire Hybrid, with the full Toyota Safety Sense suite fitted as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, parking AEB, traffic sign recognition and adaptive high beam. Six airbags, stability control and a panoramic view monitor round out the package.
The Toyota Vellfire Hybrid Executive Lounge is offered in Black as standard, with Platinum White Pearl and Precious Metal available for an additional RM 1,000. Warranty coverage includes a five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year unlimited mileage warranty for the hybrid battery, inverter and power control unit, extendable by a further two years.
