Review: 2015 Hino 300 Series 921

From Mount Panorama to Summernats, the mega dump trucks of the mining industry to the serpentine road trains of the outback, Australia's automotive culture has always placed performance on a pedestal – the more power and torque, the better. And while Hino's 300 Series 921 High Horsepower is a far cry from the tyre-shredding might of a V8 Supercar or the sheer grunt of a heavy haulage monster, in its own particular niche it's named as it is for good reason.

Hino says the 921 is Australia's most powerful truck up to a GVM of 10,400kg, with eight per cent more power and a hefty 18 per cent more torque than its closest rival, Isuzu's NQR 450.

The auto-only 921's headline numbers are 151kW (205hp) at 2600rpm and 600Nm at 1500rpm, while the 920 – also a 'High Horsepower' model but equipped with a six-speed manual transmission – sees those figures drop to 139kW (189hp) and 510Nm.

Hino's Senior Divisional Manager – Brand and Franchise Development, Bill Gillespie, says the High Horsepower models have been received well since their introduction in mid-2014.

"We had half a year to attack that market and we well and truly exceeded our targets, so we're very happy with the take-up," he says.

"The plan at launch was to achieve a 15 per cent market share, or about 120 trucks in six months, and we actually sold 133 and achieved a 19 per cent market share."

Gillespie says Hino Australia has its sights set on close to 300 units for 2015.

The 921 impressed at the model's national press launch last year – a run from Sydney to Bathurst – but trucksales.com.au was keen to assess the truck in slightly less controlled environs. To that end we recently spent several days driving it in mainly city traffic, with a spell of busy industrial estates thrown in for good measure.

Arriving with a box truck body, our test vehicle is loaded with two tonnes of concrete to claim roughly half of its available payload, delivering an all-up running weight of around 6500kg. In standard trim the 921 has an 8500kg GVM, but it can also be rated at 7995kg or even 4495kg so it can be driven on either a light rigid or car licence respectively, with reduced payloads to suit.

Under the cab lies Hino's JO5E-UJ engine – a 5.1-litre in-line four-cylinder intercooled turbo-diesel. Emissions compliance is handled by an EGR system with diesel particulate filter.

In the 921, the engine is mated to an Aisin six-speed automatic with double overdrive – a true auto with lock-up torque converter. The powertrain is a step up from the usual 4.0-litre 300 Series engines, while the auto features the same ratios but has been strengthened to handle the extra output.

From behind the wheel we have no complaints about the available grunt. The engine feels strong throughout the majority of its rev range, while it gets most of its work done between 1000 and 2000rpm. It sits on 2220rpm at 100km/h in sixth gear with the overdrive engaged, which slices around 500rpm from its engine speed for more relaxed and frugal performance. Redline is indicated at approximately 2750rpm and when used in anger the needle will spin to around 2600rpm – at which point it's producing maximum power – before hooking another cog.

Generally speaking, the 921 feels potent on the road, and certainly it doesn't even seem to notice the two-tonne load. The throttle is light and responsive and acceleration from around-town speeds is quite brisk, backing up those none-too-subtle claims plastered all over the truck. On a long climb while skirting Geelong it drops a gear but is entirely happy to plough on at 90km/h and 2000rpm – no sweat.

The auto is a real highlight; it's highly refined and seamlessly smooth in its operation, offering logical and decisive shifts over a range of terrain. The fact you can lie the shifter flat on its side when stationary is also handy – this makes it far easier to scoot across the cab if need be.

Cab entry is simple thanks to sturdy foot plates, A-pillar grab handles and large doors that open wide. Once ensconced behind the wheel getting comfy is easy; the driver's suspension seat uses a torsion bar with magnetic damping and offers adjustment for everything bar height, while the steering wheel is adjustable for both tilt and reach.

The seating is comfy enough and both the driver and passenger get three-point seat belts. It's only a lap belt on the middle seat, which folds forward to provide a roomy plastic tray.

Cabin storage is average. The twin overhead shelves are good but the non-locking glove box is small and the door side pockets are tiny. The sensibly placed bottle holders at either end of the dash are complemented by two cup holders, while we appreciate the long mid-dash shelf and the various central compartments.

