2009 Toyota Hiace updated in the UK market!

Toyota Hiace

The Toyota Hiace in the UK is something quite different from what we get here. The 2009 Hiace gets standard air conditioning, extra sound-proofing, an extra interior light for the load area, antiglare window glass, and some random chrome detailing around the dash. Both short wheelbase and long wheelbase versions are available, with gross vehicle weight sof 2,800kg and 3,000kg respectively. The standard engine is a 2.5 litre D4-D with either 95 or 115 bhp output.

small_toyota_hiace.jpgAnd by the way, did you know that the Hiace is the top stolen vehicle in Japan?

I can see the appeal – the stolen vans can be shipped out to countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, and other third world countries that have use for a van like this.

Some businessmen in these countries are usually more than happy to look for good deals on commercial vans with extraordinarily cheap prices to save on business costs. These vans that are meant as cheap goods movers are also usually not equipped with adequate anti-theft devices because of the low equipment level specified.

It wasn’t always like that though – the Hiace was only number 9 in 2005 but climbed sharply up to 5 the next year. It eventually topped the list in 2008.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • Man35 on May 29, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    haishhh..

    Toyota Unser become Van already…

    good idea by T..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • BanyakMasukWorkshop on May 29, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    looking at the design of the hiace in the UK, its definitely to satisfy crash safety requirements..

    the vans we have in asia, if ever there was a frontal impact, terrible leg injuries are almost a certainty.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • leonardo on May 29, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    With some modifications, it could be a 3rd world answer for an MPV!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mkrafz on May 29, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    hideous..!

    just wait what jeremy clarkson said about that!

    another 'steer clear' ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Doesn't really matter what it looks like, a van is mainly for one purpose (To get loads from A to B). As long as its reliable who really cares?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Paul;

    I'm disbelief when l read about your comment. Euro Hiace actually the same enjoy by Japanese called Granvia and they have safety feature missing in your modern and 'good' looking Hiace for Asians. The good looking and not boring van will take your precious irreplaceable legs compared to Euro Unser-looking Hiace.

    Your impressed design-style (same goes for Urvan, C22 Vannet) will never accepted by the European, no matter we Asians pleased with the design. No wonder Asians manufacturers still complacent and provide us with less safety features vehicle to us. We choose this way.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • In our vans, we sit above the tires, whereas Euro-design tire before us.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Just-once on May 29, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    Looks like it going to compete with Volkswagen Caravelle/Transporter..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • second karl

    yes our hiace looks better but i prefer the wheel in front of us like ford transit and etc

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • elpaciko on May 29, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    waiting for julian lee to say "ugly van, bmw is better"…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on May 29, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    Agreed. The front offers better safety protection. It's only a van for business so practically is most inportant, looks doesn't matter. If the design is too good, then becomes an MPV!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • gtnamiac on May 29, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    Looks like the previous generation Granvia..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Man35 on May 29, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    with some modification..it can become ALPHARD… mwahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • BanyakMasukWorkshop on May 29, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    [quote comment="241922"]With some modifications, it could be a 3rd world answer for an MPV![/quote]

    its already been done ;) its called avanza, and unser.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • initial R on May 29, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    hehe…. unser look. Normal… toyota DNA. But if Jeremy have the ball to test drive this so he also can drive savvy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • barca on May 29, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    the perfect van for japanese-style b**gb*s :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Paul Tan on May 29, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    karl: Sorry I did not know, malunya, don't be so hard on me! ;)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Prem3377 on May 30, 2009 at 12:32 am

    karl,

    you right most of the part but if proton were to produce a Van..then malaysian who is asian people will consider all the safety aspect of the Van and proton atleast need 3 to 4 star to be able to get buyers..thats asian malaysian mentality!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • amirzaim on May 30, 2009 at 12:35 am

    The front new hiace design like unser, yeah….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kom Unix on May 30, 2009 at 1:27 am

    [quote comment="241929"]In our vans, we sit above the tires, whereas Euro-design tire before us.[/quote]

    ya true.. thats why i think something wrong with the picture.. is it PHOTOSHOP picture Paul?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • bmpower on May 30, 2009 at 1:32 am

    [quote comment="241942"]with some modification..it can become ALPHARD… mwahaha[/quote]

    i just want to say that.

    but you're already did it . Hahaha

    Second that.. second that!

    and.. with not so much tuned to be alphard…. walah! it's Innova!!!

    mwahahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Toyota Hiace (200) achieve its cult status of modification in Japan. In Singapore and Thailand has some small group of people follow this trend as well. It can be define as a phenomena for van modification in Japan base of the amount of people involve in it.

