Reviews: Why are Toyota HiAce so good for Famliy and Business Usage?

The Toyota HiAce has always been a go-to choice for a van or minibus since October 1967. This Japanese-made vehicle is continuously gaining popularity in the country and internationally. In the Philippines, aside from big families, the HiAce is commonly used as a commuter vehicle around the Greater Manila Area. It is also used as an ambulance, company shuttle services, camper van, and an all-around company business car. The Toyota HiAce is also a popular model for high-functioning customization mostly by Philippine celebrities, wherein they customize their HiAce with beds, television and entertainment system, tables, cabinets, and comfort rooms that suit their needs and lifestyle.

Variants

There is a wide selection for the Toyota HiAce, with 11 variants available in the Philippines. The Toyota HiAce 3.0 Cargo base variant is priced at Php1,121,000, followed by the Toyota HiAce Commuter 3.0 Manual Transmission variant at Php3,79,000. The HiAce 2.8 Commuter Deluxe Manual Transmission variant is available at Php1,679,000, followed by the Toyota HiAce 2.8 GL Grandia Manual Transmission variant that is priced at Php2,115,000.

Another variant is the Toyota HiAce 2.8 GL Grandia Manual Transmission in Luxury Pearl Toning priced at Php2,130,000. The Toyota HiAce 2.8 GL Grandia Automatic Transmission is available at Php2,190,000, while Php2,205,000 for the Toyota HiAce 2.8 GL Grandia Automatic Transmission in Luxury Pearl Toning.

For the Toyota HiAce GL Grand Tourer Manual Transmission, the price starts at Php2,229,000 up to Php2,244,000, while for the Toyota HiAce 2.8 GL Grand Tourer Manual Transmission in Luxury Pearl Toning. The Automatic Transmission Toyota HiAce 2.8 GL Grand Tourer is priced at Php2,364,000, while Php2,379,000 for a Luxury Pearl Toning variant. And for its top-of-the-line variant is the Toyota HiAce Super Grandia Elite Automatic Transmission, which is available at Php3,043,000.

For the color, there are five color variants to choose from, including the Silver Mica Metallic, Light Blue Metallic, White, Black, and Luxury Pearl Toning.

Powertrain

Powering the 2022 Toyota HiAce is a 2.8-L or 3.0-L 1GD-FTV 16-valve DOHC Inline-4 diesel engine which produces up to 176 horsepower and 450-newton meters of torque, depending on the variant. The engine is matched to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed CVT. For the suspension, it features MacPherson struts for the front and a leaf spring combination for the rear. Ventilated discs are the standard front brakes on all variants, while drums or disc brakes are for the rear, depending on the variant.

Exterior

The new-generation Toyota HiAce features a wide and boxed body finish for all variants with new front noses where the engine is now located. The huge front bumpers vary depending on the variant, which can be either black or color-keyed with the newly designed vent grille. The vent grille comes in silver or chrome, depending on the model variant. There are also halogen reflectors or LED headlamps, halogen or LED fog lamps, and LED DRLs, depending on the variant.

The total dimensions of the Toyota HiAce Grand Tourer are 5,915 millimeters long, 1,950 millimeters wide, and 2,280 millimeters high, and requires two mirrors on each side for better road measures. The tires are 235/65 on 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 185 millimeters of ground clearance.

On the other hand, the Toyota HiAce Super Grandia has chrome touches at the front and at the sides. It measures 5,300 millimeters long, 1,970 millimeters wide, and 1,990 mm high. The side mirrors got the repeaters as well, like the Grand Tourer. The ground clearance is 175 millimeters, and the wheels are also 235/65 on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Interior

The interior of the Toyota HiAce varies depending on the variant. There are 12,14, and 15-seater variants and could either come in vinyl leather or fabric material. There are also charging points all over the cabin. The new Toyota HiAce is less truck than the previous versions as you are no longer sitting on the engine. You’ve got an elevated view, a touchscreen infotainment system that has smartphone mirroring technology, and dual climate controls.

Safety and Security

Although it comes with limited safety and security features compared to its competitors, the Toyota HiAce is a reliable car model. It comes with the standard anti-lock braking system and engine check warning. It also has two airbags, one for the driver and the other for the passenger. The passenger seatbelt, rear seatbelts, and driver seat belt, are also present. The HiAce also includes side impact beams, day and night rearview mirror, and crash sensor for your safety. The security features an engine immobilizer, anti-theft device, central locking, and power door locks.

On the other hand, its top-of-the-line variant, the Toyota HiAce Super Grandia Elite Automatic Transmission comes with the anti-lock braking system, child safety locks, driver airbag, passenger airbag, side airbag, rear seatbelts, front side airbag, rear seatbelts, brake assist, door ajar warning, front impact beams, side-impact beams, vehicle stability control system, engine check warning, day and night rearview mirror, brake assist, vehicle stability control system, EBD, crash sensor, power door locks, engine immobilizer, central locking, anti-theft device, seatbelt warning, and parking sensors for utmost safety.

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