Toyota Hiace 2019 Review

The first thing of note is that Toyota has shifted to a semi-bonnet design (it has a snout now); the van is also wider than the previous model. From the moment you open the door and jump in (like a truck) you can feel the difference. The seating position is more relaxed and feels a lot more spacious around the driver. The digital centre dash board display screen at first glance looks like it says a lot, and it does…my first drive in the city and the van audibly warned me to observe the traffic regulations, pointed out high-crash areas, red lights, and (old, unused) fixed speed camera placements.

The new Hiace features the Toyota Safety Sense package, which is now standard across the new range. The new model Hiace includes Toyota Safety Sense consisting of Pre-Collision System with Autonomous Emergency Braking and vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian detection. It also has Lane Departure Alert with brake control (Yaw Assist) and vehicle sway warning, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beam. Other safety features include Trailer Sway control, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. In addition to the reversing camera, the all-new Hiace also gains front and rear parking sensors.

Driver and passenger technology have also been updated. All models have a 7” touchscreen audio unit with satellite navigation and SUNA traffic channel as well as Mobile Assistant, Bluetooth and Voice Recognition. The driver cockpit has a 4.2” colour multi information display with a digital speedometer, and cruise control.

By shifting the engine and front wheels forward of the driver and front passenger, the Hiace gains increased quietness and comfort when travelling, and improved egress and ingress. The semi-bonnet platform also provides a longer wheelbase with increased exterior length by 570mm for the ZR and 535mm for the ZX over the previous model – and revisions to the cargo area shape allowing drivers to take advantage of the increased payload, by up to 85kgs in the ZR. The front door opening has a wider step, providing greater access. Larger fixed-glass areas on the front doors increase side-to-side visibility. A lower belt line gives the driver an improved downward field of vision at the front.

The Hiace ZR has four variations – a six-speed manual transmission two-seater with full glass windows; a six-speed automatic transmission two-seater with full glass windows; a five-seater (2+3) automatic with half glass and solid panels and nine airbags; and a 10-seat automatic with full glass featuring additional speakers, rear cooling and rear heaters. The ZR is 5265mm long with a height of 1990mm. The two and five-seaters have dual sliding doors while the 10-seat ZR has a left-hand side sliding door.

The Hiace ZR is priced from $44,990, all van (2-seat) and crew van (5-seat) variants received a 5-Star ANCAP safety rating.