    Whenever there is gathering for Hiace owners in Japan, the turn up will be like in thousands of van fill up the huge stadium… the gathering is bigger than any car clubs gathering in Malaysia or Singapore.

    The Japanese installed loads of luxury items and slammed the van to either VIP look or rugged look. Some even has massage chair, home theater, mini swing pool, mini pool table, bed in their van.

    Try google it online, it should be an eyes popping experience about this Japanese modification fever.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Gajen on May 30, 2009 at 3:51 am

    awesome…murderer's van….hahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Paul:

    The design of the UK hiace is not nice as compare with the current one we have.Hope UMW Malaysia would not consider bringing in.I would suggest UMW Malaysia to bring in the 1KD-FTV,3.0 Diesel Turbo Hiace,standard roof, auto version. The auto version is selling very well in Singapore as a lot can be seen running on the road.Really waiting for it to come.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • JULIAN_LEE on May 30, 2009 at 7:37 am

    stupid van, assholera better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • [quote comment="241942"]with some modification..it can become ALPHARD… mwahaha[/quote]

    —–

    exactly….looks like alphard…esp the headlamps

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • this be be an easy job for thiefs to steal

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • [quote comment="241951"]karl: Sorry I did not know, malunya, don't be so hard on me! ;)[/quote]

    Sorry bro, not intended. Forgive me too

    Just to emphasize to big manufacturer like Toyota; they should start this effort (to make safe vehicle) and appreciate more human's life. This is what we called 'societal marketing'. The Granvia already started back in 1995-2000 BUT even Japanese ceased the production. So, in UK their Hiace of sort of our Iswara- borrow life from old donor Lancer/Lancer F; they borrow from 2000 Granvia.

    That's why l can't comprehend why government agencies opt for Hiace (especially for ambulance and to substitute people mover-coaster). Malaysia is one of the most irrational marketplace for vehicle without much safety feature if we talking about LIVE. You'll far safer in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thai or even Indonesia BUT in Malaysia before you drive you're aware that half of your legs in the graveyard already. Accident almost inevitable! Just because Toyota, Nissan still continuing we can't argue that they're OK. Government should opt for Hyundai Grand Starex instead of gas guzzling Hiace 2.7. We can force or at least influenced big names like Toyota to appreciated Asians live as equal as Europeans.

    I still remember when l talked to few LLM (Highwat Authority) officials- LPT East Coast Highway only designed for 130kmh! SO, our van design just make thing worst.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • [quote comment="241970"][quote comment="241929"]In our vans, we sit above the tires, whereas Euro-design tire before us.[/quote]

    ya true.. thats why i think something wrong with the picture.. is it PHOTOSHOP picture Paul?[/quote]

    I mean tires before (front) us.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • [quote comment="241962"]karl,

    you right most of the part but if proton were to produce a Van..then malaysian who is asian people will consider all the safety aspect of the Van and proton atleast need 3 to 4 star to be able to get buyers..thats asian malaysian mentality!!!![/quote]

    Pity Proton but the good side of it: it give more room for Proton to be competitive. BTW, we're too hard for Proton. Whatever "worst" Exora l still perceived Avanza is unacceptable THOUGH l'm fan of iQ, new Wish and Prius nd not to mention Estima and Alphard. Toyota Optimal Drive is one of my dream and with our pricing very old Altis engine should be replace by TOD of Auris lineups. Or P2 was given access to that technology.

    Perhaps Prem, Proton are too complacent for so long? Maybe most people see that Proton existence made our choice were limited as any policies design take into account Proton factor(s)?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hey guys! I'm a proud owner of the new facelift Hiace window van. Should you guys need people transporter…do email me yah…

    TQ TQ

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • zumabilla on Apr 24, 2012 at 6:20 am

    The old Hiace shown in blue above is now discontinued in the UK but rumour has it that the current generation Australian market Hiace will be made Euro V compliant and sold in the UK. http://www.toyota.com.au/hiace/range?WT.ac=VH_HiAce_TopNav_RangeandSpecs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required