Toyota has added a barn-door choice to its strong-selling HiAce van after near 20 years.
Though the HiAce gives normal twin sliding doorways on its measurement, it is solely supplied a lift-up tailgate on the rear for the reason that HiAce SBV was axed in 2003. That is not best if it’s worthwhile to reverse as much as a raised loading dock, or need to load the van utilizing a forklift.
For extra Motoring associated information and movies take a look at Motoring >>
The dearth of barn doorways has not proved an obstacle to gross sales for the reason that newest automotive’s launch. It was the best-selling mid-sized van in Australia in 2020 and 2021, and retained the title in 2022 with a 37.9 p.c slice of its market.
It won’t be attractive, however the HiAce stays an enormous deal within the van world.
Past the barn doorways, there aren’t any modifications to the HiAce for 2023. It options turbo-diesel energy as normal – the V6 was axed on the again of restricted buyer demand – and is available in any coloration so long as it is white.
Every little thing that is been good about it since launch stays good in 2023.
How a lot does the Toyota HiAce value?
The HiAce vary now kicks off at $46,360 earlier than on-road prices for a liftback mannequin with a handbook transmission, leaping to $48,360 earlier than on-roads for the liftback with an automated.
Choosing the Barn Door choice provides $750 to the worth tag, that means our tester will set you again $49,110 earlier than on-roads.
That aligns it with the Ford Transit Custom 340L LWB Auto ($52,390), Renault Trafic Pro LWB auto ($52,200), and Hyundai Staria Load Premium van ($51,240).
2023 Toyota HiAce pricing:
Van
- Toyota HiAce LWB Van 6MT: $46,360
- Toyota HiAce LWB Van 6AT: $48,360
- Toyota HiAce LWB Panel Van 6AT: $48,360
- Toyota HiAce LWB GL Van 6AT: $49,360
- Toyota HiAce LWB Crew Van 6AT: $51,360
- Toyota HiAce SLWB Van 6AT: $56,920
Barn Door
- Toyota HiAce LWB Barn Door Van 6AT: $49,110
- Toyota HiAce LWB Barn Door Panel Van 6AT: $49,110
- Toyota HiAce LWB Barn Door GL Van 6AT: $50,110
- Toyota HiAce SLWB Barn Door Van 6AT: $57,670
What’s the Toyota HiAce like on the within?
Earlier than we get to the passengers, let’s speak cargo area.
The LWB mannequin on take a look at right here measures 5265mm lengthy, 1950mm extensive and 1990mm tall, with a 3120mm wheelbase.
With a cargo bay that is 2530mm lengthy, 1760mm extensive (1268mm between the arches) and 1340mm tall, the LWB has 6.2m3 of area in its cargo bay, in comparison with 9.3m3 within the SLWB.
The metallic flooring, picket wall trims, and lack of a cargo divider all made the HiAce really feel a bit naked, however it’s price noting homeowners will instantly delve into the accent catalog to get their van prepared for no matter work they’re doing.
Entry by the barn doorways is superb, as you’d count on. You may want to make use of a handbook strut to lock them into place correctly at 90 levels in tight areas, however they will maintain themselves when opened to the utmost 180 levels.
Though it’s kind of naked, the HiAce is a snug place to spend time. There’s loads of adjustment within the steering wheel, the seat slides far sufficient to accommodate lengthy legs, and the seat padding finds a steadiness between consolation and help.
Visibility by the windscreen is first rate, however the stubby little bonnet is tough to see which makes inserting the van in tight areas more durable than it was within the previous mannequin with its vertical entrance finish. In fact, your legs aren’t within the crumple zone this time round.
The upright dashboard is primary, however has all the things the common tradie would wish. There are three cupholders on the sprint. A large storage bin between the seats options right here, which wasn’t the case within the handbook mannequin we drove in 2020.
It has a usable flat high, and a rubberised area at your ft. Not solely does it assist you to retailer stuff, it supplies a flat area for signing paperwork or dealing with paperwork on the transfer.
Toyota’s infotainment know-how is serviceable, however it’s step by step being changed throughout the vary by a system with sharper graphics and sooner responses.
Manufacturing facility satellite tv for pc navigation is helpful for drivers delivering past the attain of cellular reception.
Having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto papers over a number of the infotainment system’s shortcomings, though it isn’t wi-fi as is the case in newer Toyota merchandise.
It labored flawlessly throughout our time with the automotive, and gives far simpler entry to phone-quality leisure, telephone calls, and mapping.
What’s underneath the hood?
The 2023 Toyota HiAce is powered by a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 130kW of energy and 450Nm of torque with the six-speed automated fitted to our tester.
Choosing the entry six-speed handbook drops that torque output to 420Nm.
The 2023 Toyota HiAce makes use of a claimed 8.2L/100km in LWB auto guise, however we noticed 11.2 liters per 100km on per week with a robust skew to metropolis driving.
The gasoline tank holds 70 liters.
How does the Toyota HiAce drive?
The turbo-diesel engine within the HiAce is shared with the HiLux ute, and packs loads of torque down low.
