Toyota HiAce prices jump
BY RON HAMMERTON | 18th Apr 2019
BIG improvements across the all-new Toyota HiAce range will come at a cost, with prices rising by between $4000 and $6000 when the new range lands in Australian showrooms in mid year.
The first new HiAce in 15 years gets a ground-up makeover, including a fresh body with a protruding bonnet, new powertrains, passenger-car levels of safety, and more comfort and convenience features.
The current 12-variant range has been trimmed to nine, with greater focus on diesel and automatic transmissions in the new line-up.
The old 2.7-litre petrol engine makes way for a modern 3.5-litre V6, while the ageing 3.0-litre diesel has been ditched for the HiLux’s more efficient 2.8-litre unit.
Toyota has not spelled out power and torque figures for these engines, but a similar V6 turns out 218kW and 350Nm in the current Kluger, and the HiLux’s 2.8-litre diesel does 125kW and 343Nm.
The most affordable HiAce – the long-wheelbase petrol-powered goods van with a manual transmission – is now $38,640 plus on-road costs, representing a jump of more than $4000 over the current equivalent that sold for $34,470.
Coincidentally or not, that new price of entry to the HiAce range is $150 below the cheapest Hyundai iLoad.
A diesel HiAce crew van goes up by $5020, to $47,140, while the most affordable HiAce Commuter diesel bus jumps $6400, to $67,140.
Nevertheless, Toyota says the prices represent “superb value for money” for the HiAce, which is the long-time market leader with a share of more than 30 per cent in Australia.
Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said every aspect of the all-new HiAce has been designed to expand its role as the ideal work partner for people whose livelihoods depend on it.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“Its 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.”
Mr Hanley said Toyota had built on the HiAce heritage of quality, durability and reliability, factors that he said underpinned the strongest resale value in the segment.
Toyota Australia hopes Australia’s fleets and tradies will recognise the big improvement in safety systems that should carry a five-star safety rating once Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) testing is done.
New systems include autonomous braking with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist and auto high beam.
Blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and up to nine airbags (depending on the model) are also included.
Comfort features include height-adjustable driver's seat, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, manual air-conditioning and extensive storage areas with big front door bins and 1.5-litre bottle holders.
All controls for the audio, infotainment and cruise control systems are conveniently located on the steering wheel.
A 7.0-inch touch screen is standard, delivering – among other things – sat-nav with SUNA live traffic updates , Bluetooth and digital radio.
Toyota HiAce pricing*
| LWB van V6 | $38,640 |
| LWB van V6 (a) | $40,640 |
| LWB van diesel | $42,140 |
| LWB van diesel (a) | $44,140 |
| LWB crew van diesel (a) | $47,140 |
| SLWB van V6 (a) | $48,640 |
| SLWB van diesel (a) | $52,140 |
| Commuter diesel (a) | $67,140 |
| Commuter GL diesel (a) | $70,140 |
*Excludes on-road costs
