- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.8DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
130kW, 450Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 8.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2019)
2021 Toyota HiAce LWB diesel automatic review
Some key competitors have come in for a refresh since the Toyota HiAce launched. Does Toyota’s stalwart work van still stack up?
- Stable and comfortable, both empty or loaded
- Plain, simple and easy to use
- Huge step up in refinement and safety for anyone trading from the old model
- Could really use more than one USB port
- Visibility around the A-pillar is challenging at times
- More cabin storage would be great for a working van
Look around your average city block, residential street, industrial estate or any location in between and you’ll probably spot a previous-generation HiAce.
They’re Australia’s most popular choice as delivery vehicles, service vans and tucker trucks. Now that the ‘new’ HiAce has been with us for a few years, and as competitors brush up their offerings, does the trusty 2021 Toyota HiAce hold up?
The range offers both long and super-long wheelbase lengths, matched to a low roof on LWB and high roof on SLWB models. Toyota also offers buyers the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed auto, along with the expected option of a turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, or (slightly unusually) a petrol V6.
Because diesel drives this market, we’ve taken the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel LWB model around the block, matched by the available six-speed automatic. It’s the format now favoured by most buyers in the segment.
The range starts from $39,740 plus on-road costs for the cheapest petrol, manual, LWB version. Stepping up to a diesel engine takes the tip-in price to $43,240, or the automatic seen here starts from $45,240 plus on-road costs.
On top of the base price, the car tested includes a GL Package ($1000), which adds extras like painted bumpers and door handles, front fog lamps, chrome grille and tailgate garnish and a digital rear view mirror. Ticking this box also unlocks the option of silver metallic paint ($600), as seen here.
Standard configuration covers things like a one-piece lift-up tailgate at the rear, and dual sliding doors at the sides, with a window in the left wide only. Via the options it’s possible to delete the door glass on the left, or delete the right sliding door as well.
Key details | 2021 Toyota HiAce LWB diesel automatic |
Engine | 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel |
Power | 130kW @ 3400rpm |
Torque | 450Nm @ 1600-2400rpm |
Weight (tare) | 2220kg |
Drive type | Rear-wheel-drive |
Transmission | Six-speed automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 58.6kW/t |
Price (MSRP) | $45,240 |
Inside the rear the layout is fairly simple. There’s no bulkhead at the front of the cargo area, but it’s possible to add one as an accessory. Despite the connected front to rear access, there’s no driver step-through either, with a low-line centre console impeding access.
In the cargo box itself there’s a painted metal floor, six tie-down points, particle board lower side panelling and a lioned roof. The rest is pretty much open to customisation, from floor mats to side racks, internal ladder mounts and more.
Up front, the new HiAce is a fair bit fresher than the old, but it is still clearly a commercial vehicle. Robust hard plastics dominate, and practicality rules over design flourishes.
The dash design and layout is simple, with big clear buttons. There’s a cup-holder at each end of the dash for driver and passenger. Surprisingly, apart from the floor tray, there’s no upper dash bins or overhead console for storage, but the glovebox and door bins at least hold some odds and ends.
Given that power is everything these days, the HiAce goes light on ready to use charging options. There’s a 12-volt barrel connector and single USB point just beneath the dash-mounted gear selector, but no other inbuilt auxiliary power supplies.
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The infotainment system is an 8.0-inch touchscreen, with AM/FM radio, standard satellite navigation, Bluetooth and wired Apple CarPlay and Android auto connectivity.
It doesn’t rank as one of the most up to date systems available. In most applications, the nav system is likely to be sidelined by either a regular route or four couriers, a dedicated nav system – at the end of the day, radio reception is solid, which might be most important.
Mechanically the 2.8-litre diesel engine is rated to 130kW at 3400rpm and 450Nm from 1600-2400rpm. Pick the manual and torque is a little lower at 420Nm. The Hilux’s brawnier 150kW/500Nm tune is off the cards for the time being.
That’s a decent amount of urge for, what is essentially, a large empty box. Kerb weight is a stout 2205kg, but even once you start loading the rear, the HiAce is able to run around without ever really breaking a sweat.
