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The history of the Toyota Alphard
Let's start our Toyota Alphard campervan review with a brief history of the vehicle. The Toyota Alphard is a Japanese minivan that has been produced since 2002, with a hybrid variant first introduced in 2003. It’s primarily available in Japan but has been exported to some countries in eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East and Asia, and it is a popular import car for campervan conversions.
Having already been through three generations, the car is now considered one of the more luxurious options for a camper conversion thanks to its premium features and perfect size.
The first generation is still a popular option for cheaper conversions, launching with 2.4L and 3.0L petrol engines. In 2003 a 2.4L Hybrid joined the line-up, and since it has only changed in minor ways – engine sizes have slightly increased with later generations but there have always been those three options.
The latest models come with some great features as standard that, while not designed for campervan living, definitely make things a little more comfortable and convenient. Expect front and rear passenger air-conditioning, front and rear parking sensors and cameras, tinted windows and more.
And now there are a handful of specialist campervan converters that work with the Toyota Alphard, some exclusively so. The car lends itself really well to a conversion as it comes with those features and yet has plenty of room for extra furnishings too.
The result is a campervan that is spacious and comfortable, and considered to be one of the more high-end options. Yet because the imports of the car aren’t super-expensive, costs aren’t extortionate either.
Pros:
- Comfortable, smooth and quiet ride
- Plenty of space with a pop-top or high roof conversion
- Powerful engine
- Conversions are surprisingly good value
Cons:
- Can’t be used to tow – no tow weight rating has been given
- Mileage isn’t great unless you get the hybrid model
- Older models missing a lot of the premium features
Quirks:
- In some countries, the Alphard is seen as a status symbol – like a limousine
Toyota Alphard Campervan Review: What’s Inside?
The Toyota Alphard is a premium minivan and so the interior reflects that. As a standard vehicle it can sit up to 8, although the rear two banks of seats will of course be removed if you’re planning on buying a campervan model.
Some of the basic features that will be retained include air conditioning in the front and rear, and electric windows throughout. But then if you’re buying a specialist converted camper, what’s inside will depend entirely on the company that you buy it from.
The Alphard is a spacious minivan and so you’ll usually find there’s enough room for the van to comfortably sleep four, providing the roof has been converted. There’ll be space for a mini kitchen as well as a sitting area, and the van is big enough to house a portable toilet too.
Check out this full Toyota Alphard interior walkthrough
Hoping to buy a Toyota Alphard?
You can get tips on converting your Alphard yourself from the Alphard Club forums where there is an active community willing to share helpful advice and stories.
Toyota Alphard Prices (Average)
Despite everything we’ve said about the Alphard being considered a more premium minivan, the costs are actually not that high at all for a converted camper.
If you’re buying a second-hand Alphard to convert yourself, you should expect to pay somewhere between £9,000 and £15,000 depending on the year and the mileage done.
But you can actually get a basic campervan conversion for around £15,000 as well, which is a fantastic price for a minivan that’s ready to drive, especially one as reliable and comfortable as the Alphard.
And prices for a Toyota Alphard hybrid converter are also pretty decent – they’ll start from around £25,000 for a brand new one that’s been imported and upgraded for you. For a hybrid this is a really solid price, so it’s worth paying the extra if you want to enjoy the savings on fuel.
Toyota Alphard Alternatives
If you’re not sure on whether the Alphard is the right one for you, then check out these alternative options:
Mazda Bongo Friendee
- Production – 1995 to 2005
- Dimensions – 4.6m (length) x 1.7m (width) x 2.1m (height)
- Engine sizes – 2.0L Petrol, 2.5L Petrol, 2.5L Diesel
The Mazda Bongo is another Japanese minivan that became a popular import for campervan conversions in the UK. It’s slightly smaller, and considered to be a less premium option – the drive isn’t as smooth, neither is the interior. But on the other hand, it’s quite a bit cheaper – you can usually get a fully converted model for a few thousand less than an equivalent Alphard. And it still comes with many of the same mod-cons too, so it’s a good option if your budget is tight.
Volkswagen Transporter
- Production – 1950 to present
- Dimensions – 4.5-5.3m (length) x 1.7-2.3m (width) x 1.9-2.4m (height)
- Engine sizes – 1.1L–2.8L Petrol, 1.9-2.5L Diesel
The VW Transporter is one of the most commonly converted vans in the UK. There’s a lot of variety in the different Transporter models, but they’re generally very spacious if a little basic inside. More modern Transporters can be quite a bit more expensive than an Alphard but, being sold in the UK, it’s even easier to get repair work carried out if you need it, so they’re simple to maintain. Older models can be found for lower prices too, and they have decent reliability.
