【Heat prevention in the car】The dedicated door glass sunshade for Alphard was more effective than I expected

As a summer measure for my beloved Alphard, I installed magnetic mesh curtains & sunshades. How effective are they against sunburn and gazes inside the car?

Does a door glass sunshade help prevent high temperatures inside the car!?

There are countless types of sunshades and curtains for cars, but with generic ones, the size doesn't fit just right. If it’s not effective after going through the trouble of installation, it defeats the purpose, so I didn’t want to compromise on the fact that I needed a product specifically made for the Alphard.

Naturally, I chose a type that is specifically designed to match the shape of the windows of the Alphard and Vellfire. I was attracted to its shape that fits perfectly on the driver and passenger side windows, so I decided to purchase it.

The product that arrived was contained in a compact black pouch, and upon taking it out, I found it to be sturdier and thicker than I had expected, made of quilted fabric.

Installation was a snap with magnets, and it was completed in just a few seconds.

It felt much heavier than it looked and I sensed that it has a construction that distinguishes it from simpler sunshades. Since it is specifically made for the Alphard, it has a rounded silhouette that matches the shape of the windows, with a zipper all around the edge.

The installation has magnets built into the edges of the sunshade, and when you bring it close to the metal part of the window frame, it sticks with a satisfying snap. In this state, the sunlight is almost completely cut off, and there are hardly any gaps.

When you unzip and open the window, you can ventilate with the mesh fabric

Opening the zipper reveals a fine mesh on the inside. By lowering the glass to let in outside air while preventing insects from entering like a screen door, it is convenient to open and close it depending on the intensity and location of the sunlight.

You can see the outside scenery vaguely through the mesh, and the intensity of direct sunlight feels softened, which is nice.

When not in use, it can be twisted into a figure-eight shape for compact storage.

When storing it when not in use, twist it diagonally in an 8-shape and gather it to the center to fold it into a compact size. It fits perfectly into the storage bag, making it easy to keep in the space under the dashboard or in the door pocket. Since there is wire in the frame of the sunshade, it may open with force when taking it out of the storage bag or when unfolding it from the folded state, so caution may be needed.

And how did the temperature inside the car change?

I measured the surface temperature of the seat to see how effective it really is. In the scorching heat with an outside temperature of 34°C, the thermometer showed a temperature of around 50°C without any measures taken. A seat hotter than body temperature—this is the cause of the heat.

When the sunshade is attached, the temperature is about 38°C. While it's still hotter than body temperature, I was surprised by the unexpected effectiveness of a 12°C difference. Not only the numbers, but the feeling when actually getting in is naturally different; there's no longer the scorching heat that I used to feel just sitting in the seat, and it has clearly become more comfortable. Perhaps because the seat no longer retains heat, the air conditioning also feels more effective. By the way, it's said that it can be used not just as a countermeasure against summer sunlight, but also to prevent cold air from entering in winter, so it seems useful regardless of the season.

It seems safe to go play by the sea or river.

By being able to block the gaze from outside, it has become easier to change clothes during beach or river play, making it more convenient to quickly change in the car.

Additionally, when taking breaks or naps at highway service areas (SA) or parking areas (PA), it is comfortable to block out stares. Even if I leave the window slightly open, I no longer have to worry about sunlight and gazes, so I can ventilate while safely closing my eyes.

Installation and removal take just a few seconds, and with this single piece, even during short moves, the interior of the car has transformed into a comfortable private space, which was a significant discovery. The perfect fit for vehicle-specific products is indeed nice.

Product name / Toyota Alphard Vellfire 40 series / 30 series Mesh Curtain & Sunshade 2in1
Compatible vehicle models / Alphard Vellfire 40 series (from June 2023), 30 series (from January 2015)
Contents / Sunshade ×2 (for driver and passenger seats), Installation tool ×1, Storage bag ×1
●autorder

Interview and text / SYURI

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