The third-generation Alphard looks like Toyota finally stopped apologising for making a gigantic luxury MPV.

The design is considerably more imposing than the second generation. The front grille is enormous, the body is tall and wide, and the headlights give the Alphard a distinctly executive appearance.

The basic dimensions tell the story. The early third-generation 2.5 S measures around 4,935mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,880mm high, riding on a 3,000mm wheelbase.

Later versions stretch to around 4,950mm, depending on grade.

In Bangladesh, this creates two completely different experiences.

On the highway, the size makes the Alphard feel planted and substantial.

In a narrow Dhaka street, it makes you question why you didn't buy a motorcycle.

The large sliding doors are wonderfully practical. Loading passengers is easy, and the doors don't require enormous space beside the vehicle.

Higher grades bring larger alloy wheels, LED lighting, body kits, sunroof/moonroof, power doors and other visual upgrades.

The S and SC versions are particularly aggressive-looking, while G and Executive Lounge versions lean more toward understated luxury.

And this is one of the reasons the third-generation Alphard became so desirable in Bangladesh.

It doesn't merely look expensive.

It looks important.

Cabin Comfort & Practicality

Inside, the third-generation Alphard is less like a minivan and more like a Japanese private lounge. The 3,000mm wheelbase creates a huge passenger compartment, while the seven-seat layout gives the second row the kind of space normally associated with executive vehicles. The captain's chairs are the star. Depending on grade, they can feature:

• Ottoman leg rests
• Power adjustment
• Leather upholstery
• Heating
• Ventilation
• Memory functions
• Armrests
• Large reclining ranges

This is why the 7-seat Alphard is so desirable. An eight-seat version is more practical if maximum passenger capacity is important, but the seven-seat configuration is the luxury choice. The third row remains useful, and the seating can be folded when luggage capacity is needed. Air-conditioning is another major advantage for Bangladesh. With seven passengers inside an Alphard during a humid summer afternoon, rear climate control isn't merely a luxury feature. It is a public-service requirement. Higher grades can also include premium audio, large displays, navigation, rear entertainment, ambient lighting, sunshades and other luxury equipment. The interior's biggest enemy isn't design. It's age. A 2015 Alphard is now more than a decade old. Power doors, seat motors, electronic controllers, sensors, screens and AC components need to be checked carefully. A good one still feels magnificent. A neglected one can become magnificent at emptying your bank account. Use the detailed image gallery to see the cabin from different angles and the full specifications and features for the complete equipment list. Against comparable cars, Mazda 3 gives you a direct alternative. The Toyota Alphard 2.5 X makes the strongest case when its seating, storage and convenience features fit the way you actually drive.

The third-generation Alphard's equipment is where the model starts feeling genuinely modern.

Depending on grade and year, buyers could get:

• Smart key
• Push-button start
• Power sliding doors
• Power tailgate
• Leather
• Power seats
• Ottoman seats
• Heated seats
• Ventilated seats
• Sunroof
• Moonroof
• Navigation
• Premium audio
• Rear entertainment
• 360-degree camera
• Parking sensors
• Toyota Safety Sense

The important point for CarHub is that these features evolved throughout the generation.

A 2015 2.5 X is not equivalent to a 2022 2.5 S Type Gold III.

Toyota's catalogue shows that the generation received several model updates, including major changes in 2018, 2020 and 2021/2022.

This makes the third-generation Alphard particularly suitable for CarHub's generation → variant architecture.

The vehicle should have year-specific equipment rather than one giant generic feature list.

And then there is the Bangladesh aftermarket.

A local Alphard may have:

• Android screen
• Digital meter
• LED conversion
• Aftermarket camera
• Additional monitors
• Custom leather
• Ambient lighting
• Upgraded speakers

Those modifications can be useful, but they should not be mistaken for original factory equipment.

Safety & Driver Assistance

The third-generation Alphard is significantly more advanced in safety than the first and second generations.

ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, airbags and stability-related systems provide the foundation.

Then Toyota progressively added active safety technology.

Later vehicles equipped with Toyota Safety Sense can offer technologies such as:

• Pre-Collision System
• Lane Departure Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beam

Higher grades can additionally offer blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assistance and camera systems.

But again, year and grade matter.

A 2015 Alphard shouldn't automatically receive the same ADAS specification as a late 2022/2023 vehicle.

For Bangladesh buyers, physical condition remains equally important.

A car can have ten airbags listed in a brochure and still be a poor safety purchase if it has been badly crashed and repaired.

Inspect the chassis.

Check the SRS warning system.

Check the ABS system.

Check the airbags.

Check the tyres.

And, most importantly, check the auction history. For the complete equipment breakdown, see the full safety review and the full specifications and features. The full features review puts the safety kit alongside the rest of the vehicle's technology, while the driving experience review explains how the car behaves on the road. You can also browse the detailed image gallery, owner reviews, and all variants before comparing the Toyota Alphard 2.5 X with Mazda 3 and Honda CR-V give you direct alternatives. These details give the Toyota Alphard 2.5 X a clearer safety picture for everyday use.

The 2.5L produces 182 PS and 235 Nm and uses Toyota's Super CVT-i.

It is smooth.

Very smooth.

The CVT keeps the engine operating efficiently and avoids the constant gear-shifting sensation of an old conventional automatic.

But remember what it is moving.

A 2015 2.5 S is around 1,940kg, while higher-grade versions can exceed two tonnes.

So the 2.5L isn't going to turn your Alphard into a Supra.

It provides enough power for normal driving.

It cruises comfortably.

It overtakes reasonably.

But fill the vehicle with seven adults, luggage and a full load of air-conditioning and the physics department becomes involved.

The 3.5L V6 is the answer if you want effortless acceleration.

The 2.5L is the answer if you want reasonable ownership economics.

And the ride?

Excellent.

The Alphard's suspension is tuned around comfort. It absorbs poor road surfaces, keeps passengers isolated and encourages relaxed driving.

It doesn't want to attack corners.

It wants to carry the family to Cox's Bazar while everyone in the back sleeps.

And frankly, that is exactly what a luxury MPV should do.