Toyota Hiace

The sixth-generation Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer boasts a vastly improved interior compared to its predecessor. With one of the most spacious cabins in its class, it comfortably accommodates all 14 passengers with ample legroom. Unlike the Commuter variant's four-row seating, the Hiace GL Grandia Tourer adopts a 2-2-3-3-4 layout, providing passengers with more room to move when needed. The cabin offers generous headroom, allowing even tall individuals to stand upright without any inconvenience.

Toyota has opted for durable hard plastics in the cabin, striking a balance between quality and affordability. The dashboard and door panels have a matte finish, lending a touch of sophistication.

The seating is a blend of faux-leather and cloth in a dual-tone design, elevating the overall cabin aesthetics. While the cloth may be susceptible to dirt accumulation over time, the faux-leather proves resilient to daily wear and tear.

As for comfort, the seats offer excellent support for long journeys, minimizing the need for frequent adjustments. Despite lacking adjustable passenger seats in the 14-seater configuration, this hardly poses an issue in the vast and accommodating space of the Hiace.

Passenger and boot space 

The 2023 Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer boasts one of the most spacious cabins among its rivals. The seating arrangement is thoughtfully spaced out, providing comfortable seating for passengers. While the noise insulation meets standard levels, there's room for improvement as some outside wind noise can be heard inside the cabin. The suspension system performs well, effectively handling most bumps and potholes without compromising ride quality. The dual-zone air-conditioner efficiently cools the cabin.

When all seats are up, the cargo space may not be extensive, but there's additional storage space beneath the seats to accommodate luggage even in the all-seats-up mode. Moreover, the cabin offers numerous storage areas for added convenience. Folding down the rear bench increases the available boot space, providing flexibility for varying cargo needs.

Comfort and entertainment

The Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer features a 6.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Bluetooth connectivity, enhancing the appeal of its dashboard for a minivan. However, it's worth noting that the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support might be a drawback for some users. The tachometer is easily readable, contributing to the overall driving convenience. Surprisingly, even the last row of seats offers excellent stability and comfortable back-support, ensuring a pleasant experience during long rides. Moreover, the van is equipped with multiple multifunctional storage spaces, including a spacious glove box, providing practical storage solutions for various items.

The 2023 Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer sports a refreshed exterior design. With its substantial size, it can resemble a minibus from certain angles. While the updated version retains the halogen fog lamps and headlights, it may appear somewhat plain compared to its competitors. Notable enhancements include the extended rearview mirror, emphasizing the Hiace GL Grandia Tourer's commanding presence as a large vehicle. The high roofline adds to the spacious headroom inside the cabin. To optimize cabin space, there's only one door on the passenger side, while the rear door lacks a power-lift gate, closing with a solid thud. The taillights maintain a simple design. While the Toyota Hiace may not be the most visually striking, its standout feature remains its extensive and accommodating cabin space.

What are the dimensions of the 2023 Toyota Hiace?

The 2023 Toyota Hiace minivan boasts dimensions of 5,915mm in length, 1,950mm in breadth, and 2,280mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,860mm

What is the ground clearance of the 2023 Toyota Hiace?

Its ground clearance measures 185mm, matching that of the Toyota Innova Zenix.

The fuel economy of the Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer is modest, as expected from a people carrier. In city traffic, it achieves around 5kmpl, which is reasonable given its size and diesel engine. On highways, the fuel economy improves admirably to 12kmpl, thanks to its aerodynamic properties.

The 2023 Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer is undeniably a large vehicle, and for some drivers not accustomed to handling such commanding minivans, it might initially feel intimidating. The three-spoke multifunction steering requires some practice to get used to, as it can feel a bit heavy. However, despite its size, maneuvering the Toyota Hiace is surprisingly easy, even on city streets. While it may not offer sedan-like handling, the van provides a very stable ride. The vehicle's pickup might not be outstanding, but once it gets going, it offers a smooth and stable driving experience. Thanks to its low ground clearance, body roll is minimal, and the 16-inch wheels provide good traction.

The Toyota HiAce GL Grandia Tourer features a turbocharged 2.8-litre diesel engine producing 163 PS of maximum power and 420 Nm of peak torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission (AT). The van rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, equipped with MacPherson struts in the front and a new rigid, leaf-spring combination at the back, ensuring a well-balanced ride even on bumpy roads.

