Fifteen years is a long time in the automobile industry, with models often turning over every four to six years, so it comes as a surprise that the new HiAce has only just welcomed a new generation of the light commercial stalwart.
As if to make amends, Toyota Australia Vice-President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley says every aspect of the all-new HiAce has been designed to appeal to owners who often spend long days behind the wheel.
This includes better performance, a quiet cabin, smooth ride and improved handling and agility. “We are also providing HiAce customers with the same high level of
as found in our passenger cars and SUVs with a full suite of advanced Toyota Safety Sense technologies,” Mr Hanley says.
In a choice of nine variants to cater for a variety of users, vans are available in long wheelbase and super long wheelbase variants with a choice of new turbo-diesel and petrol engines, manual (LWB-only) or automatic transmissions and two-seat or five-seat capacity.
Prices start at $38,640, plus on-road costs, for the HiAce LWB van with the option of a 207 kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol or 130 kW 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
Both engines are also available in the SLWB van, mated with the auto transmission.
Toyota is also offering a LWB crew van that adds a second row of seats enabling it to carry up to four passengers and driver and is available exclusively with the turbo-diesel engine driving the rear wheels through the six-speed automatic transmission.
Leaving cargo behind, the new HiAce line-up includes the 12-seat Commuter model in two grades, both with the turbo-diesel / auto transmission powertrain, while the range-topping Commuter GL is a stylish small bus that offers prestige features such as power sliding side door, front and rear air-conditioning, six rear USB charge outlets, eight reading lights, premium upholstery and 16-inch alloy wheels.
STYLING
The bonnet-forward design has enabled the engine to be ahead of the front axle and seats compared with the previous model where the engine sat under the front seats directly above the axle. This provides easier access to the engine bay, improved safety and greater stability and ride comfort.
The wider track gives the vehicle a planted stance, while the solid sides of the front bumper have been rounded off at the grille to improve working in tight delivery spaces.
Aerodynamics are enhanced by a raked windscreen and side mouldings, chamfered rear corners and five stabilising fins on the side of the rear lamps.
INTERIOR
The cabin is designed to instil a bright feeling in occupants through materials, an expansive dashboard and a lower beltline with large glassed areas letting in the light.
Switchgear and instrumentation have been designed clear visibility. A tachometer and speedometer flanking a central 4.2-inch multi information display providing audio, phone, navigation and vehicle information.
The centre console features two 12-volt DC power sockets and three dial controls for ventilation and air-conditioning. These sit below a 7-inch multimedia touchscreen.
INFOTAINMENT
The multimedia system – Toyota’s latest – can be controlled via steering-wheel controls or the touchscreen that now offers pinch, swipe and flick gesture operation.
The latter also incorporates AM / FM / DAB+ radio, USB and Aux inputs, full Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic alerts, voice recognition, and Toyota Link apps including weather, fuel finder and travel times.
HiAces now come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They can be retrofitted to vehicles delivered before October 2019 at no cost.
Other new applications include Siri eyes-free mode for iPhones and Miracast, which allows compatible smartphone screens to be duplicated onto the touchscreen. Delivering high quality audio are two front-mounted speakers.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Headlining new powerplants across the HiAce range is a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which although of lower capacity than the previous units’ 3.0-litres, the new common-rail direct injection oil burner pumps out up to 30 kW and 150 Nm more than its predecessor.
In the vans, that equates to maximum power of 130 kW at 3400 rpm and peak torque of 420 Nm between 1400 and 2600 rpm with manual transmission.
Official combined fuel consumption for LWB turbodiesel models has been reduced to 7.5 L/100 km for manuals. Our test vehicle recorded 9.7 L/100 km in the urban environment and 5.7 on the open road.
SAFETY
Compared with the previous generation’s cab-over design, the new model moves the driver well behind the front axle and engine, providing a much greater distance to the front of the vehicle allowing for substantially increased crumple zones.
Toyota Safety Sense is on hand to help the driver and passenger stay safe, while earning a five-star ANCAP rating. Incorporated are a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian detection (day and night) and cyclist detection (day only); lane departure alert; road sign assist (certain speed signs only); and automatic high beam. Also included are blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and front and rear parking sensors.
All models also feature cruise control and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines showing images on the touchscreen. HiAce Vans are fitted with seven airbags
DRIVING
The test HiAce definitely turned heads in the supermarket car park. However, behind the radical front the new HiAce is a standard slab-sided van, which makes me think it could be susceptible to crosswinds, however nature didn’t assist us in being able to test this.
As diesel vans go, the 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine is muted and there’s little wind noise, leaving road rumble to intrude into the cabin. Adding loads to the cavernous cargo area puts paid to much of this unwanted driving accompaniment.
At the rear the door lifts to roof height, making loading easy. Sliding doors on either side of the van further assist ease of getting things in. A thoughtful touch is a large window in the left rear-side door: one less blind spot when parking in congested places.
Six floor-mounted tie-downs are enough to secure most cargo shapes and sizes and, with the dash-mounted gearshift, a walk-through from cabin to cargo area is a boon to constantly stopping courier drivers, especially in bad weather.
There is little to complain about the driver and passenger seats, which have both been redesigned to be more shapely, with thicker cushioning for improved comfort and support. They are finished in quality, durable fabric. The driver’s seat now offers six-way adjustment for height, slide and recline.
SUMMING UP
Toyota fans can not fail to be impressed with the latest HiAce. It remains to be seen what effect the new styling has on other members of a crowded light commercial vehicle segment.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
HiAce LWB van 3.5 V6 petrol manual $38,640
HiAce LWB van 3.5 V6 petrol automatic $40,640
HiAce LWB van 2.8 turbo-diesel manual $42,140
HiAce LWB van 2.8 turbo-diesel automatic $44,140
HiAce LWB crew van 2.8 turbo-diesel automatic $47,140
HiAce SLWB van 3.5 petrol automatic $48,640
HiAce SLWB van 2.8 turbo-diesel automatic $52,140
HiAce Commuter 2.8 turbo-diesel automatic $67,140
HiAce Commuter GL 2.8 turbo-diesel automatic $70,140
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Toyota dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS
(Toyota HiAce 2.8-litre in-line 4 cyl turbo-diesel, 6sp manual, LWB van)
Capacity: 2755 cc
Configuration: 4 cylinders in-line
Maximum Power: 130 kW @ 3400 rpm
Maximum Torque: 420 Nm @ 1400 and 2600 rpm
Fuel type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.5 litres per 100 km
CO2 emissions: 197 g/km
DRIVELINE:
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5265 mm
Width: 1950 mm
Height: 1990 mm
Wheelbase: 3210 mm
Turning circle: 11 m
Kerb weight: 2220 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
WARRANTY:
5 years / unlimited kilometres
