Toyota Vellfire Review
Car Tested: 2020 Toyota Vellfire; Road Test No. 1171; Test Location: Bangalore
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 85 lakhs (est.)
At the price of 3 Innova’s, the Toyota Vellfire is one the most premium, spacious and luxurious MPV
Recently, MPVs seem to be making a comeback in India and why wouldn’t they, they are practical, spacious and they take the ‘saparivaar=sukhiparivar’ idea to another level. However, the MPV we are talking about today is not just space and all, it’s the big daddy of MPVs and it does that with so much flair.
The side profile looks very sleek and balanced
Exteriors – Yes, we are talking about this mammoth of a vehicle the Toyota Vellfire. In terms of styling, the Toyota Vellfire does look very bold and no-nonsense with its striking elements. The vehicle gets split headlamps with LED DRLs, triangular fog lamp housings and a lot of bling and chrome. The company calls the face as the Vellfire’s ‘armour’ and it does look that part.
The chrome garnishes give the Vellfire an upmarket look
At just under 5-meters in length, the Vellfire looks absolutely massive thanks to its boxy design and bold styling
Looking at it from the side and the rear, yes it does look boxy and the 17-inch tyres somehow manage to look tiny on this, but, the overall design is balanced out with large windows, blackened pillars and the straight as an arrow roof promises that even the third-row passengers won’t be about the headroom.
The third row is spacious enough for two adults
Interiors – The automatic sliding doors open to reveal what looks like a 1BHK, and we start from the last row. The seats are absolutely great, the legroom and headroom is abundant and I don’t feel that anyone would complain after being made to sit here even for long journeys. It gets 2 captain seats for the 3rd row, 2 adjustable headrests, 2 seat belts and even 2 full-grown adults here would find the space to be more than enough. The last row passengers also get dedicated AC vents, a sunshade and a cup holder.
Fold the third row and there is unbelievable amount of boot space
With all 3 rows down, the boot space is decent but with the 3rd row folded up and flipped away, the space on offer is massive.
The Vellfire is the MPV to get for chauffeur driven owners
Coming to the 2nd row, this is where the stuff gets real. The middle row is made up of 2 large lounge chairs that feel just as premium and upmarket, if not more, than the business class of any airline. In my opinion, calling them just ‘captain seats’ would be underselling the level of comfort it extends.
The second row seats are no less than a business class seat
The lounge seats in the second row not only recline but also get a powered leg rest making it a flatbed
The seats are extremely comfortable and relaxing. The seat bolstering on the side hugs you in place and the under-thigh support extends all the way to the calves and the feet! Yes, the seats get powered leg rests and with just a button you can adjust the length and angle of it. The seats recline to an extent that it makes an almost flatbed. All these controls are in the armrest that flips open to reveal a control panel. What more could you possibly want from seats!
The rear infotainment screens ensures rear passengers won’t be bored
The Toyota Vellfire has a rear infotainment system that connects via Bluetooth, HDMI cable and even Wifi to take care of entertainment duties for people at the back. Other features include 2 moon-roofs, ambient lighting and a small tray table as well.
Good quality of materials used in the feature-loaded interior
It’s when you come to the front seat that you realise that after all, it’s a Toyota. The cabin is offered in two colours, all-black and flaxen. The all-black interior gets faux wooden inserts that look quite upmarket, lifting the overall feel of the car. While the larger surfaces get soft-touch materials, some buttons feel quite dated and plasticky. The touchscreen infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity and is quite slick to use. The system is further complemented by 17 JBL speakers spread all around the car. The multifunction steering wheel gets a heating function too.
Even the front seats get heating and cooling options
The front seats score big on comfort as well. It gets a heating and cooling function, seat memory, as well as the under-thigh and lumbar support, are just spot on. What’s an added bonus upfront is that the front passenger seat comes with powered leg rest. There’s also lots of space for small items, including a huge centre box between the seats.
The petrol engine is extremely refined and smooth to drive
Performance – Powering the Toyota Vellfire is a 115 HP, 2.5-litre hybrid petrol engine and a pair of electric motors, one for each axle (combined power is rated at 197 HP). The front motor works in conjunction with the engine to drive the front wheels via an e-CVT. The rear motor, on the other hand, solely powers the rear wheels when needed (at full throttle, for instance, or when slip is detected) to form an electric four-wheel-drive system.
Power delivery is linear with a strong surge in the mid-range
Along with the petrol engine, the Vellfire also gets an electric motor for each axle, making it an electric 4WD system
It has more of a refined character and feels smooth from the get-go. Yes, it is going to be more of a chauffeur-driven vehicle, but at times when the owner feels like being behind the wheels, the mid-range is going to bring a smile on their face. The automatic transmission takes a while to get used to due to its complex slotting!
Ride quality is excellent and steering is also on the lighter side
Driving Dynamics – To my surprise, the steering is extremely light and easy to manoeuvre and it weighs up decently. There’s no denying that the Vellfire is a heavy vehicle. At over 2 tonnes, it feels pretty intimidating to drive and it does feel that you’re lugging some weight around. We drove the car on Toyota’s private track in Bangalore for a couple of laps, so the tested terrain was pretty smooth. The suspension seems to be a little on the stiffer sides but the cloudy seats make up for any jiggle felt on the road.
The Vellfire comes with 7 airbags and other essential safety features
Safety – TIn terms of safety the Toyota Vellfire gets 7 airbags, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), VDIM (Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management, HAC (Hill Start Assist Control), Brake hold, ABS, EBD and Brake assist.
The Vellfire is a no-nonsense luxury MPV
Verdict – The Toyota Vellfire doesn’t pretend to be anything its not, no fake SUV elements and no beating around the bush. It promises space, comfort, luxury and delivers head-on. At an expected price of Rs. 90 lakh, it lands itself against the Mercedes V-Class. Now, we understand the Indian market and its obsession with luxury badging, but remember Toyota might just be more economical to maintain. So, if you are in the market with that amount in your pocket for a spacious family mover, the Vellfire deserves a chance, it might just blow you away.
The MPV also gets dual moonroofs
What’s Cool
* Feature-loaded cabin with abundant space
* 2nd-row seats are sublime
* Good ride quality
What’s Not So Cool
* Styling
* Price
Alternatives: – Mercedes-Benz V-Class
Each row gets its own dedicated AC vents
Toyota Vellfire Specifications
* Engine: 2494cc, 4-Cyl, Petrol Hybrid
* Power: 115 HP @ 4700 RPM, 142 HP @ 4500 RPM (Front Motor), 68 HP @ 5608 RPM (Rear Motor)
* Torque: 198 Nm @ 2800-4000 RPM
* Transmission: e-CVT
* Fuel Consumption: 8-11 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tyre Size: 225/60/17 (Front & Rear)
* Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Double Wishbone (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 7 Airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assit, VSC, VDIM, HAC
Toyota Vellfire Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4935 mm X 1850 mm X 1895 mm
* Wheelbase: 3000 mm
* Ground Clearance: 165 mm
* Turning Radius: 5.8-meters
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 58-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2280 kgs
Toyota’s reliability and service might make the Vellfire a practical buy
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