THE fifth-generation Toyota HiAce van celebrates its twelfth anniversary on the Australian market this year. The previous version lasted 15 years in production, from 1989 to 2004, so it is reasonable to expect the ubiquitous current shape to feature in local showrooms for some time to come.

Available in four body configurations with petrol and diesel engines, the HiAce defies its age by dominating both the 2.5-3.5-tonne light van segment (37.3 per cent at the time of writing) and the sub-20-seater light bus segment (81.7 per cent). However its market share in both categories is slipping.

Newer vans are nicer to drive, more fuel-efficient, better equipped and safer but they are also more expensive to buy and often cannot match the basic-built Toyota’s reputation for longevity, toughness and ease of maintenance.

We lived with the five-seat crew van for a week to see if there is life left in the old girl yet, or if the HiAce is a just a relic ripe for retirement.

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