No turning back now!? A report on 3 comfortable dealer options for the Toyota Alphard

It's been almost a year since I purchased a new Alphard Z Hybrid. From the options chosen in this purchase, which totaled over 7.53 million yen, here are three features that I felt were truly beneficial.

"Is this really necessary?" The indecisive dealer (options) equipment

In May 2025, I took delivery of a Toyota Alphard Z Hybrid (2WD). The total payment amount was 7,537,395 yen, purchased in cash in one lump sum. This is the total amount including several optional features added to the mid-range "Z" model.

Before the purchase, I would often look at the options page and think, "Is this really necessary?" Each time I looked at the prices, I found myself hesitating, nearly convincing myself that "it would be fine without it."

However, now it has changed to "How did I manage without this?" Let's highlight three optional features that I've come to appreciate through family trips every weekend, weekday commutes, and occasional longer drives.

1. The Universal Step (66,000 yen) has become an invaluable presence

My previous car was a Mitsubishi Delica D:5. The model I drove did not come with a step, so I would hoist myself up every time I got in. I was used to it and never felt dissatisfied. Since I thought, "That's just how it is," I was uncertain about whether to add the universal step when switching to the Alphard.

The universal step for the Alphard (on both sides) is a genuine option that automatically extends every time the sliding doors are opened. The step height is about 22 cm. While the number alone may not resonate, the actual difference of this "one step" is quite significant when used in practice. When the step is in place and I helped my child get in, I immediately noticed the change. The child was able to quickly get in by themselves, eliminating the need for me to assist. When getting out, there was less to worry about as well. The child steps onto the step and safely descends to the ground without any trouble.

Even adults find it easy to get in and out. Because there is no moment of lifting the body, the act of getting in becomes smooth. This is especially true when you have items in both hands; trying to get in while your hands are full means you often need to brace yourself somewhere if there is no step. This issue is resolved with just one step. Moreover, when I went out with my parents, I was most grateful for the presence of the step. As people age, the actions of getting in and out over a height can be more burdensome than expected. They were able to get in and out at their own pace without needing assistance. Once you get used to this feeling, I think you'll physically feel the difference when you get into a car without a step.

2. The side and independent moonroof (132,000 yen) changes the atmosphere as soon as it is opened.

I added the moonroof with the feeling that "it might be nice to have." The reason for choosing it is more about the atmosphere than the value based on specifications. However, after actually using it, I found a level of satisfaction that exceeded the price.

In terms of functionality, it comes equipped with an electric sunroof that opens at both the front and back seats, and each shade for the left and right seats in the second row can be opened and closed individually. The ability to make detailed adjustments, such as "open only the front," "open only the back," or "open only the left," is something I have come to appreciate quietly since I started using it. More surprising than this functionality was the realization that just the amount of light that comes in when the sunroof is opened dramatically changes the impression of the interior.

When driving with the windows fully open, light streams into the back seat, transforming the interior into a completely different space. The child said, "I can see the sky," while gazing at the ceiling. Even such a simple thing somehow makes the journey feel more like an adventure.

Being able to operate the second-row seats independently is a subtle help for families. Even if the children in the back want to open their windows, the front seats can remain closed.

If asked whether it's a "necessity," I might hesitate, but if asked, "Should I have it?" I can immediately answer, "I'm glad I have it."

3. The heated and ventilated seats (available with Z grade and above) work better than the air conditioning.

All models of Z and Executive Lounge grades come standard with heated and ventilated seats not only for the driver's seat and front passenger seat but also for the rear seats. Since this equipment is determined by the vehicle grade, at the time of purchase, my feeling was more like, "Well, if it's included, that's fine." I couldn't quite grasp how practical the feature of "air coming from the seats" was, and to be honest, I didn't have high expectations.

The first time I turned on the seat ventilator switch was when I got into the car from a supermarket parking lot on a summer day. Naturally, the interior of the car, which had been parked in the blazing sun, was stuffy, and while turning on the air conditioning, I decided to give it a try. Within seconds, the heat on my back transformed into a cool sensation.

It takes time to cool the entire car interior with the air conditioning. However, the seat ventilators act directly on the seat surface and backrest, so the perceived temperature changes quickly. It's a feeling of "it's no longer hot" all at once, before the gradual sensation of "it's getting cooler."

The same applies in winter; on a cold morning, you get in and huddle up waiting for the seats to warm up... That waiting time is gone. From the moment you turn on the switch, a rush of "warmth" comes to your body.

Since it’s also available in the back seat, children and family members can adjust the seat temperature themselves. We no longer hear "it's cold in the back" or "it's hot in the back," which is especially helpful during long drives.

You might not use it every day, but it has become a standard feature. If it weren't there, it might be a bit inconvenient. This comfort is something that can only be explained through experience; you won’t truly understand it until you use it.

Almost a year has passed, and I reflect again

When I look back at the "equipment I’m glad I added," there’s a common point: they all enhance the "quality" of the time from before getting in to after getting out of the car. Separately from driving performance, they eliminate minor stresses with every getting in and out and how we spend time inside the car. The Alphard originally has a spacious interior and is highly quiet. With the addition of such features, it feels less like a means of transportation and more like a space for family time.

Saying "there's no turning back" is not an exaggeration. When I choose my next car, I probably won’t consider options that lack these features.

Interview and Text / SYURI

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