Nissan Elgrand
- Production – 1997 to present
- Dimensions – 4.7-4.9m (length) x 1.8-1.85m (width) x 1.8-2.1m (height)
- Engine sizes – 2.5L–3.5L Petrol, 3.0-3.2L Diesel
The Nissan Elgrand is considered a close rival to the Alphard when it comes to campervan conversions. The Elgrand is marginally more spacious and tends to have more power, but it’s also slightly more expensive too. In reality both are similar, and if you get a converted Alphard from a quality company then you won’t really notice the difference in space and quality with an Elgrand. Some consider the Elgrand to be more luxurious, but the Alphard is still a premium choice.
Anything else we should know?
Can you sleep in a Toyota Alphard?
You absolutely can sleep in a Toyota Alphard once it’s been through a campervan conversion. They’re really roomy, so you’ll have no trouble fitting in a decent-sized sofa bed that will fold down into a double. Plus, if you convert the roof, you can add a second sleeping space to allow for up to 4 people to get a good night’s rest.
How much does an Alphard conversion cost?
Converting an Alphard can be done in a number of ways, but the average cost for a professional conversion will be somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000. Normally though that’s only sold in with purchasing the vehicle outright since it needs to be imported, for a total cost of somewhere between £15,000 and £25,000 depending on the model.
You can do your own conversion on a tighter budget if you want to.
Is Toyota Alphard a car or a van?
A Toyota Alphard is a minivan. It’s larger than most standard cars but not really suited to transporting cargo as a full-sized van would be. As sold, it has seating for up to 8 adults, although most of these seats will be removed if you’re converting it into a campervan. Instead, you’ll keep a middle bank which will likely be a sofa bed. One quirk to note – the Alphard hasn’t been rated for a towing weight, so shouldn’t be used to tow a trailer.
How long is a Toyota Alphard campervan?
The Toyota Alphard is 4.8 metres long, close to 16 feet. It’s a fairly standard size for a minivan and can still be comfortably parked in most locations without having to take up multiple spaces, so you can use it for your daily driver if you want to.
Are there any Alphard clubs, forums or other resources?
Like many popular vehicles there are some really helpful resources online including the Alphard club who also have a popular forum. There is also this active Alphard Facebook group which has been going since 2013. The Toyota owners club also has a dedicated section in their forum for Toyota Alphard.
Join the Toyota Alphard community!
There is an active Toyota Alphard community if you need any advice or tips on converting your Alphard yourself, or guides on how much repairs should cost (if you’re concerned that a garage is trying to rip you off). They can help you to source parts or provide inspiration with their own stories of their Alphard conversions. The main forum is Alphard Club and it covers the Alphard and the Vellfire. It’s also a good place to find a deal on a use Alphard that’s been well looked after.
Toyota Alphard Campervan Review: Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to like about the Toyota Alphard when it comes to campervan conversions. The main two benefits are the quality of the drive and the price.
From a drive perspective, it’s one of the best options for a vehicle this size – the ride is extremely smooth and comfortable, and it’s quiet too, while the various engines are plenty powerful enough. The only minor issue is in the handling, but it’s not terrible, and you’re hardly going to be throwing a campervan around corners anyway.
As for the price, £15,000-25,000 might not sound cheap but considering the quality of the minivan and of the conversions that you’ll get for that amount, it’s really good value. Add in the relatively low maintenance costs (with Toyota parts being readily available) and financially it’s a solid choice. The only issue is the fuel consumption, but if you can stretch to the hybrid model then you can mitigate this.
It's definitely a quality campervan and one that you should consider if you’re in the market.
There’s a lot to like about the Toyota Alphard when it comes to campervan conversions. The main two benefits are the quality of the drive and the price.
From a drive perspective, it’s one of the best options for a vehicle this size – the ride is extremely smooth and comfortable, and it’s quiet too, while the various engines are plenty powerful enough. The only minor issue is in the handling, but it’s not terrible, and you’re hardly going to be throwing a campervan around corners anyway.
As for the price, £15,000-25,000 might not sound cheap but considering the quality of the minivan and of the conversions that you’ll get for that amount, it’s really good value. Add in the relatively low maintenance costs (with Toyota parts being readily available) and financially it’s a solid choice. The only issue is the fuel consumption, but if you can stretch to the hybrid model then you can mitigate this.
It's definitely a quality campervan and one that you should consider if you’re in the market.
Check out our other campervan reviews
- Renault Trafic campervan review
- Mazda Bongo campervan review
- Ford Nugget campervan review
- Nissan NV200 campervan review
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