Alphard vs Vellfire for a Penang family trip: seats, luggage and comfort

For a family trip in Penang, the honest answer is that either will do: the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are closely related 7-seat luxury MPVs with sliding doors and a spacious cabin. The differences that matter to passengers are the rear seat style and the trim. Pick the one that is available at your time, and book a second vehicle if your group or luggage will not fit one.

This guide compares the two as they are listed in our fleet, explains how many people and bags to plan for, and covers the choice between a driver and self-drive. For prices and booking, see our Alphard and Vellfire rental in Penang page.

Same family, different character

Toyota sells both models in Malaysia. On Toyota Malaysia's current website, the Alphard is offered as the Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge, and the Vellfire is described as an "Executive MPV", offered with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and as the Vellfire Hybrid Electric.

For a passenger, though, the experience is similar. Both of ours are listed with automatic sliding doors, which make getting children and older relatives in and out easy, and with individual seats in the middle row. In our fleet they are also the same price: the fare for any trip is identical whichever of the two you pick, so the choice comes down to seats and availability.

Side by side, as listed in our fleet

This table is built from our own vehicle listings and live prices. It describes our vehicles, not every Alphard or Vellfire on the road.

Seats: captain seats or lounge seats?

The main practical difference in our fleet is the middle row. The Alphard is listed with captain seats: two individual armchair-style seats with an aisle between them, which makes it easy to reach the back row. The Vellfire is listed with executive lounge seats and ottoman leg rests, which let a passenger recline with their legs supported.

For a family, captain seats suit children who need helping in and out, or a parent who wants to sit next to a child. Lounge seats with ottomans suit grandparents, a tired traveller after a long-haul flight, or anyone who wants to sleep on a long drive such as Penang to Kuala Lumpur.

Luggage: plan by bags, not seats

Every seat taken is space lost for bags, so the passenger number is only half the question. We book each vehicle for up to 5 passengers. That is deliberate: in a 7-seat MPV it keeps space for a family's luggage rather than filling every seat.

• Tell us what you are bringing. Large suitcases, golf bags, a pram or a wheelchair go in the Special requests box at checkout.
• Two families or a big group? Book two vehicles. It costs more than one, but everyone gets a seat and the bags travel with you.
• Keep a small bag on your lap. Nappies, snacks and chargers within reach mean nobody needs to open the boot on the way.

We do not publish a fixed luggage allowance because bag sizes vary so much. If you are unsure, book the extra vehicle; it is easier than repacking at the kerb.

With a driver or self-drive?

With a driver, you can book a one-way trip at a fixed fare, such as an airport transfer, or hire the vehicle and chauffeur by the hour for a day out. Tolls and fuel are included. This is the usual choice for families: nobody has to navigate George Town's narrow streets or find parking.

Self-drive suits you if you hold a licence that is valid in Malaysia and want the vehicle for several days. Self-drive prices exclude tolls and fuel. Self-drive bookings list a security deposit of RM700. For self-drive rentals a child seat (Safety-certified child seat (0-4 years)) can be added at checkout for RM40. Before you choose self-drive, read our self-drive car rental checklist.

Booking tips for families

A few details make the day smoother, whichever vehicle you choose.

• Child seats. A child seat is not one of our add-ons for trips with a driver, so if you need one, bring your own or ask in the Special requests box before you pay, and wait for our reply before relying on it.
• Arrivals. We do not track flights. Book the pickup for your scheduled landing time and add your flight number at checkout so it is saved with the booking.
• Stops. On an hourly booking the vehicle and driver stay with you, so shopping bags and pushchairs can stay in the car between stops.
• Paying. Trips with a driver are paid in full online when you book, so there is nothing to settle with the driver at the end.

Which should you book?

• Young children: either vehicle; captain seats in the Alphard make the back row easy to reach.
• Grandparents or a long drive: the Vellfire's lounge seats with ottomans are the more relaxing choice.
• A wedding, event or VIP pickup: both look the part; choose by availability on your date.
• More people or bags than one vehicle takes: two vehicles, booked together.

Planning your arrival? Read Penang Airport to George Town: private transfer, taxi, Grab or bus? or see how to hire a private driver in Penang for 4 hours.