2025 Toyota Alphard Z

[Sakura]

I drive a luxury minivan as my other vehicle. I chose this car because it’s plush, very luxurious, and offers plenty of cargo space. I usually use it for getting around town for my violin business, as it provides a secure and well-protected space for transporting instruments.

I purchased the original model in 2017, equipped with a 2.5L inline-4 ICE engine, producing about 180 horsepower. It cost me about $60k back in 2017. It has most luxuries including power seats, wooden dash, etc. Here’s a photo:



Now I am being offered a production slot for 2025 for the upper model called the Z model. Obviously, it has gone a lot of face lift and this time it will be hybrid with newer engine 2.5l V4 plus electric motors. It produces 250hp. The cost is around $80k new. Here're the photos:





I also have the option to order a lower model called the X, priced at around $60K. It has the same engine and suspension as the upper model but lacks several luxury features. For example, it comes with manual adjustable seats instead of power seats, fabric upholstery instead of leather, a smaller 9-inch LCD screen instead of the larger 14-inch screen, and 17 inches wheels instead of 18. Additionally, the driver's side window does not have UV protection, though the windshield does. In contrast, the Z model includes both UV and IR protection for the driver’s side window and windshield.

The question is whether the $20K difference is worth upgrading to the Z model. The salesman mentioned that the Z model has better resale value. What do you think?

 

[Luzifer]

If you don't care for the extra luxury I'd go for the X.
The X, no leather to crack or wrinkle,
UV protection... Get some window tint.
17" screen do you need to play video games??
Manual seat... Do you need to adjust them every time you get in? If not set it once and you won't need to play with it for the next several years.
You just saved 20K, you can use that on something else.

 

[Sakura]

If you don't care for the extra luxury I'd go for the X.
The X, no leather to crack or wrinkle,
UV protection... Get some window tint.
17" screen do you need to play video games??
Manual seat... Do you need to adjust them every time you get in? If not set it once and you won't need to play with it for the next several years.
You just saved 20K, you can use that on something else.

You made a lot of good points!

My current ride has power seat and fabric. The seat moves to its original position from saved preset settings when I turn off the car and vice versa. Not a deal breaker but it's really convenient feature. It gives me some leg room to get in and out of the car. I think it's only the unavailability of power seats that bugs me otherwise I'd go for X. There is no option to upgrade to power seat for X.

I agree with fabric I won't ever need to worry about leather cracking.

I also agree that huge screen (14 inches) is overkill considering I have 7 inches screen now.

I still have about 2 days to consider before I buy it on Wednesday.

 

[Luzifer]

My C7 has memory seat and it is a must as I have to back it up all the way and back up right to get in and out. Doing it manually would be a huge problem for me to reposition 3 settings.

The H has electric adjustments but it's so spacious I don't need to touch it. It could be manual I wouldn't care. Except it can go up and down (a must as I have to drop it low). It doesn't exist on manual seats since they would be on rails.

 

[Sakura]

My C7 has memory seat and it is a must as I have to back it up all the way and back up right to get in and out. Doing it manually would be a huge problem for me to reposition 3 settings.

The H has electric adjustments but it's so spacious I don't need to touch it. It could be manual I wouldn't care. Except it can go up and down (a must as I have to drop it low). It doesn't exist on manual seats since they would be on rails.

Yes, that memory seat is really convenient as it backs itself out. I sometimes change my shoes from sport to dress shoes, so need some leg space. But is this worth $20k I’m not really sure.

Besides that power seat, it comes with options that are pure cosmetics like leather, wood panels look, large screen, moving blinking lights. Everything else is mostly the same. I will take another look at the Z model tomorrow. They don’t have X on the lot (factory hasn’t made one - it exists only in photos), so I can’t really make real life comparison.

 

[Luzifer]

Ask yourself is 20K a drop in the bucket for you?
If you are pondering about the extra 20K then I think it bothers you.
Will you get 20K more satisfaction?

 

[Sakura]

Ask yourself is 20K a drop in the bucket for you?
If you are pondering about the extra 20K then I think it bothers you.
Will you get 20K more satisfaction?

I don't mind spending extra money if it gives me some values. For example, spending $20k on features that don’t help resale isn’t ideal, but if they do and add convenience, it’s worth it. Frankly speaking, I'm not 100% sure if it adds resale. Would be better if they have X on the lot so I can make the comparison. Usually I will know this (gut feeling) when I sit in the car. But alas, they only have the upper grade (Z) on the lot. It felt good with all that options when I sat in it.