Although it’s a workhorse, Hino hasn't skimped on features. The truck comes standard with a reversing camera that is complemented by a reversing alarm and an external microphone. Up to two extra cameras can be added for a wider-angled view.

The camera view is displayed on Hino's 6.1-inch colour touchscreen, which is also the nerve centre for an audio/entertainment system comprising AM/FM radio, CD, DVD, DAB digital radio, and optional sat-nav. The buttons aren't huge and so it's a little fiddly to operate on the move, but the sound quality is decent and it comes with SD card and USB input, plus Bluetooth.

Sadly absent, however, is cruise control. There is a speed limiter, but it can only be set and adjusted at the dealership.

Vision is excellent thanks to skinny A-pillars and expansive glass. The mirrors are large, offering a split/convex arrangement with electric adjustment and heating. They offer a great view to the rear.

Particularly impressive is the 921's suite of safety features. The cab meets ECER29 crash-test standards and antilock brakes are complemented by switchable traction control and vehicle stability control. Hino is the only truck manufacturer to offer VSC as standard across its light-duty range – let's hope more manufacturers follow suit.

The cab's tough vinyl flooring should prove durable and is easy to wipe clean, while the dash's dark plastics should also wear well. The upholstery is done in a soft velour-style fabric. It's pleasant to touch but it doesn't appear especially robust – Hino offers hard-wearing covers as an option.

Underway, both engine and wind noise make their presence known. The level of ambient noise is entirely acceptable, but it's a good thing the stereo is powerful.

The ride, too, is entirely adequate. A leaf spring with shocks and stabilisers is found at each end and the truck rolls on quality Yokohama rubber. The set-up irons out our typically crappy roads well enough while the suspension seat also helps isolate shocks from the driver.

Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes provide excellent stopping power and good feel at the pedal, all backed by ABS. There's also an exhaust brake but its added assistance is negligible.

Our test truck's van body, from AllTruck Bodies, features a Dhollandia tail lift, but buyers can work with their Hino dealer to arrive at a bespoke set-up. Hino says it's gone to some lengths to make life easy for body builders, with the 921 featuring a wider, straight-rail chassis with a grid-hole design for easier installation of bodies and auxiliary components.

After around 350 kilometres spent mainly running around town but also with some highway work, the 921's trip computer displayed an average fuel consumption of 4.9 kilometres per litre – a figure backed up at the bowser. With the 921's excellent 170-litre fuel tank capacity that's a safe working range of around 750 kilometres.

Hino quotes a recommended retail price of $66,140 for the 921 (as a bare cab/chassis, plus on-roads) and it comes with Hino's three-year, 100,000km factory warranty. Factory service intervals are pegged at every 20,000 kilometres and Hino offers a range of factory accessories for the model.

While the 921's performance impressed from the outset, after spending some time with the truck its comfort and ease of use soon emerged as equally attractive attributes. Add in its comprehensive safety systems and load-lugging ability, and it seems Australia's love affair with horsepower is set to continue – even at the lighter end of the truck market.

What we liked:
>> Spirited performance
>> Impressive safety features
>> Quality construction

Not so much:
>> No cruise control
>> Speed limiter requires dealer to adjust
>> Audio/entertainment unit is a bit fiddly to operate

2015 HINO 300 SERIES 921 HIGH HORSEPOWER SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE: Hino JO5E-UJ, 5.1-litre, in-line, four-cylinder, intercooled, common-rail turbo-diesel
POWER: 205hp (151kW) at 2600rpm
TORQUE: 600Nm at 1500rpm
EMISSIONS: ADR 80/03
TRANSMISSION: A465 six-speed automatic with double overdrive
CONFIGURATION: 4x2
FRONT SUSPENSION: Leaf spring with shock and stabiliser, I-beam axle
REAR SUSPENSION: Leaf spring with shock and stabiliser, fully floating axle
GVM: 8500kg (std); 7995kg (opt1); 4495kg (opt2)
GCM: 12,000kg (std); 7995kg (opt1)
WHEELBASE: 3500mm; 3800mm; 4400mm
FUEL CAPACITY: 170 litres
BRAKES: All round ventilated discs, ABS equipped
CABS: Single or crew cab
SAFETY: ABS, vehicle stability control, traction control, driver and passenger SRS airbags
WARRANTY: Three years or 100,000km
WEB: www.hino.com.au