Pricing and specs announced for new HiAce

Toyota’s first all-new light commercial van in 15 years will hit Australian roads next month, when the company claims its radical new HiAce and HiAce Commuter range will bring improved value, safety and efficiency.

However, when it arrives in showrooms with its new semi-bonnet design, the new nine-variant HiAce range will be priced from $38,640 plus on-road costs — $4170 more than the outgoing SWB petrol manual HiAce.

The range tops out at $70,140, meaning prices will go up between $560 and $5020 across the range.

The new-entry grade HiAce model is powered by a 3.5-litre petrol V6 matched to a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. A six-speed automatic transmission is an option.

The bigger V6 is one of two engines offered in the 2019 Toyota HiAce range, the other being a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel familiar to the Fortuner, HiLux and Prado ranges. It’s a combination Toyota says will better meet the needs of commercial, private, corporate and fleet buyers.

“We focused on making the new-generation vehicle an even better tool of trade through enhanced design, increased performance, a quiet cabin, smooth ride and improved handling and agility,” said Toyota Australia’s vice-president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley.

“It’s also more refined, convenient and comfortable than ever, recognising that many owners rely on their HiAce as a mobile office and spend most of their working day inside their vehicle.”

Toyota will offer the new HiAce in 7.0 cubic-metre and 9.0 cubic-metre van variants, a four-passenger LWB Crew Van and 12-passenger Commuter bus guises, the latter offered with a higher trim GL variant for the first time.

All receive improved safety credentials via a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist and auto high-beam.

Further standard safety features include cruise control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and up to nine airbags depending on the model.

Toyota has uprated the ergonomics of the HiAce to include a height-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt and reach adjustable steering column, manual air-conditioning and increased oddment storage. All controls for the infotainment system are now located on the steering wheel.

The latest generation HiAce now includes a 7.0-inch multimedia system with AM/FM and digital radio (DAB+), CD player, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX inputs, and satellite navigation depending on grade.

A $1000 option pack adds body-coloured front and rear bumpers and door handles, halogen front fog lights, front and rear chrome trim, and a self-dimming mirror.

The new HiAce range is backed by Toyota’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and capped-price service advantage program.

“[The HiAce’s] impressive carrying capacity is even more flexible and user-friendly with increased internal width and height, and dual sliding side doors on van models which, for the SLWB variants, can take a standard Australian pallet,” added Hanley.

“At the same time, we’ve built on the HiAce heritage of quality, durability and reliability – factors that underpin its strong resale values and popularity as the world’s best-selling compact commercial van. Independent studies show that HiAce has the strongest resale value in its segment, retaining 68 per cent of its value after four years.”

How much does the 2019 Toyota HiAce cost?
LWB Van 3.5-litre V6 petrol 6MT — $38,640 (+$4170)
LWB Van 3.5-litre V6 petrol 6AT — $40,640 (+$3110)
LWB Van 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 6MT — $42,140 (+$4610)
LWB Van 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 6AT — $44,140 (+$4060)
LWB Crew Van 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 6AT — $47,140 (+$5020)
SLWB Van 3.5-litre V6 petrol 6AT — $48,640 (+$2950)
SLWB Van 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 6AT — $52,140 (+$2880)
Commuter 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 6AT — $67,140 (+$4110)
Commuter GL 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 6AT — $70,140 (new model)