 

[Sakura]

I visited my dealer again today to try everything out. I even brought my violin cases to check if they fit on the captain seats. I explored everything inside the car, touching the screen, buttons, and even running my fingers across the leather. It has volume and temperature knobs, even though you can control those from the screen. I think they might have taken inspiration by steering clear of the poor screen design in the new Lambo. The seats seem to be a combination of leather and fabric, likely to prevent cracking or overheating in the summer. It also has automatic privacy screens that can be controlled from the dashboard.

I negotiated, even though the salesman insisted the price was fixed (sure...). They didn’t discount the car, but I got 10% more for my trade-in and an upgrade to three layers of ceramic coating instead of the standard two. I told them I’d order right away if they met my offer. They agreed, and now I’m the proud owner of the new Z!

I was considering the X, but it felt too similar to what I drive now, just without the power seats. Sometimes, a change is good to shake things up and avoid boredom.

The car is scheduled for delivery in February and will enter production on January 2nd. I think I might be among the first to get the 2025 model.

I’ll take more photos and maybe a video once the car is delivered!

 

[Sakura]

I’ve attached its 64-page dealer catalog. I scanned it.

It’s in Japanese, but I’m sure you can figure it out

 

[Luzifer]

Congratulations on the new car!

 

[Sakura]

Congratulations on the new car!

Thanks bro

 

[Goose81]

Congratulations on the new whip!

 

[Sakura]

Congratulations on the new whip!

Thank you so much! I made the wire in full, rather than down payment, yesterday, so the deal is now sealed. I don’t usually do this before I get the car, but I figured it’s safe since no Toyota dealer ever go bankrupt.

 

[Luzifer]

Thank you so much! I made the wire in full, rather than down payment, yesterday, so the deal is now sealed. I don’t usually do this before I get the car, but I figured it’s safe since no Toyota dealer ever go bankrupt.

I bet they don't see that often, someone who buys a car outright before it's even built!

 

[Sakura]

I bet they don't see that often, someone who buys a car outright before it's even built!

You're absolutely right about that! The salesman seemed quite surprised when I spoke with him over the phone Now they're feeling the pressure to deliver the car quickly since I get to keep driving my trade-in until the new one arrives.

My bank wire made yesterday:

 

[Sakura]

Delivered! Picked it up yesterday and today it rained like the coming of Noah's flood. Why oh why.

Nevertheless It drives awesome in the rain. It has something like next gen power steering and suspension. It has 360 degree cameras, 360 degree sensors, blind spots sensors, etc. I think I can drive it with my eyes closed!

 

[Luzifer]

Congratulations on the new car, it even comes with stars in the photograph! Is it common to have english buttons even though it's not the main language of the country?

 

[Sakura]

Congratulations on the new car, it even comes with stars in the photograph! Is it common to have english buttons even though it's not the main language of the country?

Thanks!! If you look closely, you can see me holding a magical wand at the back....

Everything on the display panel, including the electronic gauge, is in Japanese. However, the buttons remain in English, with labels like FRONT, BACK, PWR, etc. I’m not sure of the exact reason for this, but it might be because Japanese users are familiar with electronics. Japanese cassette tapes and recorders are marked the same way. It could also be to keep things simpler for overseas customers.

 

[REKIII]

Late to this discussion, but congrats on the new car! You say the ample cargo space is for Violins, but we know it's for you large scale gold purchases.
This is probably off-topic for this thread.....but why are you and the salesperson masking? I know some countries look at this differently or have different mandates, so consider this a question out of ignorance as opposed to judgement.

 

[Sakura]

!Late to this discussion, but congrats on the new car! You say the ample cargo space is for Violins, but we know it's for you large scale gold purchases.
This is probably off-topic for this thread.....but why are you and the salesperson masking? I know some countries look at this differently or have different mandates, so consider this a question out of ignorance as opposed to judgement.

Thank you !

Masking is part of Japanese culture since the 90s and very common here. People wear them anytime when they catch cold to avoid germs transmission or to avoid pollens, UV rays, or just for privacy. I have like tons masks and switch them regularly. Never catch any cold or flu for years now with this habit. Females never approached me too because I look scary with just my eyes LOL