Toyota has entered into the 6th generation of its popular Hiace model in 2019 with its launch in the Philippines.
Toyota Hiace, which was first introduced globally in 1967, has entered into a new phase with the launch of its sixth-generation model. The 5th generation of Hiace that was unveiled in the Philippines back in 2005 has been taken over finally. The all-new Hiace has been introduced in three variants; GL Grandia, GL Grandia Tourer, and Commuter Deluxe. As their name suggests, the first one works as a van, while the second and third variants of Hiace are built for touring and commuting purposes. GL Grandia and GL Grandia Tourer are available in both manual and automatic transmissions while the Commuter variant has only a manual version. This multi-purpose vehicle can carry up to 17 people in its Commuter variant. The auto manufacturer has introduced as many as 29 seating layouts in its three variants.
Moreover, it comes in either a regular or a high-roof design. There is a significant transition in the dimensions of the 2019 Hiace as compared to the previous model, which could be seen in the table below:
Unlike its previous models, Toyota has extended the bonnet of Hiace to ensure enough room for the engine to fit in. The ‘semi-hood’ design language means that the engine will no longer be positioned on top of the front axle. In the previous models of Toyota Hiace, the driver and the front passenger experienced a sense of heat and vibration coming from underneath the seat which won’t be the case anymore. By doing so, the automaker has also given a significant amount of relief to the mechanics who had a hard time accessing the engine compartment previously, for maintenance or servicing purpose. It shows that Toyota has worked out on this particular aspect in its 6th-gen model of Hiace. The engine, however, is equipped with a couple of configurations; a naturally aspirated 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel engine or a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. The customers can choose between the six-speed manual or an automatic transmission version.
The design of all-new Toyota Hiace has been revamped. For the very first time, Hiace gets angular crystal headlamps in the front, courtesy of the redesigned bonnet. The front grille has a sharper look with a thick chrome bar which adds to the aggressive look of the multi-purpose vehicle. There is a comparatively compact lower air intake followed by the bumper underneath that offers a sporty look and also comes equipped with vertical LED DRLs just above the fog lamps. The side body has sharp aerodynamics to help improve the fuel economy of the vehicle. However, the rear vertical brake lamps are quite similar to the one in the previous model. In a bid to improve the ride quality, the company has used an all-new leaf spring suspension at the rear which extends up to 200mm, thus providing an additional 30mm bound stroke. The wide slider door allows easy entry and exit for the passengers. Toyota Hiace 6th generation has an improved level of rigidity in its build quality.
There is more to the story, as Toyota has jumped in with a refreshing look inside the cabin. The company has followed the most innovative and latest design standards while working on the cabin design language. It won’t be wrong to say the interior is an entirely new prospect in the 2019 Toyota Hiace. The extension of windscreen due to the semi-bonnet design along with the additional small glass space on the sides ensures maximum visibility for the driver on its surroundings. The newly designed 3-spoke steering wheel is a more compact unit with several built-in controls including the cruise control feature. The information cluster display gets a completely new design. In the middle of the cabin, there is a new infotainment system with a touchscreen panel. Besides this, there are other controls for air-conditioning and climate control including multiple USB ports provided for charging. With a vertical air vents design in the middle, the dual-tone dashboard looks extremely elegant. Furthermore, there are air vents installed in the roof for the passengers sitting behind as well.
The entirely new design of Toyota Hiace comes from the auto maker’s new TNGA platform. In terms of safety, the vehicle has achieved a five-star rating performance in the Euro NCAP crash test. According to Toyota, the revamped hardware design of Hiace would help the driver stay alert and fresh over long distances. Initially, the all-new Toyota Hiace will go on sale in the Philippines in March 2019. The two variants, GL Grandia and Commuter Deluxe will be available in the first week of March, whereas the entirely new variant of Hiace, GL Grandia Tourer will be available as early as April 2019. The model will gradually go into other automobile markets of Toyota including Asia, Middle East, Africa, and America. However, it’s interesting to note that the JDM-spec model of Hiace is not making a transition into the 6th generation.
The introductory price (converted in Pakistani Rupee) of each variant in accordance with its transmission mode is mentioned below:
• Toyota Hiace Commuter Deluxe – Rs.4,278,110/-
• Toyota Hiace GL Grandia MT – Rs.5,308,624/-
• Toyota Hiace GL Grandia AT – Rs.5,510,690/-
• Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer MT – Rs.5,771,413/-
• Toyota Hiace GL Grandia Tourer AT – Rs.5,973,210/-
A quick reminder, the 5th generation of Toyota Hiace available in Pakistan comes in either 2.5-litre petrol or 2.7-litre diesel engine under the hood with a standard, mid-range and high-roof models. These versions of Hiace are available in a price range of Rs.4.6 – 5.8 million in Pakistan. Therefore, it’s very much obvious that the price of the next generation model, whenever introduced, would be higher than the one introduced in the Philippines. It would be interesting to know when Toyota Indus plans to introduce the next generation of Hiace in Pakistan.
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