Toyota Vellfire

The 2025 Toyota Vellfire in India is powered by a single, highly efficient strong-hybrid petrol powertrain. This system combines a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. The petrol engine produces 142 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm.

The electric motor contributes significantly, and the combined system output is approximately 190 bhp (190.42 bhp). Power is transmitted to all four wheels via an e-CVT (electronic Continuously Variable Transmission) with an AWD (All-Wheel Drive) setup.

This strong-hybrid system prioritizes refinement and fuel efficiency. The e-CVT ensures smooth and linear power delivery, making for a seamless and comfortable driving experience. The Vellfire can operate on electric power alone for short distances at low speeds, contributing to silent city commutes and improved fuel economy.

The ARAI-certified mileage stands at an impressive 19.28 kmpl, which is remarkable for a vehicle of its size and luxury. While not a performance-oriented vehicle, the powertrain offers adequate power for effortless cruising and comfortable overtaking, making it suitable for both urban and highway conditions.

Ride and Handling

The 2025 Toyota Vellfire prioritizes a plush and supremely comfortable ride quality, making it an ideal vehicle for long journeys and chauffeur-driven commutes. The suspension setup, featuring MacPherson struts at the front and a double wishbone at the rear, is finely tuned to absorb road imperfections, potholes, and undulations effectively, ensuring a smooth and composed ride even on challenging Indian road surfaces. The cabin is exceptionally well-insulated, filtering out road and wind noise, contributing to a serene and quiet environment.

Despite its large dimensions, the Vellfire offers surprisingly easy maneuverability. The electric power steering is light and precise, making it manageable in city traffic and tight parking spots. While it is not designed for sporty handling or aggressive cornering, body roll is well-controlled for an MPV of its size, and it feels stable and confident at highway speeds. 

The strong-hybrid powertrain and e-CVT contribute to a smooth and linear power delivery, further enhancing the refined driving experience. The Vellfire's ride and handling characteristics are optimized for passenger comfort, providing a relaxed and effortless journey.

The interior of the 2025 Toyota Vellfire is its undeniable highlight, crafted to offer a first-class travel experience. The cabin is exceptionally spacious, designed to accommodate seven occupants across three rows, with a strong emphasis on the second row. 

The "VIP Executive Lounge" variant features two plush, power-adjustable captain seats in the second row, offering heating, ventilation, massage functions, and extendable leg rests (Ottomans). These seats recline to an almost horizontal position, providing limousine-level comfort. Even a 6-foot tall individual can stretch out completely without touching the front seats.

Material quality is top-notch, with soft-touch plastics, premium leather upholstery, and convincing wood-effect or metallic trim inserts throughout the cabin, exuding opulence. The dashboard features a clean, horizontally oriented design.

 The third row, while not as lavish as the second, is genuinely usable for adults on shorter trips, offering reclining backrests, dedicated AC vents, and USB-C ports. Cargo space is a practical 148 litres with all three rows in place, expanding significantly to a massive 2905 litres by folding down the third and second rows into the floor, making it highly versatile for luggage or large items.

Infotainment

The infotainment system in the 2025 Toyota Vellfire is designed for a premium and connected experience. It features a large 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system mounted centrally on the dashboard. This system is responsive, offers sharp graphics, and provides seamless connectivity with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Integrated navigation is standard, enhancing convenience for long journeys.

For rear passengers, a large 14-inch screen folds down from the roof, providing entertainment options. This rear entertainment system also includes an HDMI port for external device connectivity. The Vellfire is equipped with a premium 15-speaker JBL sound system, delivering an immersive audio experience throughout the cabin.

Controls for various functions, including the dual panoramic sunroofs with individual shades, electrically operated doors, and air conditioning, are conveniently located in a "Super-Long Overhead Console" on the roof. Detachable 7-inch touchscreen control devices for the second-row seats allow passengers to individually manage seat recline, ventilation, and massage functions, adding to the bespoke luxury experience.

The exterior design of the 2025 Toyota Vellfire is characterized by a bold and imposing presence, making a distinct statement on Indian roads. The front fascia features a massive, multi-slat chrome grille that dominates the view, flanked by sleek, split LED headlamps with integrated LED DRLs. The aggressive bumper design and prominent chrome accents contribute to its distinct and luxurious road presence.