In comparison with the handbook we drove in 2020, the automated mannequin packs 30Nm extra torque. It does not really feel all that a lot faster unloaded, however each additional little bit of twist helps if you’re lugging round a heavy load.
Unladen, the HiAce scoots alongside effortlessly. The automated transmission shuffles easily by the ratios, typically retaining the revs under 3000rpm to save lots of gasoline and preserve the cabin fairly quiet.
There is a first rate serving of diesel clatter if you lean on the throttle, however it’s impressively easy and quiet at a cruise. Even with a load on board it feels robust, regardless of its 2200kg kerb weight and the actual fact the identical engine within the HiLux pumps out 20kW and 50Nm extra once more.
The place the HiLux ute misses out on cease/begin, nonetheless, it options within the HiAce which is a win when you spend a variety of time at a standstill. It may well simply be turned off when you do not prefer it.
Our tester was lavatory normal, which suggests there was no divider between the load bay and cabin. Which means it’s extremely echoey within the cabin, and all of the noises from the driveline which are normally muffled are audible by the ground.
It is not a problem for homeowners who match a cabin divider, and highway noise was nonetheless totally bearable at 100km/h with out one. My passenger and I might chat with out elevating our voices, and telephone calls nonetheless labored with out an excessive amount of bother.
With its lengthy wheelbase and extensive observe, the HiAce feels properly planted on the freeway. It does not get knocked round by crosswinds, and the steering is exact sufficient to encourage confidence on sweeping bends.
Mixed with cruise management (albeit not adaptive), the sensation of stability means it eats up the miles extra fortunately than its flighty predecessor ever might.
Sadly, the lane-keep help is overzealous. Slightly than steering you again between the white traces, it brakes when it detects you drifting. It is extra rudimentary than the steering help supplied elsewhere within the Toyota vary, and feels very abrupt behind the wheel.
The bigger physique on the brand new HiAce makes itself identified on the town. The previous mannequin was simple to pilot as a result of the driving force sat on the very entrance of the car. At 1950mm extensive, the brand new mannequin can also be 355mm wider than the automotive it replaces.
With a widescreen view out the entrance, giant mirrors, and commanding driving place, you’ll be able to nonetheless thread the HiAce by town with relative ease although. The sunshine steering makes maneuvering by laneways or tight loading docks a breeze, and the reversing digital camera is nice sufficient that it is helpful to have when you’re making an attempt to line up a trailer.
The turning circle is superb, relative to the car’s measurement. You may be shocked by how usually a U-turn will suffice the place a three-point flip could have been needed.
What do you get?
All HiAce fashions seat two occupants, besides the Crew Van which seats 5 and the Commuter which seats 12.
New for the 2023 mannequin yr is the choice of rear barn doorways that change the only tailgate with a pair of vertically break up doorways, which on LWB fashions embody twin rear wipers.
HiAce highlights:
- 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 screen
- Entrance USB port
- Cruise management
- Leather-based-accented steering wheel
- Driver powered lumbar help
Is the Toyota HiAce protected?
The final HiAce was not identified for its crash security, however the brand new one launched with the purpose of fixing that.
It has a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing carried out in 2019. It earned a 94 per cent rating for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for baby occupant safety, 84 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 77 per cent for security help.
Customary security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Computerized high-beam
- Visitors signal recognition
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
Nearly all of the 2023 Toyota HiAce vary has seven airbags, in addition to the LWB Crew Van which has 9. The Commuter has three.
The HiAce vary additionally acquired Toyota Linked Companies for 2022, which features a 24/7 Emergency Name Middle operate that relays the car’s location within the occasion of a collision “that requires intervention” or if an airbag deploys.
The e-call operate may also be triggered manually through an SOS button contained in the cabin.
How a lot does the Toyota HiAce value to run?
Toyota backs its autos with a five-year, unlimited-kilometer guarantee, prolonged to seven years on the drivetrain when you service inside its vendor community.
Capped-price servicing is obtainable for the primary six visits, required each six months or 10,000 kilometers.
It is a disgrace homeowners have to go to the vendor twice a yr, particularly contemplating the actual fact van drivers are typically reliant on their autos for work. Every service is capped at $260.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota HiAce
The HiAce is a robust vendor for a cause.
It was already refined, protected, and sensible; the addition of barn doorways has solely made it extra so.
Though the demise of the V6 petrol engine and exterior coloration choices have narrowed the vary, the turbo-diesel is a better choice for many operators and aligns the HiAce higher with its diesel-only rivals.
Points? The six-month service intervals are too quick for personal homeowners, not to mention skilled operators reliant on their autos to earn cash. It is the one actual blight on what’s in any other case a really succesful van.
MORE: Everything Toyota HiAce
Execs
- It has barn doorways now
- Polished drive, even unloaded
- Full suite of security assists normal
Cons
- Six-month service intervals
- Common infotainment and digital camera tech
- Costs have risen for 2023
High Line Specs
- Energy: 130kW
- Gasoline Sort: Diesel
- Economic system: 8.2L/100km
- CO2 Emissions: 214g/km
- ANCAP Security Ranking: 5
