Here’s a quick preview of all the new Chinese challengers coming to claim the Alphard’s throne in Malaysia.
While there have been a few other decent alternatives from Kia and Honda, it should go without saying that the Toyota Alphard remains the undisputed default choice for anyone who wanting a luxury MPV over here. Though much like how the Chinese marques have recently been going after the Japanese with their SUVs and sedans, it does seem that some of those same brands are now attempting to challenge the big T for a slice of the upmarket MPV pie too.
In fact, a quick count reveals that there may just soon be as many of there premium people movers from Chinese brands as there are fingers on two hands. And thus here below is conveniently a list of all the Alphard alternatives that have either already arrived in Malaysia, or are set to land locally within the next 12 months.
Already Here In Malaysia
Zeekr 009
Powertrain: Fully Electric
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive (612 PS, 693 Nm of torque)
- 116 kWh NMC battery
- 0-100 km/h: 4.5 seconds
- WLTP range: 582 km
- AC charging: 11 kW
- DC charging: 150 kW (10-80% in 30 minutes)
Seats: 7 (2-2-3, Luxury), 6 (2-2-2, Ultra Luxury)
Kit List Highlights:
- Zeekr magic carpet air suspension system
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 15.05-inch OLED central infotainment touchscreen
- 39.95-inch AR head-up display
- 17-inch OLED roof-mounted display
- 8.6-litre dual temperature mode (cooling and heating) refrigerator
- Dual-panoramic sunroof
- Second-row Sofaro seats with Eames lounge chair mode, climate control, massage function and concealed table
- Second-row door smartbar screen
- Camera in the second-row for video conferencing
- 30-speaker Yamaha surround sound system (including 8 in-seat integrated speaker)
Price in Malaysia: RM 349,800 (Luxury), RM 359,800 (Ultra Luxury)
Interesting Factoid: The Volvo EM90 is incidentally a rebadged version of the Zeekr 009.
Maxus MIFA 9
Powertrain: Fully Electric
- Single-motor front-wheel drive (245 PS, 350 Nm of torque)
- 90 kWh Li-ion battery
- 0-100 km/h 9.2 seconds
- WLTP Range: 435 km (Luxury), 430 km (Premium
- AC charging: 11 kW (5-100% in 8.5 hours)
- DC charging: 120 kW (30-80% in 30 minutes)
Seats: 7 (2-2-3)
Kit List Highlights:
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen
- 64-colour interior ambient lighting
- Heated and ventilated front seats with massage (Premium only)
- Chamois leather seat upholstery (Premium only, knitted fabric in Luxury)
- 12-speaker JBL sound system (Premium only, 8 in Luxury)
Price in Malaysia: RM 269,888 (Luxury), RM 289,888 (Premium)
Interesting Factoid: The Maxus MIFA 9 was to be the first-ever fully-electric MPV officially sold in Malaysia.
Confirmed Coming Soon
Denza D9
Estimated Local Arrival Window: Q1 2025
Powertrain: Fully Electric
*Based on Thai Specification*
- Single-motor front-wheel drive (313 PS, 360 Nm of torque) or Dual-motor all-wheel drive (612 PS, 693 Nm of torque)
- 103 kWh BYD Blade LFP battery
- 0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds (FWD), 6.9 seconds (AWD)
- WLTP range: 520 km (FWD), 480 km (AWD)
- AC charging: 11 kW
- DC charging: 166 kW
Seats: 7 (2-2-3)
Potential Kit List Highlights:
*Based on Thai Specification*
- DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control System with adaptive dampers
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen (non-rotatable)
- 12.0-inch head-up display
- 7.5-litre dual temperature mode (cooling and heating) refrigerator
- Tri-zone climate control with negative ion purifier
- Front seat ventilation and massage function
- 10-way power-adjustable second-row captain chairs with ventilation, massage function and integrated armrest control panel
- 14-speaker Dynaudio HiFi-class surround sound system
Price in Malaysia: TBD
Price in Thailand: 1,999,900 baht (RM260,000, Premium FWD), 2,699,900 baht (RM350,000, Performance AWD)
Interesting Factoid: Aside from its all-electric powertrain, the Denza D9 is also to be available in China with a DM-i PHEV heart as well. And if what BYD previously said about the local launch of its Denza sub-brand over here is true, this plug-in hybrid variant may well be offered here eventually too.