From the side, the Vellfire maintains its signature boxy silhouette, which is crucial for maximizing interior space. It features large, electronically sliding rear doors for effortless ingress and egress. The design incorporates sharp character lines and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels (on the VIP Executive Lounge variant), enhancing its premium appeal.

The rear is equally distinctive, with V-shaped LED taillights connected by a chrome strip, and a large, upright tailgate. Dimensions are substantial, measuring 5010 mm in length, 1850 mm in width, and 1950 mm in height, with a generous wheelbase of 3000 mm. Ground clearance stands at 160 mm. The design is polarizing but undeniably commands attention.

Safety is a core tenet of the 2025 Toyota Vellfire, reflecting its positioning as a premium family and executive transport. While it has not undergone Bharat NCAP testing, the Vellfire has received a 5-star safety rating from JNCAP (Japanese NCAP), indicating a high level of occupant protection. This rating is a strong indicator of its robust construction and comprehensive safety features.

The Vellfire comes equipped with a wide array of passive and active safety features. Standard safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control, Hill Assist, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Crucially, the Vellfire integrates the advanced Toyota Safety Sense suite.

This includes features like a Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) that maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), and a 360-degree camera with parking sensors for enhanced maneuverability and safety in tight spaces. The combination of a strong chassis and advanced driver-assistance systems aims to provide comprehensive protection for all occupants.

The 2025 Toyota Vellfire operates in the niche, ultra-luxury MPV segment in India, facing a select group of rivals that cater to premium clientele. Its primary competitor in terms of direct body style and a more accessible luxury proposition is the Kia Carnival. 

While the Carnival also offers extensive space and a host of premium features, including VIP seating and advanced technology, its significantly lower price point makes it a strong value proposition for many buyers seeking a premium MPV experience without the Vellfire's top-tier luxury pricing. The Carnival typically offers a diesel engine, which might appeal to some traditional MPV buyers, contrasting with the Vellfire's hybrid-only approach.

Moving up the luxury ladder, the Lexus LM stands as a direct internal competitor. As Toyota's own luxury sub-brand offering, the LM is essentially a more opulent and even more expensive version of the Vellfire. It targets an even more exclusive clientele with enhanced cabin luxury, bespoke customization options, and an even greater emphasis on rear-seat comfort, often at a substantial price premium. This positions the LM as the ultimate expression of the Vellfire's luxury philosophy.

Another significant contender in this high-end segment is the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. This luxury van, known for its German engineering and prestigious badge, often finds favor with corporate and hospitality fleets. 

The V-Class offers a sophisticated cabin, robust build quality, and a comfortable ride, providing a direct alternative for those prioritizing European luxury and brand cachet in a people-mover format. The V-Class typically comes with diesel engine options, appealing to a different set of buyers compared to the Vellfire's hybrid focus.

The Toyota Vellfire differentiates itself with its unique strong-hybrid powertrain, offering impressive fuel efficiency for its size and segment. Its focus on unparalleled second-row comfort with VIP seating, advanced technology, and Toyota's legendary reliability and strong resale value are key strengths. While the Kia Carnival offers more accessible luxury and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class provides a European luxury alternative, the Vellfire's sheer opulence, hybrid advantage, and established reliability position it uniquely for those seeking the ultimate in chauffeur-driven comfort and efficiency.

The 2025 Toyota Vellfire is a compelling proposition for those seeking the ultimate in luxury and comfort from a people-mover in India. Its blend of a bold exterior, an exquisitely appointed and spacious interior with "throne-like" second-row seats, and a highly efficient strong-hybrid powertrain makes it a unique offering.

While its price point is substantial, it delivers a premium experience that rivals, and in some aspects surpasses, traditional luxury sedans and SUVs in terms of rear-seat comfort and practicality.

For the Indian buyer who prioritizes being chauffeured in utmost comfort, demands cutting-edge features, values Toyota's bulletproof reliability, and appreciates the fuel efficiency of a hybrid, the 2025 Vellfire is an excellent choice. It is the ideal vehicle for business executives, celebrities, and large families who frequently travel together and seek a truly first-class cabin experience.