Toyota Alphard versus Toyota Sienna

[top_speed]

I am in a hunt now for a high-end MPV. I have narrowed my choice to the Alphard and the Sienna, both built by Toyota. I must admit, when I saw a 2011 Toyota Sienna LE a couple of weeks back and I couldn't keep it off my mind. It's exterior is beautiful. When I started to do research it though, I came to know that it has a sibling, the Alphard, which is sold locally by TMC. On issue of warranty, service and price( 3M for the Alphard versus 3.5M for the Sienna V6 Limited), the Alphard appears to be the safer choice. However, I give the Sienna higher mark on looks. Other than these, I still would like to know more about these two. Any insights on which I should buy?

[number001]

This is what C! Magazine issue #109 Feb 2011 has to say on this matter:

I bring this up because the going rate of a dubiously tax paid top of the line 2011 Toyota Sienna V6 in the gray market ranges from Php 3.5 to Php 3.7 Million WITHOUT the security of a factory warranty. The Sienna looks great and drives extremely well to be sure but it was designed to be driven specifically in the US which means the suspension, brakes, electrical system, cooling system and fuel system has been calibrated and deliberately tuned for 4 seasons, lower humidity, and crucially, superior road surfaces and driving conditions-more highway than traffic. Buy at your own risk. Save the money and get the Alphard 3.5 which has 90% of the Sienna for less money backed by a 3 year factory warranty.

[tidus1203]

Siguro mas safe ang Alphard pero ewan mas nagugutuhan ko itsura ng Sienna. North American mini-van's just look way better than Asian mini-vans...

[top_speed]

Thanks for your inputs. The designed, calibrated, tuned, etc., for the US market make sense, but I am waiting for testimonies of actual experience among the lucky few who have tried or tested both. By the way, what did C-mag mean that the Alphard has 90% of what one can get from the Sienna? Is this an admission that the Sienna is superior?

[niky]

The Sienna is just bigger and wider. The Alphard isn't cramped, though... not if you're used to Japanese width cars.

Nowadays, a US-market import isn't such a big risk, not like the old days when they would regularly overheat because the radiators couldn't take the heat. But it's still not built with Tropical conditions in mind, so rubber and other fittings might suffer from the heat and humidity.

I'd prefer an Alphard. The only reason to go gray market is if you're paying less than if you were buying in the dealership. If you're paying more... what's the point?

[number001]

Quote from the same C! Magazine article

Yes he does admit the Sienna is better, but the article is not clear on which area it did better than the Alphard.

The 3.5 liter V6 in the Alphard is even more potent than the unit used in the US-only Sienna V6 which weighs over 200 pounds more. The larger Sienna is ultimately better than the Alphard but like I mentioned earlier it is not sold officially in the Philippines.

Kevin Limjoco is the author of that article. I would believe him if he says that getting gray market units are not as advisable compared to the locally distributed units. The guy owned and owns a couple of imported units. From that he would know what are the pitfalls of such endeavor.

For example, in the same article he chronicles his experience with one of their imported unit, a 2005 Nissan Quest SE. They brought it in fully tax paid brand new for Php 2.6 million.

There is no warranty, registration every year is a royal pain, no Nissan dealer nor the plant can service it...The car was built for US driving conditions so even with only the equivalent of 40,000 kilometers on the odometer after 6 years it has already had its brakes replaced 3 times (rotors and pads), the tires changed 3 times and myriad of other things fixed every year. It may standout in the crowd but I wouldn't recommend getting another

[renzo_d10]

This



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Looks wise, I'd prefer the Sienna over the Alphard but practicality wise ? Alphard hands down. Having a local vehicle over an imported one who isn't seen on the road often, unlike the imported Starexes & LC's, is really an opportunity to grab especially if it's tied with a cheaper tag & with much more " security " features to boot. Being safe, after all, isn't always a bad decision.

[top_speed]

I'd prefer an Alphard. The only reason to go gray market is if you're paying less than if you were buying in the dealership. If you're paying more... what's the point?

Good point. In fact, it's so hard to justify paying almost twice the US price. For those who have seen both in the flesh, who has got the more classier interior, in both the materials used and design?

