Toyota Vellfire 2023 Review

2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5 is a high-end MPV that combines luxurious second-row Ottoman seats, rich features, and an affordable price, meeting both family and light business needs.

RM 438,000

Toyota Vellfire 2023

Segment

Executive

Body Type

MPV

Capacity(L)

2.5

Engine Power(PS)

182

Engine Torque(Nm)

235

Transmission

CVT

View Toyota Vellfire > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In Malaysia's high-end MPV market, the Toyota Vellfire has always been a popular choice for families and business professionals. The arrival of the 2023 2.5L model further strengthens its advantages in terms of configuration and comfort. The core selling point of this car lies in combining the luxurious MPV riding experience with a relatively affordable price (compared to the hybrid version), while retaining Toyota's consistent reliability. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify its actual performance in daily commuting, family outings, and light business scenarios to see whether it can meet the target users' diverse demands for space, comfort, and features.

The exterior of the 2023 Vellfire continues the family-style "majestic front grille" design, with a large trapezoidal grille adorned with chrome trims that give it a strong visual impact and high recognizability. The body side lines are smooth, with a waistline stretching from the A-pillar to the rear of the car, combined with 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, making the 5005mm length appear less bulky. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a through-type design, which becomes striking when illuminated. The chrome trim below enhances the sense of sophistication. The lighting system is fully equipped with LED light sources. Automatic headlights and front fog lights are also included, enhancing practicality in various weather conditions.

Inside the car, the interior features dark soft-touch materials, wooden trim, and metal accents, creating a luxurious and business-oriented atmosphere. The center console has a simple layout with a prominent 14-inch touchscreen, offering smooth operation and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster is fully digital, with multiple themes available and clear information readability. The front seats are equipped with 8-way electric adjustment, memory, and heating functions, while the passenger seats feature 4-way electric adjustment and heating, ensuring long-term sitting comfort. The second row is the highlight of this car – Ottoman captain's chairs with multi-angle adjustments and leg rests, as well as independent air conditioning controls and USB ports, allow passengers to easily find a comfortable seating position. The third-row seats support 50:50 and 60:40 split folding, which expands trunk space when folded, making it easy for daily storage or occasional extra seating. In terms of storage, the designs of the door storage pockets, central armrest box, and cup holders are all very practical, meeting the everyday needs of family users.

In terms of power, the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum output of 182PS and a maximum torque of 235N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. The power output is smooth when starting, making it suitable for city commuting. During acceleration, the CVT performs well in smoothness, but during high-speed overtaking, deeper throttle input is required, and the power response might be slightly slower. There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Power. In Eco mode, throttle response is gentle, suitable for fuel-saving daily driving; in Power mode, throttle sensitivity is enhanced, suitable for scenarios requiring quick acceleration. The chassis adopts front MacPherson independent suspension and rear double wishbone independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension effectively absorbs vibrations, ensuring that passengers inside the car do not feel significant bumps. The steering wheel is light to turn, and despite the large body size, daily maneuvers are not cumbersome, while the rollover control during cornering is relatively good for an MPV.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 9L/100km. During the actual test drive, the fuel consumption in urban conditions was approximately 10-11L/100km, while on highways it was about 8-9L/100km, which meets the expectations for a 2.5-liter MPV. Regarding safety features, the entire series comes standard with the TSS Intelligent Safety System, which includes functions like ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and active braking. The 360-degree panoramic view camera and front and rear parking sensors make parking much easier. Noise control performance is excellent, with wind and tire noise well-suppressed during high-speed driving, allowing passengers to converse normally inside the vehicle. As for seat comfort, whether in the front row or the second row, the seats provide good support and wrapping, ensuring long-term comfort for passengers.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5 lie in its luxurious second-row seating experience, abundant features, and reliable safety performance. Compared to its peer, the Honda Elysion, the Vellfire offers better second-row comfort and features; compared to the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, it is more affordable. This car is suitable for users who prioritize family travel comfort or small to medium business owners in need of light business reception. If you are looking for an MPV with spaciousness, comprehensive features, and comfortable seating, the Vellfire 2.5 could be a great choice.

