Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer needing a five-seat vehicle, the Chery O5 is the clear fit at RM116,800, RM6,200 below the RM123,000 Toyota Hiace. Its 145 hp 1.5-litre petrol turbo and six-speed wet DCT bring 44 hp more than the Hiace’s 101 hp 2.5-litre diesel manual, while six airbags, stability control and autonomous braking are major safety advantages. The Hiace counters with 260 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre tank, but it is a two-seat commercial vehicle with RM835 annual road tax against the O5’s RM120.
Pick the Chery O5 if you need five seats, SUV comfort and far more active and passive safety for RM6,200 less.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your job requires a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre diesel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Chery O5 RM116,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Power and torque: Chery O5 145 hp and 230 Nm; Toyota Hiace 101 hp and 260 Nm.
- Transmission: Chery O5 six-speed wet DCT; Toyota Hiace five-speed manual.
- Seats: Chery O5 five; Toyota Hiace two.
- Safety: Chery O5 six airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace two airbags and no stability control.
- Warranty: Chery O5 seven years/150,000 km; Toyota Hiace three years/100,000 km.
O5
- RM6,200 lower purchase price and RM120 annual road tax.
- Five seats, 378-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera.
- 230 Nm is 30 Nm down on the Toyota Hiace.
- Its 51-litre fuel tank is 19 litres smaller than the Toyota Hiace’s 70-litre tank.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Toyota Hiace’s all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- 260 Nm from its 2.5-litre diesel engine.
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre.
- RM6,200 dearer to buy, with RM835 annual road tax versus RM120.
- Only two seats, against the Chery O5’s five.
- Two airbags and no stability control, versus six airbags and stability control in the Chery O5.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM116,800✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 145 hp✓ | 101 hp |
| Torque | 230 Nm | 260 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 77 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed DCT | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,400 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,588 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,630 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,434 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 378 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Giti GitiComfort F50 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide, Manual Sunshade | — |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 1 Front 15W Wireless Charger, 1 Front 12V Socket, 1 Rear USB, 1 Boot 12V Socket | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen Display, Sony Premium Audio with 8 Speakers, Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 3 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used O5 & Hiace for sale
O5 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Chery O5 or Toyota Hiace better?
The Chery O5 is better for private five-seat use: it costs less, has 145 hp, six airbags, stability control and a seven-year/150,000 km warranty. Choose the Toyota Hiace only if its two-seat commercial layout, 260 Nm diesel output and all-wheel drive suit the job.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, which is RM6,200 more than the Chery O5 at RM116,800. Its annual road tax is also RM835, compared with RM120 for the O5.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Chery O5 has the stronger safety specification: six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and a 360-degree camera. The Toyota Hiace has two airbags, ABS/EBD and no stability control.