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2015 Toyota HiAce gets a new engine and a price cut

2015 Toyota HiAce gets a new engine and a price cut of up to $1000 for LWB diesel vans and sees a new five-seat crew van added to the line-up for 2015.

THE 2015 TOYOTA HiAce gets a new 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine offering 118kW and 243Nm of torque, which is an increase of 7kW and 2Nm, respectively. This is mated to either a six-speed manual or a new six-speed automatic transmission (which replaces the old model’s four-speed auto) which sees fuel consumption fall by almost 20%.

A diesel-powered five-seat crew van has been added to the range, along with the option of reducing the number of seats in the petrol commuter bus by two – from 14 to 12 – so it can be driven on a standard licence.

According to Toyota, every new HiAce is now equipped with electronic vehicle stability control, brake assist, hill-start assist control and an emergency stopping signal. Long Wheelbase (LWB) variants gain a window in the left-hand sliding door to improve driver visibility.

Pricing has been held steady for most HiAce variants, reduced by $1000 on the LWB diesel vans and increased by $500 for automatic petrol versions where the six-speed transmission replaces a four-speed unit.

Toyota executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the two new variants – diesel crew van and petrol 12-seat bus – were being introduced in response to demand from business owners and operators.

“The five-seat crew van enables drivers to transport fellow workers during the week and family members at other times,” Cramb said.

“Offering a 12-seat bus that can be driven on a standard licence will be much appreciated by tour operators and other users, saving them the cost of doing their own conversion,” he said.

“Simultaneous increases in output and fuel economy for the petrol engine, standard fitment of vehicle stability control and other safety features, plus other additional features will ensure the ongoing popularity of HiAce as Australia’s best-selling van and top-selling bus.”

HiAce’s 2.7-litre petrol engine now meets Euro 5 regulations with improvements including enhanced combustion efficiency and reduced engine friction.

Standard features on HiAce include a reversing camera with the image displayed in the electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, and also anti-skid brakes and cruise control. Other features include power operated mirrors, front windows and door locks, an LCD Multi-Information Display, hands-free telephone operation and voice activation for the audio and phone. Commuter bus models have the option of a power-operated sliding side door.

HiAce is in its 45th year of sales in Australia with sales of more than 295,000. It has been market leader of the combined van and light bus segments for more than two decades. Last year, HiAce commanded more than 40% of the light van segment with 6432 sales and more than 90% of the light bus segment with 2615 sales.


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Isaac Bober

Isaac Bober