Pros

2.5L naturally aspirated engine + CVT transmission is smooth, no jerks when following cars in urban areas, linear power delivery for uphill climbs, stable cruising on highways

Comprehensive safety features, practical active braking and lane departure warning, 360-degree panoramic camera assists in parking

Bold and refined exterior, spindle-shaped front grille + LED headlights with high attention, suitable for both business and family use

Cons

The third-row storage compartment is limited, making it inconvenient to store items

Acceleration becomes sluggish above 120km/h on highways, requiring deep throttle for hill climbing

The larger body size requires caution for parking and passing in narrow alleys, with a large turning radius

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 8 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.5 / 5

Interior Design

4.1 / 5

Safety

4.5 / 5

Exterior Design

4.5 / 5

Showing 8 reviews

5 Excellent

CayenneS

Owner of 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5

As the owner of the 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5 in Malaysia for six months, I truly feel I made the right choice! Let's start with the performance – in the turtle-speed traffic during Kuala Lumpur's morning rush hours, the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine combined with the CVT transmission is particularly smooth, with no jerks when starting or following other vehicles. On weekends, when taking my family to Genting Highlands, the power output remains very linear while climbing hills, with no sense of "a small engine dragging a big car." Cruising steadily at 110km/h on the highway, fuel consumption is about 9.2L/100km, roughly matching the official figures. Considering Malaysia's road conditions, it's quite friendly. The safety features give me peace of mind! Since Malaysia has frequent rainy weather, there was a time on the North-South Expressway when a car suddenly changed lanes, and the lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking system intervened immediately, helping me avoid a collision. The 360-degree panoramic camera provides a clear view even of the motorcycles near narrow parking lots around the Petronas Twin Towers, making parking easy even for beginners. With 6 airbags and full-speed ACC, driving long distances with kids is incredibly reassuring. There's no need to say much about the exterior. The bold spindle-shaped front grille and LED headlights make heads turn every time I park at a mall entrance. The black body has a particular sense of sophistication under Malaysia's sunlight, fitting perfectly for both business and family use. The interior gets a 4/5 because the second-row Ottoman seats are simply amazing – featuring heating and electric adjustments, allowing my parents to lie back and rest during long journeys. However, the storage compartments in the third row are a bit lacking; it's not very convenient for placing phones or water bottles. If there were two more small compartments, it would be perfect. But overall, the materials used are very solid, with the leather steering wheel and wood-grain trim feeling high-end to the touch. The 14-inch central control screen is clear enough, and the JBL sound system creates an excellent atmosphere, even when playing local Malaysian folk music. Overall, this car is perfect for both daily commuting and family outings on Malaysian roads, and it offers excellent value for money!

4 Excellent

CRV_4WD

Owner of 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5

As the owner of the 2023 Vellfire 2.5, after driving it for over half a year, I’m overall quite satisfied, especially with its performance under Malaysia's road conditions. Let's start with safety - the car's safety features are very comprehensive. It’s equipped with 6 airbags, lane departure warning, and active braking, among others. Last time on the highway in Selangor, I almost got sideswiped by a car suddenly changing lanes. The active braking system intervened in time, giving me a scare but also saving the situation. However, there was one time I was reversing in a narrow alley in Penang - although the 360-degree camera is clear, the radar response was a bit slow at low speeds, and I almost hit a parked motorcycle on the roadside. If it were more sensitive, it would’ve been even better. I'd give it 4 stars. In terms of performance, the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine performs smoothly in urban driving, and the CVT transmission shifts without any jerks, making it quite comfortable to follow traffic during rush hours in Kuala Lumpur. However, acceleration feels a bit sluggish over 120 km/h on the highway. Last time I took the family to Genting Highlands, I had to press the accelerator hard while climbing, as the power output wasn’t very strong. But for daily household use, it’s completely sufficient. A 4-star rating seems reasonable. As for the exterior, the Vellfire’s "big face" design looks quite imposing, and the LED headlights are particularly bright at night. It earns a lot of admiration in the KLCC parking lot. However, the car body is quite large, making it a bit tricky to find parking spots in Melaka's old town. Additionally, the white paint gets dirty easily, requiring frequent washes. Overall, I still really like it, so 4 stars are fair.

