Toyota’s HiAce remains the best-selling mid-sized van here in Australia in 2024, with a range of options filled with long and super-long wheelbase variants, rear barn door options perfect for unloading cargo on the fly and even a 12-seater bus on offer.
The question remains, though, as to whether Toyota has gotten complacent with the HiAce sitting at the top of the pile, or if it remains a segment leader in 2024. Let’s take a closer look to find out.
Toyota HiAce Competition
Toyota HiAce |
VS |
Ford Transit Custom |
LDV G10 | ||
Hyundai Staria Load | ||
Peugeot Expert | ||
Renault Trafic | ||
LDV Deliver 9 |
How Much Does the Toyota HiAce Cost?
The MY24 Toyota HiAce range is offered in three main variants, the HiAce Van, Barn Door and Commuter variants.
Prices for the HiAce Van kick-off from $46,360 for the entry-level HiAce LWB Van Manual, rising to $48,360 for the HiAce LWB Van Automatic. The HiAce LWB Panel Van Automatic is priced at $48,360, with the HiAce LWB GL Van Automatic priced at $49,360, the HiAce LWB Crew Van Automatic priced at $51,360 and the HiAce SLWB Van Automatic priced at $56,920.
Prices for the HiAce Barn Door range kick off from $49,110 for the HiAce LWB Barn Door Van Automatic and HiAce LWB Barn Door Panel Van, with the HiAce LWB Barn Door GL Van priced at $50,110 and the HiAce SLWB Barn Door Van priced at $57,670.
Finally, prices for the Toyota HiAce Commuter bus range start at $73,560 for the HiAce SLWB Commuter Bus Automatic, rising to $76,560 for the SLWB Commuter GL Bus Automatic.
Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.
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Toyota HiAce LWB (Panel Option) Specifications
Model Date | 2024 |
Make | TOYOTA |
Model | HIACE |
Series | GDH300R |
Variant | LWB (PANEL OPTION) |
Body | 5D VAN |
Fuel type | DIESEL |
Transmission | 6 SP AUTO SEQUENTIAL |
Drive | RWD |
Engine | TCDI |
Engine capacity | 2755 |
Engine configuration | VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM / 16 valves |
Engine RPM | 3400.0 / 1600.0 |
Cylinders | DT4 |
Torque | 450 |
KW | 130 |
Fuel tank size | 70.0 |
Fuel usage specs | 8.2 / 0 |
CO2 | 210 |
ANCAP security rating | 5 |
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Request a quoteWhat Features & Specs Does the Toyota HiAce Have?
Entry-level Toyota HiAce variants come riding on 16-inch steel wheels and pick up cruise control, cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable lumbar support, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors and a hefty list of active safety tech.
Opting for the HiAce Crew Van adds a set of fog lights, body-coloured bumpers and door handles, rear windows and a digital rear-view mirror, while the HiAce SLWB Commuter picks up rear air conditioning vents, a step lamp, LED interior lighting and a roof hatch.
The range-topping HiAce Commuter GL comes riding on 16-inch alloys and receives fog lights, a powered side door, and a mix of leatherette and cloth upholstery.
Toyota HiAce Connectivity & Infotainment Features
The MY24 Toyota HiAce range comes packaged with an 8.0-inch infotainment display which is beginning to show some serious signs of the HiACe’s ageing technology suite.
That said, the HiAce’s 8.0-inch display is fitted with DAB+, Bluetooth and satellite navigation as standard, with the unit paired with a two-speaker sound system.
The HiAce range also receives Toyota’s Connected Services suite that offers 24-hour emergency call assistance and vehicle location data in case it’s stolen.
Does the Toyota HiAce Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?
While Toyota’s infotainment system for the HiAce offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone mirroring is not bundled in for the 2024 model range.
This means that you’ll need to keep a USB cable handy in order to access Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the move, which remains wired for now.
Is the Toyota HiAce Comfortable to Drive?
For its cargo-focused design, the Toyota HiAce remains pretty well-behaved on the road, making for a pretty user-friendly package overall.
Under the bonnet, the HiAce retains its 2.8-litre turbo-diesel beating heart, which offers up 130kW of power and, more importantly, 450Nm of torque to help push you and a heavy load up to speed.
HiAce buyers have the option of a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission, with power thrown to the rear wheels across the range.
With a hefty amount of torque at your disposal, the HiAce offers some spirited acceleration off the line and has a meaty power band when loaded up to help you pick up the pace or give you a push-up an incline.
The steering is heavier than you might be used to in a more conventional Toyota passenger car, though remains easy to throw around while navigating a car park or tight quarters in a load bay.
Obviously, the HiAce has been designed to drive with a heavy load of cargo in the load bay, which means that the unladen (empty) ride quality can be a bit on the stiffer side, but not uncomfortably so.
Load it up with cargo and the HiAce loses a bit of puff off the line but gains a significant amount of stability in the corners and while tackling bumps around town.
All up, for a cargo-hauler, Toyota has done a great job in making the HiAce accessible for a wide range of drivers and makes for one of the most user-friendly members of the midsize van segment.
