Reviews - Toyota

Overall Rating

It's not flash and it's not fancy but it is one of the most competitively priced panel vans on the market. So if money is your motivation the Toyota Hiace is worth a look at. It has gone through several transformations and revamps.

• Excellent engine
• Cost effective
• Functional Reliable

• Low specification
• Not the most stylish panel van
• Cheap interior

The Toyota Hiace has been around for a while and is not the most modern panel van, under different names and disguises but it has worn well due to re-vamps and several transformations. Toyota has kept prices down filtering through to the used market so there are bargains to be had. It doesn?t have flashy badges and if style is your main motivation look elsewhere. However if you want to improve your balance sheet this is a panel van with lots of equipment and a pretty good engine. The Hiace comes with the entry-level 280 and 300 models get standard trim and these are the cheapest Hiace vans you can buy. You get what you pay for in the Hiace range, so if you want a bit more choose either GS or the ultimate GS-Xtra specifications. Presiding at the pinnacle of the range, the GS-Xtra 280 and 300. Standard equipment includes driver's airbag, ABS brakes, central locking, a radio cassette and power steering. The GS models add a heated, tinted rear window with wash-wipe on a lifting tailgate or a pair of unglazed side hinged rear doors. A steel bulkhead with window is included as are an adjustable steering wheel and adjustable seatbelts. GS-Xtra gives you electric windows, a Sony CD player and air-conditioning There are two gross vehicle weights and these are denoted in the different model names by the prefixes 280 (2,800kg GVW) and 300 (3,000kg GVW). The 300s are long wheelbase models with a 2,975mm load length and a 1,260kg max payload, while the 280s are smaller between the wheels. They offer a 2,535mm load length and a 1,140kg payload potential. Two versions of the same engine power the Hiace, Toyota D-4D engines have won much praise and the Hiaces 2.5-litre units are common-rail configuration. Choose from either 88 or 102bhp power outputs. The engines are powerful and economical. Seating is comfortable and well designed. The cabin is a bit plastic and Toyota has forgotten about cabin storage.

A good solid van, reasonably priced with a competent engine. So it lacks a bit of style and sophistication but if you can see past this it?s worth considering.