Toyota Alphard incoming? Could the Lexus LM people mover's confirmation for Australia ease a path to entry for the soon-to-arrive, next-generation version of Toyota's Kia Carnival rival?

This week Lexus Australia confirmed it will bring the just-released new-generation LM luxury people mover to the local market.

Which dramatically shortens the odds of Toyota’s Alphard, the people mover the premium newcomer is based on, also appearing in local showrooms.

An all-new, fourth-generation version of the evergreen ‘mini van’, and its slightly narrower Vellfire twin-under-the skin, is due to be unveiled in the first half of this year. 

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Grainy images of the new Alphard and Vellfire have leaked online, showing much sharper aero-influenced exterior designs, while media in China and Taiwan was also recently given glimpses of the new vehicles in a pre-launch press presentation.

BestCarWeb in Japan has taken things one step further with detailed renders based on those images and additional shots of the car’s dash layout and distinctive partial glass roof.

With the Lexus LM and new Alphard sharing drivetrains and riding on the same ‘TNGA’ platform, the task of certifying the latter for Australian Design Rule compliance has been made that much easier. 

Grainy images of the new Alphard and Vellfire have leaked online. (Image: Cocoon Kumamoto)

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These images show much sharper aero-influenced exterior designs. (Image: Cocoon Kumamoto)

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As does adoption of the full ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ ADAS suite featuring active tech including AEB, adaptive cruise, front and rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, ‘Lane Trace Assist’, auto high beam and more.

It’s likely the Alphard would be powered by one or both of the turbo-petrol four-cylinder hybrid powertrains set to be offered in the Lexus LM.

The efficiency-focused 2.5-litre (A25A-FXS) ‘Atkinson Cycle’ turbo-petrol four-cylinder sends 140kW/239Nm to the front wheels, with electric support coming in the shape of a series parallel motor on the front or both axles (134kW/270Nm and 40kW/121Nm, respectively). Combined power: 184kW.

An all-new, fourth-generation version of the evergreen ‘mini van’ is due to be unveiled in the first half of this year. (Image: BestCarWeb)

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Media in China and Taiwan was also recently given glimpses of the new vehicles in a pre-launch press presentation. (Image: BestCarWeb)

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The Lexus LM and new Alphard share drivetrains and ride on the same ‘TNGA’ platform. (Image: BestCarWeb)

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Less likely, but possible, is the LM’s performance-oriented 2.4-litre (T24A-FTS) 202kW/460Nm petrol engine driving the front wheels, with a 64kW/292Nm synchronous, permanent magnet electric motor at the front, and a 76kW/169kW on the rear axle, for ‘E-Four’ all-wheel drive. Combined power: 273kW.

A 3.5-litre (220kW/361Nm) naturally aspirated petrol V6 and eight-speed auto combination is available in the current Japanese domestic market Alphard, but would be a long-shot for Australian sale in the new-generation version.

With Kia’s Carnival averaging more than 1000 monthly registrations so far in 2023, and Toyota’s niche Granvia recording fewer than eight sales a month, Toyota will be looking closely at what is now a re-energised people mover segment.

At the time of writing 60 Alphards and more than 40 Vellfires were listed for sale on Autotrader.

It’s also worth noting the Alphard and Vellfire are already Aussie family favourites in the low-volume, parallel import market, with a high on-road profile locally.

At the time of writing 60 Alphards and more than 40 Vellfires were listed for sale on Autotrader.

When asked for comment on the possibility of the new Alphard/Vellfire coming to the local market, a Toyota Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide: “Toyota is always considering exciting new models as they become available for our market, but we have no announcements to make today.”

They didn’t say no!