Verdict
The Toyota Alphard AH40 is the materially more capable family flagship: its 2.4-litre turbo makes 430 Nm, 90 Nm more than the AH30’s 3.5-litre V6, and its eight-speed automatic, Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise control bring useful everyday gains. It also cuts annual road tax from RM2,370 to RM754. But the RM139,600 gap is substantial, while both remain seven-seat, front-wheel-drive Japanese CBU MPVs on a 3,000 mm wheelbase. For a Malaysian buyer watching purchase cost, the AH30 remains the sensible route; the AH40 justifies itself through its safety and cabin-tech advantage.
Pick the Toyota Alphard AH30 if RM408,400, a 268 hp naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and 12 cup holders matter more than the newer car’s driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Toyota Alphard AH40 if you want 430 Nm, an eight-speed automatic, 360-degree camera and Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision braking.
Key differences
- Price: Toyota Alphard AH30 RM408,400; Toyota Alphard AH40 RM548,000.
- Powertrain: AH30 3,456 cc naturally aspirated V6, 268 hp and 340 Nm; AH40 2,393 cc turbo, 274 hp and 430 Nm.
- Transmission: AH30 six-speed automatic; AH40 Direct Shift eight-speed automatic.
- Size and weight: AH30 4,915 mm long, 1,895 mm tall and 2,070 kg; AH40 5,010 mm long, 1,950 mm tall and 2,235 kg.
- Safety assistance: AH30 has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; AH40 has pre-collision braking from 4-120 km/h with pedestrian detection and steering…
- Road tax and fuel tank: AH30 RM2,370 per year with a 65-litre tank; AH40 RM754 per year with a 75-litre tank.
AH30
- RM139,600 cheaper to buy.
- 268 hp 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6.
- Seven three-point seat belts and a driver knee airbag.
- 340 Nm is 90 Nm down on the AH40.
- No autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
- Six-speed automatic versus the AH40’s eight-speed unit.
AH40
- 430 Nm turbo engine and eight-speed automatic.
- Pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
- 14-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker JBL audio.
- RM139,600 more expensive.
- 2,235 kg, 165 kg heavier than the AH30.
- Six cup holders versus the AH30’s 12, and six three-point belts versus seven.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM408,400✓ | RM548,000 |
| Body type | MPV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,370 | RM754✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | 3,456 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | 274 hp✓ |
| Torque | 340 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic with Super ECT | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 6 | 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 | 4,915 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 |
| Weight | 2,070 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | — | 510 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Toyo Tranpath R30 | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 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 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 | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED 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 with Shoulder Switch | 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 with nanoe | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe | 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 | 4 Front, 4 Middle Row, 4 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear window sun shades | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 7.0" Touchscreen Radio DVD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Navigation and 8 speakers, 10.2" Rear Monitor | 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 | Powered boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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.
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AH30 vs AH40 FAQ
Is the Toyota Alphard AH30 or Toyota Alphard AH40 better?
The AH40 is better equipped and more powerful, with 430 Nm, an eight-speed automatic and active safety systems. The AH30 is the better buy if lower upfront cost matters, retaining seven seats, front-wheel drive and a 3.5-litre V6.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard AH40 costs RM139,600 more than the AH30. Its lower annual road tax saves RM1,616 a year, but that does not quickly close the purchase-price gap.
Which Alphard has the better safety equipment?
The AH40 does. It adds blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, collision warning, lane steering correction, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The AH30 has ABS, stability control and airbags, but no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