4 Excellent

DragRacer

Owner of 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5

As the owner of the 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5, and having driven it in Malaysia for over half a year, I genuinely feel this car is very suitable for local family use! First, let’s talk about the exterior, I’d rate it more than 5 stars if I could — every time I park it at the KLCC parking lot, passersby can’t help but take a second look. The large chrome grille paired with the LED headlights exudes a sense of business class with a touch of luxury. When taking the family to Penang for the weekend, we stopped at a service area for a rest, and even another car owner next to us asked if this was a car purchased with an extra premium, which was a real boost to my pride! In terms of safety, I’d give it 4 stars. Malaysia often has rainy days, and sudden situations frequently occur on highways. Its automatic braking and lane departure warning have honestly saved me once — last time on the North-South Expressway, the vehicle ahead suddenly braked hard, and the system immediately alerted me and automatically slowed down, avoiding a collision. However, the only downside is that the radar occasionally gives false alarms at low speeds, especially during traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur, which can be a bit annoying. But overall, I still feel assured. A score of 4 stars for performance is also reasonable. The 2.5L naturally aspirated engine with CVT runs very smoothly in the city, and the acceleration isn’t jerky during traffic jams. While climbing up halfway to Genting Highlands with the family, although it’s not as powerful as a turbocharged engine, stepping deeper on the accelerator gives enough power without feeling sluggish. Its fuel consumption is about 9L/100km, which is quite good for a 7-seater MPV. I can make a round trip to Penang on the North-South Expressway without needing to refuel midway. Overall, this car is very suitable for use in Malaysia. The exterior offers great presence, safety features provide peace of mind, and its performance meets daily needs. You can’t go wrong choosing it as a family car!

4 Excellent

Model3P

Owner of 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5

As the owner of the 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5 and having driven it for over half a year in Malaysia, I would give both the interior and exterior a score of 4—meaning "very satisfied but with minor regrets." Let's start with the exterior. Its recognition on the roads of Kuala Lumpur is really high—the large chrome grille paired with LED headlights really makes it stand out. Whether parking at KLCC or heading to Penang for a holiday, it definitely turns more heads than an average MPV. The body lines are generous and imposing. While its 5-meter length means I need to be extra careful navigating the narrow alleys of Melaka's old town, parking it at a hotel entrance has elicited comments from friends like, "This really looks premium." However, the downside is the paintwork. Last time on the North-South Expressway, a small stone chip caused minor damage, and when I got it touched up, the technician mentioned that the pearl white paint layer was a bit thin—if it were slightly thicker, it would be perfect. As for the interior, the luxury it offers is indeed impressive. The 14-inch infotainment screen doesn’t reflect sunlight even under Malaysia’s bright conditions, and the JBL sound system delivers incredible audio, making it fantastic for playing local Malaysian songs. My favorite feature is the second-row Ottoman seats, which come with a heating function. When I took my parents to Genting Highlands and drove for three hours on the highway, they said it was even more comfortable than their sofa at home. However, the storage compartments in the third row are somewhat lacking. During a trip to Sabah with the kids, their snacks and toys had nowhere to go and ended up piled at their feet—this is one aspect that I hope can be improved. All in all, both aspects align well with its positioning as a premium MPV fit for both family use and business receptions. A score of 4 is well-deserved!

5 Excellent

GT_R35

Owner of 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5

As the owner of a 2023 Toyota Vellfire 2.5, after driving it for over half a year, what satisfies me the most is its exterior! Every time I park it in a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, passersby always take a second look — the large chrome front grille paired with sharp LED headlights, along with the sleek lines on the sides and 19-inch wheels, exudes a luxurious vibe within its business-style appearance, perfectly matching my expectations for an executive MPV. As for the interior, it's overall pretty good, but I would give it 4 stars because some details could still be improved. The 14-inch central control screen in the front row and the fully digital instrument panel feel very tech-savvy, and the JBL audio system also delivers excellent sound quality. The Ottoman captain seats in the middle row come with heating and memory functions, which are especially comfortable in Malaysia's hot weather when you use the remote start feature to cool the car before getting in. However, the storage space in the rear row is slightly limited. When going out with the kids, their toys and water bottles sometimes have no place to go. It would be perfect if there were a few more small compartments. Overall, the Vellfire is very stable to drive on the roads in Malaysia, whether it’s city commuting or taking the family on a trip to Genting Highlands.