Verdict
The GAC M8 is the private-family, executive MPV choice: RM328,800 buys a 7-seat petrol plug-in hybrid with 187 hp, a 179 hp motor, 106 km EV range and richer cabin kit. The Toyota Hiace is much cheaper at RM169,000 and far more commercial in brief, with 10 seats, a 3,860 mm wheelbase and 450 Nm from its 2.8 litre diesel. One is about comfort and electrified running; the other is about carrying more people and luggage duty.
Pick the GAC M8 if you want a 7-seat executive MPV with plug-in hybrid running, captain's seats, more active safety kit and a far plusher cabin.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, diesel torque, rear-wheel drive and a lower entry price for people-moving work.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Toyota Hiace RM169,000
- Seating: GAC M8 7 seats; Toyota Hiace 10 seats
- Output: GAC M8 187 hp and 300 Nm from its petrol side plus a 179 hp/300 Nm motor; Toyota Hiace 175 hp and 450 Nm
- Wheelbase and length: GAC M8 3,070 mm and 5,212 mm; Toyota Hiace 3,860 mm and 5,915 mm
- Fuel and electrification: GAC M8 petrol plug-in hybrid with 25.57 kWh battery and 106 km EV range; Toyota Hiace diesel with no battery range
- Cabin tech: GAC M8 14.6-inch screen and 16 speakers; Toyota Hiace 7-inch screen and 2 speakers
M8
- 106 km EV range, Type 2 AC charging at 6.6 kW and CCS DC charging at 40 kW
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind spot info, lane-keeping assist and 360-degree camera
- Powered front seats, second-row captain's seats, panoramic glass roof and powered sliding doors
- Costs RM159,800 more
- Seats 7, not 10
- Manufacturer mileage warranty is capped at 150,000 km; the Toyota has unlimited mileage
Hiace
- Seats 10 with 10 three-point seat belts
- 450 Nm diesel torque, 70 litre fuel tank and rear-wheel drive
- Longer 3,860 mm wheelbase and ladder-frame chassis
- No plug-in hybrid system or EV-only range
- Lacks autonomous braking, blind spot info and lane-keeping assist
- Manual air-con, manual key and halogen reflector headlamps
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 328,800 | RM 169,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Commercial |
| Segment | Executive | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,755 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp✓ | 175 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Diesel |
| Bore | — | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 15.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 2,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 7 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Afghanistan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 16" Steel |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 10 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | Manual recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | — |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | 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.
M8 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Toyota Hiace better?
For private use, the GAC M8 is better equipped and more advanced. For moving more people at lower cost, the Toyota Hiace is the better tool because it has 10 seats and much more diesel torque.
What is the price difference?
The GAC M8 costs RM159,800 more than the Toyota Hiace. That gap mainly buys plug-in hybrid hardware, more active safety systems, richer cabin equipment and an executive MPV layout.
Which one carries more passengers?
The Toyota Hiace carries more people, with 10 seats and 10 three-point seat belts. The GAC M8 has 7 seats, using second-row individual captain's seats and a 60:40 split-folding third row.