GAC Emkoo vs Toyota Hiace
Verdict
The GAC Emkoo and Toyota Hiace answer very different Malaysian needs. The Emkoo costs RM123,800 against the Hiace’s RM169,000, so the RM45,200 gap is large, and it also keeps road tax down at RM120 versus RM1,248. Both make 175 hp, but the Hiace’s 450 Nm diesel torque dwarfs the Emkoo’s 270 Nm. The Toyota also seats 10 instead of five. The GAC is the easier private-car choice on paper; the Toyota is the one with van space and diesel muscle.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want a five-seat petrol SUV with lower purchase price, lower road tax and AEB.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, a huge body and 450 Nm of diesel torque.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Toyota Hiace RM169,000
- Seats: GAC Emkoo 5; Toyota Hiace 10
- Torque: GAC Emkoo 270 Nm; Toyota Hiace 450 Nm
- Length: GAC Emkoo 4,680 mm; Toyota Hiace 5,915 mm
- Fuel tank: GAC Emkoo 55 L; Toyota Hiace 70 L
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120/year; Toyota Hiace RM1,248/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 123,800✓ | RM 169,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Seats | 5 | 10 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Engine | 1,497 cc | 2,755 cc |
| Power | 175 hp | 175 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.8 s | — |
| Top speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Boot space | 638 L | — |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | 70 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 1,248 |
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.
Emkoo
- RM45,200 cheaper to buy
- AEB plus six airbags
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Only five seats
- 270 Nm is well below the Hiace’s 450 Nm
- 55-litre tank is smaller
Hiace
- Seats 10 people
- 450 Nm diesel torque
- 70-litre fuel tank
- RM45,200 dearer to buy
- RM1,248 yearly road tax
- No AEB shown
Emkoo vs Hiace FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Toyota Hiace better?
For private SUV use, the GAC Emkoo is the better fit because it is cheaper, has AEB and has a quoted 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time. For carrying people, the Toyota Hiace wins with 10 seats and much larger dimensions.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM169,000, while the GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800. That makes the Hiace RM45,200 more expensive before considering road tax, where the gap is also big: RM1,248 a year versus RM120.
Which one has more power and torque?
Power is identical at 175 hp. Torque is not close: the Toyota Hiace has 450 Nm from its 2.8-litre diesel, while the GAC Emkoo has 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre petrol engine.