The perfect-selling mid-sized van in Australia wants no introduction – it’s a staple within the section, and it wears an all-too-familiar badge.

The Toyota HiAce has existed for a really very long time, although this barn door model solely final 12 months made its return after an absence of practically 20 years. It’s a welcome addition, bringing additional usability to the already versatile Toyota van vary.

It added a fourth 12 months to its streak as best-selling mid-sized van in Australia in 2023, through which time 7133 models have been bought to say a 35.3 per cent share of its market. That’s round 2.0 per cent down on its slice the earlier 12 months, but it surely doesn’t imply the HiAce is struggling.

The following highest-selling vans in its section have been the LDV G10 (3638 models), Ford Transit Customized (2843 models), and Hyundai Staria Load (2497 models), however they’re a way behind the Toyota.

On check right here is the Toyota HiAce LWB Barn Door Panel Van, which hasn’t modified in any respect for 2024. It nonetheless has its turbo-diesel powerplant and is accessible in any color you need, as long as it’s French Vanilla.

It’s a tried and examined components, and Toyota has rightfully caught by its weapons as soon as once more. You already know what they are saying – if it ain’t broke…

How does the Toyota HiAce evaluate?

View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota HiAce in opposition to equally sized autos.

Toyota

HiAce

How a lot does the Toyota HiAce value?

The HiAce van is accessible with a selection of both a single tailgate or a pair of vertically cut up barn doorways. The barn doorways will set you again an additional $750, which implies our tester is priced at $49,110 earlier than on-roads.

To see how the HiAce stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s the Toyota HiAce like on the within?

It’s a industrial van with sizeable proportions, and the within displays what it says on the tin.

Certain, the cargo maintain is a bit naked on account of the metallic ground and picket wall panels, however simply take a look at how a lot area you get – 6.2 cubic metres of usable capability.

The shortage of any upholstery or trim means you don’t have to fret about damaging the inside when loading and unloading the HiAce, however that’s to not say you may’t go for something extra in case you want it.

House owners will little doubt be diving by the accent catalogue to equipment out the van swimsuit their wants, and Toyota presents a variety of goodies like an all-weather cargo liner, varied cargo boundaries, and canvas seat covers.

That makes the HiAce a correctly versatile pack mule.

On the ground of the HiAce are six heavy-duty eyelets situated on the entrance, center, and again of the cargo space. These can be utilized as tie-down factors for issues like pallets to cease them sliding into the again of the unprotected seats.

To check its cargo functionality we loaded up a full-size grime bike for a weekend journey and secured it utilizing the eyelets, which the van dealt with with ease. It’s rated for a 1075kg payload, so the 103kg bike was by no means going to be a problem.

The vast load ground means you’d positively have the ability to match one or two extra bikes with a little bit of inventive arranging, however the additional area we had in our check allowed us to throw in a big gear bag, instruments, and further tools with loads of room to spare.

It’s price noting there wasn’t an enormous quantity of area between the ceiling and the bike’s handlebars, so it was essential to duck down when loading and unloading. As soon as it was in, there have been no fitment points to talk of.

The inclusion of barn doorways on our tester positively made the method simpler, as entry is great after they’re open to their full 180-degree wingspan.

They’ll fortunately maintain themselves open at 180 levels, however in case you solely want them open midway you’ll have to interact a guide strut on every door. The struts are sturdy, and so they reside neatly clipped into the again of every door when not in use.

If that you must entry the van from both aspect, there are full-height sliding doorways included throughout the vary. There are aspect steps integrated behind every door, although they eat into ground area on the entrance of the cargo space.

Climbing into the entrance of the HiAce reveals a driving space that’s nicer than you would possibly count on.

In actual fact, in case you didn’t look over your shoulder you may be forgiven for pondering you have been in one thing like a less-equipped model of a late-2000s Prado.

Consistent with the van’s utilitarian development the cabin is a bit naked, however the material seats are comfy, there’s a great deal of room throughout, and it’s decked out in sturdy exhausting plastic with protecting rubber ground mats in addition.