Number001, thanks for sharing important excerpts of that CMag article.

[niky]

Haven't ridden or driven the Sienna.

The Alphard is a lot like the Previa... only wider and with a better ride. Handling and acceleration are terrific... it's like driving a tall Camry V6. The captain's chairs in the back are very luxurious, and the leather is nice.

The big problem is it's not quite as wide as a US-Spec minivan like the Sienna or even the Carnival... but as long as you're not sitting three-across in the back, you won't mind.

[top_speed]

As of this writing, I'm tilting towards the Sienna for sheer size and looks. I have a stupid question though, will there be a Toyota official dealer in Manila who will accept the Sienna for normal mileage servicing?

[number001]

There's no need to bring it to Toyota dealers. They wouldn't have the slightest idea around the vehicle. And service personnel at dealers these days are filled with OJTs or contractuals. They have nice clean uniforms on and clean shaven but they are no different from those grease monkeys operating backyard talyers.

Just look for a competent and reliable shop/garage. You also need to do some research, purchase/import certain consumables for the Sienna (ie. Oil filter, air filter, brake pads, etc...). Compatible substitutes maybe available locally.

[vinj]

I'd lean more on the Alphard due to the following:
- Its designed for local conditions (suspension, cooling and AC system, and engine tuning); aside from the C! Mag article mentioned above, TGP also mentioned before that there was quite a difference in the performance of the locally distributed Mini Cooper and imported units which was possibly due to calibration for our fuel quality and temperature. As Niky said though, this may not be true already in most cars today but heck, its still a good precaution to look into.
- Parts (even if the Sienna shares bits and components with the Alphard). Heck, even with our 'ol reliable LC80 which was locally distributed and with independent shops/part sellers and surplus parts available, we had to wait for 15 days for a cooling system gasket from Toyota as even the usual independent Toyota suppliers I go to could not source the part immediately. What the more for a US market vehicle which isn't sold en masse?
- Ease of resale. When i want to sell, i want to sell something easily and still get some respectable residual value (family had a few imported vehicles before and selling them was not as easy if we wanted to get a fair price).
- Features and price. The Alphard already has most of the doodads and adding a good set of aftermarket rims will make it look quite good.

[top_speed]

Again, thanks for your replies.

By the way, which Toyota dealer in Metro Manila has an Alphard on display right now? I want to see it in the flesh.

[number001]

Again, thanks for your replies.

By the way, which Toyota dealer in Metro Manila has an Alphard on display right now? I want to see it in the flesh.

There is a beige Alphard at Toyota Cubao yesterday. It is for release. Not sure when though. Maybe its still there.

[eggman]

According sa reports eh safe na mini van sa U.S ang Toyota Sienna..Mahal nga lang ang grey market units nito.

The Toyota Alphard is much better especially makakapili ka ng dalawang engine variants(2.4 Liter and 3.5 Liter V6 variants).

[jojoR]

+1 on the alphard.

there won't be an issue with servicing but it parts, or body parts rather in case you get rear-ended or a fender bender *knock on wood* parts would be available in your local casa.

[GTi]

I'd go for the V6 Alphard. Scarcity of parts is a big problem. You wouldn't want the car to be sitting in the garage for months just because a certain part had to be imported from the States.

But if you're really, really after the minivan looks. There is one other minivan in the local market that might satisfy your needs. Would you consider the Kia Carnival? Its got Chrysler Town and Country-like looks, is very well accepted in the States, got 5 star NHTSA crash ratings and a much more economical engine. If you get from the grey market (Hancars gives same 5 year warranty as local dealers), you can have the same 197hp/436Nm 2.2R e-VGT engine found in the Sorento and Santa Fe. The local version has the less powerful 2.9L 160hp/352Nm engine.

[eggman]

Puwede naman ipagawa sa Toyota dealers yang Sienna pero matatagalan bago makakuha ng parts yung dealer bago ma-fix yung Sienna.

Advantages lang naman ng Sienna ay may AWD sya (though this option is expensive) at ang 3rd row seats nya ay tulad sa Kia Carnival at Chrysler Town & Country.

Still the Toyota Alphard is the best choice!