The Toyota HiAce is a light commercial vehicle configured in various body styles, including a pickup truck, passenger van, panel van, crew van, minibus, and ambulance. This vehicle has earned a solid reputation for its reliability over many decades. Its production began in 1967, and it is still going strong in its sixth generation.
First Generation (1967-1977)
The HiAce first reached Australia in 1971. It followed a one-box small van design which was a common sight on European streets at the time. This van with double headlights was designed primarily as a transport vehicle that could fit eight occupants. The Australian market had the HiAce in its base, commuter, and ute versions.
It was a rear-wheel-drive with 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre front-mounted engine, pushing power through a four-speed manual transmission. The engines had the following outputs:
- 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine (48 kW of power and 114 Nm of torque)
- 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine (59 kW of power and 137 Nm of torque)
Second Generation (1977-1982)
The second-generation Toyota HiAce gained a slightly newer look, highlighted by its streamlined design and new single headlights (unlike the double lights in the first generation). This new generation saw the HiAce grow in length and height, with some versions including a high roof.
As with the first generation, the HiAce came in many different configurations. These included a 2- or 4-door pickup and a 3- or 4-door van. To visualise its interior space, the commuter version (people mover) could fit up to 15 occupants.
For this generation, the engines used for the Toyota HiAce in Australia included 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engines, with another 2.0-litre diesel option added. These engines produced the following outputs:
- 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine (48 kW power and 114 Nm torque)
- 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine (59 kW power and 137 Nm torque)
- 2.2-litre diesel engine (46 kW power and 126 Nm torque)
All versions of the second-generation Toyota HiAce used a 4-speed manual transmission.
Even with the release of the third generation in 1982, the second generation HiAce stayed in production for a few years and were primarily used in African and Asian markets as public transportation.
Third Generation (1982-1989)
In 1982, Toyota came out with the third-generation HiAce. This time around, the vehicle came with more options for its wheelbases, including short, long, and super-long wheelbase.
In Australia, the third-generation Toyota HiAce came with engine options of 1.6- and 2.0-litre petrol, as well as 2.2- and 2.8-litre diesel units. These came with transmissions of 4/5-speed manual and 4-speed auto. Third-generation HiAces had engines with maximum outputs of:
- 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine (48 kW power and 114 Nm torque)
- 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine (59 kW power and 137 Nm torque)
- 2.2-litre diesel engine (46 kW power and 126 Nm torque)
- 2.8-litre diesel engine (60 kW power and 185 Nm torque)
This generation had a much more comfortable interior with the introduction of air-conditioning as a standard feature on some models.
Fourth Generation (1989-2004)
For the fourth generation, the Toyota HiAce came with 3/4/5-door van body types. The variants came with wheelbases of various lengths (standard, long, super long) and a high-roof option as well.
Trim levels offered for the fourth generation were the base DX model, followed by more upmarket trim levels like the CD, GL, and Super GL. Typically, the base model came with central locking and power steering. The upmarket models came with more comfortable interiors and entertainment systems like a radio cassette with two speakers. It might not sound like much for present-day models, but bear in mind this was a great feature to have in cars of the '90s.
In Australia, the Toyota HiAce came with 2.4- and 2.7-litre engines, and that's not even counting the diesel models yet! The diesel HiAce models came with 2.5-, 2.8- and 3.0-litre diesel engines. These engines had the following outputs:
- 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine (85 kW power and 200 Nm torque)
- 2.7-litre 4-cylinder engine (111 kW power and 241 Nm torque)
- 2.5-litre diesel engine (75 kW power and 260 Nm torque)
- 2.8-litre diesel engine (60 kW power and 185 Nm torque)
- 3.0-litre diesel engine (66 kW power and 192 Nm torque)
These engines were paired with transmissions of 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual.
Fifth Generation (2004-2018)
When the fifth-generation Toyota HiAce was released, it had an updated look that fits well with modern vehicle styles. Just as before, this vehicle came in different wheelbase lengths (long, super-long) and even had a high roof option for some of its models. Generally, it came in 3/4/5-door van or minibus body types.
As a more recent version of the HiAce, the fifth-generation included many modern features not seen in previous generations. Examples of this are safety features like dual front airbags, an engine immobiliser, and ABS. There were also features like power windows, power steering, and even power mirrors which made driving the HiAce much more convenient.
In the Australian market, the fifth-generation Toyota HiAce were offered with 2.4- and 2.7- litre engines, with a 3.0-litre diesel engine option as well. These are paired with transmissions of 5-speed manual and 4- or 6-speed automatic. These engines have maximum outputs of:
- 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine (85kW power and 200 Nm torque)
- 2.7-litre 4-cylinder engine (118 kW and 243 Nm torque)
- 3.0-litre diesel engine (66 kW power and 192 Nm torque)
Sixth Generation (2019-Present)
The sixth-generation Toyota HiAce released in Australia in 2019 were of several types - long-wheelbase van and crew van and the super-long-wheelbase van and commuter van - and had either four or five doors.
Base models of the sixth-generation HiAce come standard with ABS, cruise control, brake assist, dual front airbags and much more.
Aussie models of the sixth-generation HiAce generally came with 2.7- or 3.5-litre engines, with 2.8- or 3.0-litre diesel engines as well. These engines came with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions. They have maximum outputs of:
- 2.7-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (118 kW power and 243 Nm torque)
- 3.5-litre 4-cylinder V6 petrol engine (207 kW power and 351 torque)
- 2.8-litre diesel engine (130 kW power and 450 Nm torque)
- 3.0-litre diesel engine (100 kW power and 300 Nm torque)
Overall, the Toyota HiAce has proven its worth over many decades since 1967. With its wide range of applications, there's no doubt that this commercial vehicle will continue serving the needs of many for a very long time to come.
Upkeep of this hardy vehicle would constantly require replacement parts. If you want to opt for secondhand parts and accessories, we invite you to visit the Carpart.com.au website and check out our current listing. In case you don’t find what you need from what’s currently available, you may send us a car parts request and we’ll help you search for it from sellers affiliated with us.