Xpeng X9
Estimated Local Arrival Window: Q1 or Q2 2025
Powertrain: Fully Electric
*Based on Hong Kong RHD Specification*
- Single-motor front-wheel drive (320 PS, 450 Nm of torque)
- 84.5 kWh LFP battery (Standard Range), 101.5 kWh NMC battery (Extended Range)
- 0-100 km/h: 7.7 seconds
- WLTP range: 480 km (Standard Range), 575 km (Extended Range)
- AC charging: 11 kW
- DC charging: 330 kW (10-80% in 20 minutes)
Seats: 7 (2-2-3)
Potential Kit List Highlights:
*Based on Hong Kong RHD Specification*
- Active rear-axle steering (5º turning angle)
- Dual-chamber air suspension with variable damping and chassis pre-scanning
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 17.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen
- 21.4-inch roof-mounted display
- Windless surrounding air-conditioning
- Dual temperature mode (cooling and heating) refrigerator
- Panoramic glass roof
- Second-row ‘zero-gravity’ captain chairs with climate control and massage function
- Electrically-adjustable third-row headrest height and backrest recline
- Electrically-foldable third-row seats
- 23-speaker Xopera surround sound system
Price in Malaysia: TBD
Price in Hong Kong: HK$659,900 (RM375,000, FWD Standard Range), HK$699,900 (RM400,000, FWD Long Range)
Interesting Factoid: Xpeng has delivered over 20,000 units of the X9 in China in the subsequent 11 months since its launch in January. It has also recently added an 8-seater variant to its lineup in its home market.
GAC M8
Estimated Local Arrival Window: Q1 2025
Powertrain: PHEV
*Based on China Specification*
- 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor with 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (combined 373 PS, 630 Nm of torque)
- 0-100 km/h: 8.8 seconds
- CLTC range: 1,032 km (56-litre fuel tank + 25.57 kWh Li-ion battery)
- Pure EV range: 106 km
Seats: 7 (2-2-3)
Variants Teased For Local Launch: Premium, Premium Luxury
Potential Kit List Highlights:
*Based on China Specification*
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen
- 15.6-inch roof-mounted display
- Illuminated crystal sphere gear lever
- Second-row ‘Qingyun’ captain chairs with climate control and massage function and integrated armrest control screen
- 16-speaker Yamaha surround sound system (including in-seat integrated speaker for second row)
Price in Malaysia: TBD
Price in China: 322,800 yuan (RM 200,000) to 392,800 yuan (RM 240,000)
Interesting Factoid: This PHEV GAC people mover is technically to be known as the E9 in its home market, with the M8 name instead reserved for the purely-petrol version. This premium MPV is currently also to be sold in Vietnam by Tan Chong, but only the purely-petrol variants are available over there.
GWM WEY 80
Estimated Local Arrival Window: TBD
Powertrain: PHEV
*Based on China Specification*
- GWM Hi4 PHEV: 1.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder and an electric motor on each axle (combined 487 PS, 762 Nm of torque)
- 37.96 kWh NMC battery
- 0-100 km/h: 5.7 seconds
- Pure EV range: 140 km
Seats: 7 (2-2-3)
Potential Kit List Highlights:
*Based on China Specification*
- 12.5-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.5-inch central infotainment touchscreen
- 15.0-inch head-up display
- 12.5-litre refrigerator with independent compressor
- Power-adjustable second-row captain chairs with climate control, 10-point massage and lay-flat functionality
- 40:60 split-folding third-row seats
- 16-speaker Harmon Kardon surround sound system
- In-car intercom mode with call buttons for all 3 rows
- Air fragrance system
Price in Malaysia: TBD
Price in China: 350,000 yuan (RM 213,000) to 400,000 yuan (RM 245,000)
Interesting Factoid: The example that was most recently previewed locally at KLIMS was actually to be the standard wheelbase Wey 80, with there to be an even-longer 5.4-metre extended wheelbase version offered in China. And just for context here, the LWB GWM will be even longer than an LWB Range Rover.
The Budget Option
BYD M6
Powertrain: Fully Electric
- Single-motor front-wheel drive (Standard: 163 PS, 310 Nm of torque; Extended: 204 PS, 310 Nm of torque)
- 55.4 kWh BYD Blade LFP battery (Standard), 71.8 kWh BYD Blade LFP battery (Extended)
- 0-100 km/h: 10.1 seconds (Standard), 8.6 seconds (Extended)
- WLTP range: 360 km (Standard), 450 km (Extended)
- AC charging: 7 kW
- DC charging: 89 kW (Standard), 115 kW (Extended)
Seats: 7 (2-2-3)
Kit List Highlights:
- 12.8-inch rotatable central infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Ventilated front seats (Extended variant only)
- 6-speaker sound system
- In-car karaoke microphone
- NFC digital key
- Panoramic sunroof (Extended variant only)
Price in Malaysia: RM 109,800 (Standard), RM 129,800 (Extended)
Interesting Factoid: The BYD M6 is the currently the only 7-seater EV on sale in Malaysia that is priced under the RM 200,000 mark, and looks to remain so for the foreseeable future.