Is the Toyota HiAce Fuel Efficient?
Fuel efficiency figures on offer in the MY24 Toyota HiAce range vary from 7.5L per 100km in the most fuel-efficient member of the range, expanding out to 8.5L per 100km in the case of the largest.
The entry-level HiAce LWB Manual returns the best fuel economy figures of the bunch, totalling 7.5L/100km on a combined cycle, while the SLWB Van with its larger platform is less efficient, sipping 8.4L per 100km.
Toyota does not list official fuel economy figures for the HiAce SLWB Commuter bus, but it’s safe to assume it’s less efficient than the standard SLWB Van due to the added weight from extra equipment and seats.
Is the Toyota HiAce Practical and Spacious?
While it’s not the flashiest interior in the midsize van segment, the HiAce is undeniably practical thanks to its large, boxy design with acres of interior space.
The layout of the dashboard hasn’t changed over the years, though it remains easy to use, with quick access to rotary climate dials and tonnes of storage options that make it a great daily workhorse.
The amount of headroom is fantastic in the front of the cabin, with the wide cabin making for a relatively spacious affair in the cockpit.
The HiAce’s lofty driving position also adds to the amount of forward visibility on offer, though variants with sliding side doors miss out on a mirror, which means you’ll need to be extra vigilant with your mirror checking.
In terms of storage, the HiAce is a strong performer.
Storage nooks and crannies are hiding throughout the dashboard, alongside five cupholders and a huge centre console with two flat areas and a massive glovebox to swallow up loose items, laptops and any work documents you need to keep safe.
In the HiAce’s load bay there’s almost endless acreage for cargo and activities, with its spartan design coming ready for action straight off the factory.
The wide platform makes it easy to accommodate bulky cargo, while a host of tie-down points allow you to keep valuable cargo safe and secure on the road.
Depending on which variant you’re opting for, the HiAce has cargo volumes ranging from 6,200L in the LWB range, expanding to 9,300L in the Super LWB range.
Payload figures range from 995kg to 1,135kg, depending on the variant, meaning the HiAce is confident when tasked with lugging around large loads and heavy cargo that has made it a hit of a workhorse.
The HiAce Barn Door range remains arguably the most user-friendly to unload, with a pair of super wide-aperture doors that open 180 degrees at the rear for easy access into the load bay, as well as sliding doors on both sides.
What are the Cargo Specs, Payload & Dimensions of the Toyota HiAce?
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Dimensions: 5265mm long x 1950mm wide x 1990mm tall (LWB)
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Dimensions: 5915mm long x 1950mm wide x 2280mm tall (SLWB)
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Load Bay: 2530mm long x 1760mm wide (1268mm between arches) x 1340mm tall (LWB)
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Load Bay: 3180mm long x 1760mm wide (1268mm between arches) x 1615mm tall (SLWB)
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Cargo Dimensions: 6.2m3 (LWB)
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Cargo Dimensions: 9.3m3 (SLWB)
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Payload: 995-1135kg
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GVM: 3,300 - 3,500kg
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Braked Towing Capacity: 1900kg (LWB manual)
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Braked Towing Capacity: 1500kg (all other variants)
Is the Toyota HiAce Safe?
Toyota gave the HiAce a fairly significant update in recent years when it came to safety equipment.
As standard, the MY24 HiAce range boasts autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure alerts, conventional cruise control, traffic sign detection and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.
Does the Toyota HiAce Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?
Toyota’s much-loved cargo hauler has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2019 saw it score the following marks.
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Adult Occupant Protection: 94%
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Child Occupant Protection: 88%
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Vulnerable Road User Protection: 84%
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Safety Assist: 77%
What Warranty Does the Toyota HiAce Come With?
Toyota offers the MY24 HiAce range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which can stretch out to seven years when the vehicle is serviced within the Toyota network and within its scheduled intervals.
Toyota also offers HiAce buyers six capped-price services, totalling $1,560 over the course of six visits, or $260 a pop.
Service intervals for the Toyota HiAce range remain at a relatively short six months or 10,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.
Our Verdict: Is the Toyota HiAce Worth it?
While not much has changed for the HiAce range in 2024, it remains the benchmark for a midsize van for more than a few good reasons.
With a heap of options available for a variety of buyers, relatively smooth on-road manners, and simply outstanding practicality, the HiAce asserts itself as one of the most confident cargo-haulers that can be driven by virtually anyone.
As a result, we can’t help but recommend you add the HiAce to your shortlist if you’re in the market for a practical midsize cargo van.
On that note, if you’re looking to upgrade to a new set of wheels, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help take the stress out of the process and even find you the best possible price.
Five Toyota HiAce Specs You Need to Know
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Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty
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Warranty extends to seven years when serviced within the network
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7.5 - 8.5L per 100km combined cycle fuel economy figures
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6.2 - 9.3m3 cargo dimensions
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Five-star ANCAP safety rating
Get in touch with one of our Car Buying Specialists today.
Request a quote