By opting for the automatic transmission, the HiAce couldn’t be easier to run around in. As a sample drive we tried some door-to-door delivery runs and at no point did the transmission shudder or hiccup. Even running the selector from Park to Drive is smooth and easy (yes, strange callout) with the previous model’s stepped gate replaced with a straight-run quadrant.
If you’re operating in slippery conditions, or towing, there’s also the ability to shift gears manually via the shift lever. Being a torque convertor auto there’s no snatchiness at low speeds, so parking or lining up a towbar or tight loading bay are as simple as it gets.
With light loads and mostly urban running in light traffic the HiAce recorded 10.6L/100km against its 8.2L/100km. As usage varies wildly, take that with a grain of salt, lower on the highway, higher in heavy peak runs if that’s your use case.
With nothing too fancy to quell noise and vibration, the HiAce still comports itself well. On the road it’s settled and doesn’t stir up too much noise – but rev hard and you’ll hear the engine pipe up. Of course with nothing but a big empty box at the rear, you do get some echo and amplification from the rear too, but that’s subject to what you haul on a daily basis.
What you haul on a daily basis has 2530mm of length, 1760mm of width (or 1268mm between the rear wheels) and 1340mm, of height to reside in. Total cargo capacity is rated at 6.2m³, and with an Aussie pallet measuring 1165mm by 1165mm there’s enough raw space to fit two – if you can load them.
The one missing item is the availability of rear barn doors, which can make fork-loading a bit more difficult.
Rear leaf springs cope well with a load, but even unladen, the HiAce sits well on the road. It doesn’t bounce or skip over bumps and corrugations.
Steering sticks with a hydraulic system, not newer electric assistance. That lends it some extra weight, but doesn’t make it too heavy for tight moves.
Because the front wheels don’t have to put power down (the HiAce range is rear-wheel drive) the turning circle is a tight 11.0 metres, not bad at all for something 5265mm long riding on a 3210mm wheelbase.
At a glance | 2021 Toyota HiAce LWB diesel automatic |
Fuel consumption (claimed combined) | 8.2L/100km |
Fuel consumption (on test) | 10.6L/100km |
Fuel tank size | 70L |
Tow rating | 1500kg (braked) |
Boot volume | 6200L |
Length | 5265mm |
Width | 1950mm |
Height | 1990mm |
Turning circle | 11m |
ANCAP safety rating | Five star (tested 2019) |
Warranty | Five-year, unlimited km |
Servicing cost | $1470 (3 years) / $3550 (5 years) |
Price (MSRP) | $45,240 |
Colour as tested | Quicksilver - Metallic |
Options as tested | Metallic paint ($600), GL: pack ($1000) |
Competitors | Peugeot Expert | Ford Transit Custom | Hyundai iLoad |
Safety tech is well represented with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) including pedestrian and cyclist detection, speed sign recognition, lane-departure warning, auto high-beam, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, seven airbags, reversing camera and parking sensors front and rear.
A five-star ANCAP score was achieved, based on 2019 assessment criteria. Some of the latest passenger car tech, like adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist, or advanced intersection assist AEB haven’t yet made their way to the van range.
Toyota’s service schedule means the HiAce needs to report for a check-up at six-month or 10,000km intervals, where some rivals offer 12 month or 15,000-20,000km servicing.
Under Toyota’s capped-price service plan the first six dealer visits are priced at $245 per service. Warranty coverage spans five years/unlimited kilometres for private use, or as is likely to be the case for most HiAce owners, vehicles used as taxis, hire vehicles or engaged in transporting people or goods for payment carry a five-year/160,000km warranty.
Among the strengths of the HiAce is its simplicity. It’s simple to just jump in and drive. There’s no hidden features and no surprises. What you see is what you get.
That extends right down to the basic spec. You pick the length you want and height comes with it. Pick and engine, pick a transmission, and you’re on your way (so to speak) with no complex matrix of engines, sizes, and capacities to choose from.
Between its reputation for hard work, and that sterling simplicity, there’s a reason the HiAce was Australia’s favourite van in 2020. If you were after a safe bet, bank on the same again in 2021. It was our choice for Drive Car of the Year Best Van after all!