While the 2.8-litre engine can feel underpowered when carrying a full load of 14 passengers and cargo, it still manages to get the job done. However, power delivery can be slightly delayed, and Toyota should address this issue. On the other hand, the 3.0-liter diesel engine is available for the standard Toyota Hiace Commuter trim, producing 136 PS of maximum power and 300 Nm of peak torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission (MT). The body construction remains consistent across all models.

The Toyota Hiace boasts an impressive array of safety features, although they might not be considered cutting edge. The availability of certain equipment varies depending on the trim level. Standard safety equipment for the Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer includes antilock braking, brake assist, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, engine immobilizer, and vehicle stability control. Additionally, all occupants are provided with three-point seatbelts for enhanced safety. The GL Grandia Tourer also comes with a standard backup camera, although its coverage area is relatively small. However, it's important to note that the lower trims of the Toyota Hiace miss out on the convenient speed-sensing door locking system.

How many airbags does the 2023 Toyota Hiace have? 

The 2023 Toyota Hiace is equipped with two airbags, providing safety for both the driver and front-passenger.

How many cameras does the 2023 Toyota Hiace have?

As for cameras, the minivan comes with a single backup camera to assist with parking and maneuvering.

Value for money

In terms of value for money, the Toyota Hiace is a compelling option. With prices starting at ₱‎ 1.166 million for the standard model and ₱‎ 2.229 million for the GL Grand Touring trim, it offers excellent comfort and features. Despite lacking a few driver-assist features, its reliability as a Toyota product makes it a trusted choice in the market.

Warranty

Toyota provides a comprehensive warranty of five years or 150,000km (whichever comes first) for all models in the Hiace series. Additionally, the company offers a generous ₱‎20,000 cash discount on all bookings of the GL Grand Tourer.

Are original spare parts of the 2023 Toyota Hiace available in the Philippines?

Indeed, the Philippines offers a readily available supply of authentic spare parts for the 2023 Toyota Hiace minivan. These original parts are accessible at authorized Toyota dealerships and service centers. Additionally, Toyota has introduced an express maintenance scheme, ensuring efficient service within one hour of car reception, reducing the standard waiting time of two hours.

2023 Toyota Hiace vs Nissan NV350 Urvan 

Both the Toyota Hiace and Nissan NV350 Urvan are popular choices for Filipino families. The Hiace stands out with its larger size and spacious cabin, providing similar travel comfort to the NV350 Urvan. The Hiace Grandia has a slightly more powerful engine and comparable safety features. Additionally, the Hiace offers more seating combinations. However, the NV350 Urvan comes with a higher starting price at ₱1.199 million.

2023 Toyota Hiace vs Maxus V80

With China-made vehicles gaining traction in the Asia-Pacific market, the Maxus V80 is another option in the Philippines minivan segment. While both vans offer family-friendly cabins and comfortable rides, the Toyota Hiace has a more powerful 2.8-liter diesel engine. The vans share similar safety equipment and driver-assist features, but the Hiace provides more seating options and outperforms the V80 in terms of handling. Moreover, the Hiace comes with a lower starting price compared to its Chinese counterpart.

2023 Toyota Hiace vs Foton Transvan

The Foton Transvan is a popular executive-style minivan with a 2.7-liter diesel engine producing 148PS of power. It balances practicality and luxury, featuring a plush interior. However, the Toyota Hiace remains the benchmark in the affordable minivan segment, excelling in functionality. While the Transvan is priced slightly higher at ₱1.168 million, the Hiace offers a more versatile and accommodating experience.

Is the 2023 Toyota Hiace worth buying? 

Despite not being the most stylish or affordable minivan in the Philippines market, the Toyota Hiace compensates with its exceptional space and comfortable ride. Its versatility allows it to seat up to 14 people, making it an ideal choice for large gatherings. Although there are more equipped executive-class minivans available, none can match the Hiace's functionality. With smooth ride quality and a well-balanced suspension system, the Hiace offers a practical choice for families. Its ample passenger door allows for easy entry and exit. Considering these factors, the 2023 Toyota Hiace is undoubtedly a worthy investment.