Very like a late-2000s Prado you get a local weather management system that’s simply operated by buttons and dials, together with a variety of bodily controls for the infotainment system and the few driver help options. There are a number of button blanks scattered round on this spec of HiAce, however they don’t stand out.

The one two screens are for infotainment and car info, the latter of which is positioned between two analogue gauges on the instrument cluster. It shows menus which may be scrolled by utilizing buttons on the steering wheel.

The one actual draw back in right here (and it’s a small one) is the infotainment system, which is displaying its age. You’ll simply have to recollect you may solely use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by plugging your telephone into the only USB-A port, situated underneath the gear selector.

It’s nonetheless greater than purposeful for the typical HiAce proprietor, and the inclusion of built-in satellite tv for pc navigation is a pleasant contact. No less than with age comes loads of time to type bugs, and the entire system labored flawlessly throughout our week with the automotive.

Elsewhere, there are sensible storage choices like a big glovebox and centre console bin, and 5 cupholders all up – three on the dashboard and two on the again of the centre console.

There are additionally two giant, flat surfaces in the course of the cabin, that are excellent for storing paperwork and gadgets for fast entry on the transfer. It’s all laid out logically and is smart within the context of a piece van.

To see how the HiAce stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The HiAce is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. Many of the vary is fitted with a six-speed automated transmission, whereas a six-speed guide is accessible on solely the most cost effective variant.

Our examined gas economic system was greater than 2.0 litres worse than Toyota’s declare, even with primarily freeway driving over the course of our week with the van.

To see how the HiAce stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability device.

How does the Toyota HiAce drive?

Our tester was a bog-standard HiAce with no equipment, so it was a bit like driving round in an empty oil barrel.

Whereas spacious, the cavernous cargo space with its metallic ground, metallic partitions, and wooden panelling is echoey on the transfer and permits highway and driveline noise to make its manner inside.

Realistically although, it’d be unreasonable to count on this van to be another manner. It’s constructed for a function, and it serves that function very properly precisely the best way it’s.

The on-road expertise has even been improved over earlier generations, which used to seat occupants on high of the loud engine compartment. That’s not the case anymore, because the engine has been moved ahead and out of the cabin space beneath a brief bonnet.

That bonnet additionally means the HiAce is now safer than it’s ever been, as there’s extra metallic between your knees and no matter you would possibly hit. It does come on the expense of entrance visibility in tight areas, however I’d argue that’s of negligible influence if it means you’re extra more likely to stroll away from an accident.

Sideways visibility is compromised on this spec of HiAce, as an absence of home windows on the sliding doorways means you may’t see something over your shoulder if you wish to do a head-check. It does include blind-spot monitoring as normal, however it may be a little bit unnerving to rely solely on that operate when switching lanes on the freeway.

Rear home windows are included on Crew Van and Commuter variants, although they’re geared in the direction of transporting passengers in distinction to the usual LWB van’s cargo focus.

With out all the inside gear and further glass, our tester is without doubt one of the lightest variants of the entire HiAce vary. Which means its turbo-diesel engine has no points getting in control.

It produces loads of torque low within the rev vary, and doesn’t complain if that you must set off in a rush.

Give it some throttle at a standstill and also you’ll discover the way it picks up pace effortlessly, particularly unladen. Even with a load, it actually doesn’t cling round because it muscular tissues its manner by the rev vary.

The HiAce shares its turbo-diesel engine with the HiLux ute, but it surely positive factors a handy engine cease/begin operate that helps to save lots of gas in case you’re spending a variety of time at a standstill. If you happen to don’t need to hassle with that, there’s a button beneath the local weather controls to modify it off.

Motoring alongside within the HiAce proves to be a cushty expertise, because the engine and transmission mixture is buttery easy for a industrial van.

The six-speed gearbox means you’ll have lots to work with at low pace, whereas it permits the engine to tick alongside at low revs on the freeway – each saving gas and minimising the diesel chatter getting into within the cabin.

Its lengthy wheelbase and vast stance makes it really feel planted on the highway, which together with the stable and direct steering makes it simple to drive. If you happen to’re used to a standard passenger automotive, it gained’t take you lengthy to really feel comfy behind the wheel of the HiAce.

