Toyota announces HiAce update

Headlining the model updates, available from September, is the addition of new safety and security technology with the fitment of Toyota Connected Services to all models.

Inside, all three models benefit from upgraded features with Granvia customers treated to a higher level of luxury with rear privacy glass and carpeted front floor mats added as standard.

For HiAce, a large centre console box has been added to store business paperwork while Commuter GL grades gain an LED light inside the box, as well as upgraded USB charging ports.

All versions of the HiAce and Granvia are now powered by Toyota's durable 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, mated to an automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual gearbox offered on HiAce LWB van.

The turbo-diesel engine develops 130kW/450Nm when teamed with the six-speed automatic, with 420Nm of torque for the manual variant. In the HiAce Commuter, the turbo-diesel engine produces maximum outputs of 120kW of power and 420Nm of torque.

Overwhelming customer preference for the efficient turbo-diesel engine has led to the 3.5-litre petrol V6 for HiAce being discontinued while French Vanilla is now the sole paint choice.

The added features adopted for HiAce come with price increases of $990 across the range while upgraded Granvia prices rise by less than two per cent.

The manufacturer says the addition of Toyota Connected Services affords greater peace of mind for owners with the system able to automatically generate an emergency call to Toyota's 24/7 Emergency Call Centre and relay the location of the vehicle in the event of a collision that requires intervention, or if an airbag deploys.

Occupants can also manually trigger an emergency call to the call centre via an SOS button, allowing them to determine the vehicle's location and coordinate with emergency services.

If the vehicle is reported stolen, Toyota Connected Services can assist authorities to help track the vehicle's location via the stolen vehicle tracking (SVT) service.

Related reading:
All-new HiAce touches down
Pricing and specs announced for new HiAce
Toyota defends HiAce price hike

The HiAce has long been the king of the 2.5-3.5 tonne van segment with sales this year increasing by 51.9 per cent.

Both HiAce and Granvia are covered by the five-year Toyota Warranty Advantage6 and seven-year Toyota Warranty Advantage Extended Engine and Driveline7.

Toyota HiAce pricing:
LWB Van manual: $44,230
LWB Van automatic: $46,230
LWB Van 4-door automatic: $46,230
LWB GL Van automatic: $47,230
LWB Crew Van automatic: $49,230
SLWB Van automatic: $54,230
SLWB GL Van automatic: $55,230
SLWB Commuter Bus automatic: $69,230
SLWB Commuter GL Bus automatic: $72,230

Toyota Granvia pricing:
Six-seater: $65,150
Eight-seater: $67,150
VX 6-seater: $76,650
VX 8-seater: $76,650