Toyota Alphard: AH30 vs AH40
Verdict
This is a clear old-versus-new Alphard call. The AH30 keeps the same 7-seat MPV layout and 3,000 mm wheelbase, and it asks far less money, but its 3,456 cc petrol engine gives you 268 hp/340 Nm and RM2,370 annual road tax. The AH40 costs RM139,600 more, yet brings 274 hp/430 Nm from 2,393 cc, AEB, a 75-litre tank, 9.0 L/100 km and 510 litres of boot space. For a Malaysian buyer, the newer car’s lower road tax is hard to ignore.
Pick the Toyota Alphard AH30 if you want the cheaper way into a 7-seat Alphard and can live with the bigger 3,456 cc engine, RM2,370 road tax and no AEB shown here.
Pick the Toyota Alphard AH40 if you want the stronger 430 Nm output, AEB, 9.0 L/100 km fuel figure and lower RM754 road tax, and the higher buy-in is acceptable.
Key differences
- Price: AH30 RM408,400; AH40 RM548,000
- Engine: AH30 3,456 cc petrol; AH40 2,393 cc petrol
- Power and torque: AH30 268 hp/340 Nm; AH40 274 hp/430 Nm
- Road tax: AH30 RM2,370/year; AH40 RM754/year
- Fuel tank: AH30 65 litres; AH40 75 litres
- Airbags: AH30 7; AH40 6
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 408,400✓ | RM 548,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 3,456 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Power | 268 hp | 274 hp✓ |
| Torque | 340 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 0.0 s | — |
| Top speed | 0 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 9.0 L/100km |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| CO₂ | 0 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,895 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Boot space | — | 510 L |
| Fuel tank | 65 L | 75 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 2,370 | RM 754✓ |
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.
AH30
- Much lower purchase price
- Seven airbags versus six in the AH40
- Same 3,000 mm wheelbase as the AH40
- RM2,370 annual road tax
- Only 340 Nm beside the AH40’s 430 Nm
- AEB is not listed
AH40
- 430 Nm from a smaller 2,393 cc engine
- RM754 annual road tax
- AEB, 9.0 L/100 km and 510-litre boot
- RM139,600 dearer than the AH30
- Six airbags, one fewer than the AH30
- Still front-wheel drive with a conventional automatic
AH30 vs AH40 FAQ
Is the Toyota Alphard AH30 or Toyota Alphard AH40 better?
The Toyota Alphard AH40 is better on paper: 274 hp, 430 Nm, AEB, 9.0 L/100 km and RM754 road tax. The AH30 suits buyers who prioritise the lower purchase price and accept 340 Nm, RM2,370 road tax and no AEB listed.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard AH40 costs RM139,600 more than the Toyota Alphard AH30, at RM548,000 versus RM408,400.
Which Toyota Alphard is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
The Toyota Alphard AH40 is far cheaper to tax, at RM754 a year. The Toyota Alphard AH30’s larger 3,456 cc engine pushes annual road tax to RM2,370.