Along with the blind-spot monitoring operate, it consists of giant aspect mirrors and rear home windows on its barn doorways for added visibility. Although it lacks adaptive cruise management, the usual cruise operate makes it a breeze to chug alongside on the freeway.

It’s no query the HiAce is an enormous car given it’s practically two metres vast, but it surely not often feels prefer it’s too large.

There’s a lane-keep help system to catch you in case you drift out of your lane, although as an alternative of gently steering you again on monitor it’ll seize your consideration by making use of the brakes. It’s not the top of the world however it is going to catch you out, particularly in case you’re on a narrower regional highway and have to keep away from one thing like a pothole.

To high all of it off the HiAce is surprisingly manoeuvrable, with gentle steering at low pace and that prime seating place making it simple to position in tight areas.

It has a stable turning circle too, and the reversing digital camera makes it simple to again right into a parking spot or as much as a trailer. All in all it’s about as match for the job as anybody might ever ask it to be.

What do you get?

All HiAce fashions seat two occupants, besides the Crew Van which seats 5 and the Commuter which seats 12.

Whereas choosing the barn doorways comes at a premium, you do get improved entry to the HiAce’s cargo maintain and a rear wiper for every door on LWB fashions.

The HiAce comes normal with the next options:

• 16-inch metal wheels
• Full-size spare wheel
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Bluetooth
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 4.2-inch instrument cluster show display
• Entrance USB port
• Cruise management
• Leather-based-accented steering wheel
• Driver powered lumbar help

Is the Toyota HiAce secure?

The HiAce wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing performed in 2019.

It scored 94 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for baby occupant safety, 84 per cent for susceptible highway consumer safety, and 77 per cent for security help.

Normal security tools consists of:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day/evening)
  • Bike owner detection (day)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Computerized high-beam
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Reversing digital camera
• Entrance and rear parking sensors

Many of the HiAce vary, together with our tester, has seven airbags. The exceptions are the LWB Crew Van, which has 9, and the Commuter, which has three.

The vary obtained Toyota Related Providers in 2022, which incorporates 24/7 Emergency Name Centre operate that relays the car’s location within the occasion of a collision.

That operate will activate if the car is concerned in a collision “that requires intervention”, or if an airbag deploys. Alternatively, it may be triggered manually by way of an SOS button situated on the cabin’s ceiling.

How a lot does the Toyota HiAce value to run?

As with the broader Toyota vary, the HiAce is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

That guarantee extends to seven years on the drivetrain in case you service your HiAce on time and throughout the Toyota supplier community.

Capped-price servicing is obtainable for the for six providers, that are required each six months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

These service intervals may be a contact brief for individuals who would possibly rely the HiAce for work functions, however at the very least they’re saved simple on the pockets at $260 every.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota HiAce

Unsurprisingly for the omnipresent Toyota model, its HiAce is a superb selection for a industrial work van.

There are a great deal of completely different variants and physique configurations to fit your particular person wants, and if that isn’t sufficient there’s loads of personalisation to be accomplished by way of the accent catalogues.

Even with out additional ins and outs added, on the HiAce does job holding the driving force comfy whereas holding loads of area for all kinds of cargo within the again. It may be a bit naked on this trim stage, however there’s no questioning its practicality.

The choice of barn doorways is an added bonus. If you happen to’re going to be utilising loading docks or lifting in cargo with a forklift it’s the apparent selection for ease of entry.

The barn door HiAce works particularly properly in its particular Panel Van variant too, as you don’t have to fret about damaging the inside throughout industrial use.

The great thing about the HiAce lineup is its sheer scope of functions, as there’s virtually at all times going to be an choice that’ll swimsuit you and your wants.

Mixed with the very succesful range-standard turbo-diesel engine, Toyota’s van staple will virtually actually have you ever lined in a method or one other.

A profit would positively be an upgraded infotainment system, however you’ll hardly mistaken in case you’re somebody who prefers to maintain your telephone hooked as much as CarPlay or Android Auto. It might additionally do with longer service intervals, as much less time spent on the supplier means much less work disruptions.

Regardless, in case you’re out there for a succesful van, the HiAce continues to be a smart addition to the want checklist.

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