Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Toyota Alphard AH40 is the clear new-car choice if the RM223,732 jump from RM324,268 to RM548,000 is within reach. Its 2.4-litre turbo makes 274 hp and 430 Nm, against the AH20 Facelift’s 167 hp and 224 Nm, while adding a 510-litre boot, 360-degree camera and Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision braking. The AH20 Facelift remains the sensible used-route proposition: it is 255 kg lighter, retains seven three-point belts and gets a full-size spare, but its safety and cabin tech are a generation behind.
Pick the Toyota Alphard AH20 Facelift if you want the far lower RM324,268 entry price, seven three-point seat belts and a full-size spare wheel.
Pick the Toyota Alphard AH40 if you want 274 hp, 430 Nm, modern driver assistance and a more generously equipped seven-seat cabin.
Key differences
- Price: AH20 Facelift RM324,268; AH40 RM548,000.
- Power and torque: AH20 Facelift 167 hp and 224 Nm; AH40 274 hp and 430 Nm.
- Transmission: AH20 Facelift CVT with seven-step Sequential Shiftmatic; AH40 Direct Shift eight-speed automatic.
- Dimensions: AH20 Facelift 4,870 mm long on a 2,950 mm wheelbase; AH40 5,010 mm on a 3,000 mm wheelbase.
- Safety assist: AH20 Facelift has no autonomous braking or blind-spot monitor; AH40 gets pre-collision braking from 4-120 km/h and blind-spot monitoring.
- Warranty: AH20 Facelift three years/100,000 km; AH40 five years/unlimited mileage.
AH20 Facelift
- RM223,732 cheaper to buy.
- Seven three-point seat belts and a driver’s knee airbag.
- Full-size 17-inch spare wheel.
- 167 hp and 224 Nm trail the AH40’s 274 hp and 430 Nm.
- No autonomous emergency braking, lane steering correction or adaptive cruise control.
- Smaller 17-inch wheels and no stated boot capacity versus the AH40’s 19-inch wheels and 510 litres.
AH40
- 274 hp and 430 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
- 14-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker JBL audio.
- Costs RM223,732 more.
- At 2,235 kg, it is 255 kg heavier than the AH20 Facelift.
- Six three-point belts and a space-saver spare versus the AH20 Facelift’s seven belts and full-size spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM324,268✓ | RM548,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM730✓ | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | 2,362 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 167 hp | 274 hp✓ |
| Torque | 224 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 88.5 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT with 7 Speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | —✓ | 9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,950 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | — | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size 17 | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 17 | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17 | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two middle row passenger seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive Bi-Xenon Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Ottoman Captain Middle Row Seat, 50:50 Fold-up Last Row | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt only, Rear, Tilt and Slide | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 7.0" Touchscreen System with Bluetooth and 6 Speakers | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | — | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Soft close function | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power sliding with soft close function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch | Power sliding with soft close function |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
AH20 Facelift vs AH40 FAQ
Is the Toyota Alphard AH20 Facelift or Toyota Alphard AH40 better?
The AH40 is better equipped and much stronger, with 274 hp, 430 Nm, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera. Choose the AH20 Facelift only when its much lower purchase price, seven seat belts and full-size spare matter more than newer safety technology.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard AH40 costs RM223,732 more than the Toyota Alphard AH20 Facelift: RM548,000 against RM324,268.
Which Alphard has the better safety equipment?
The AH40 has the stronger safety suite. It adds blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, lane steering correction, all-seat belt reminders and adaptive cruise control. The AH20 Facelift counters with a driver’s knee airbag and seven three-point belts.