Honda e:N1 vs Toyota Hiace
Verdict
The Honda e:N1 is the private-car choice here: RM149,900, electric, five seats, 410 km of range, a 201 hp front motor and a 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time. The Toyota Hiace asks RM169,000 and is a different tool altogether, with 10 seats, a 2.8-litre diesel, 175 hp, 450 Nm and rear-wheel drive. For a Malaysian buyer, the split is clear: the e:N1 is easier to live with daily, while the Hiace earns its size when people-carrying matters.
Pick the Honda e:N1 if you want a five-seat electric SUV with 410 km range, lower road tax and a stated 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, a 70-litre diesel tank and the sheer cabin length of a commercial van.
Key differences
- Price: Honda e:N1 RM149,900; Toyota Hiace RM169,000
- Seats: Honda e:N1 5; Toyota Hiace 10
- Powertrain: Honda e:N1 electric single motor; Toyota Hiace 2,755 cc diesel
- Power: Honda e:N1 201 hp; Toyota Hiace 175 hp
- Size: Honda e:N1 4,380 mm long; Toyota Hiace 5,915 mm long
- Road tax: Honda e:N1 RM160 a year; Toyota Hiace RM1,248 a year
e:N1
- 410 km EV range
- 201 hp and 7.7-second 0-100 km/h
- RM160 annual road tax
- Only five seats
- 344-litre boot
- Front-wheel drive only
Hiace
- 10-seat cabin
- 450 Nm of torque
- 70-litre fuel tank
- RM1,248 annual road tax
- Much larger 5,915 mm body
- No stated 0-100 km/h figure
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 149,900✓ | RM 169,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,755 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 175 hp |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Diesel |
| Bore | — | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 15.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| EV Range | 410 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 78 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6 Speed Sequential Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,380 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,607 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Weight | 1,662 kg | 2,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 344 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Afghanistan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke 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 Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 10 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | Manual recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 15.1" Portrait Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 7" Infotainment Touchscreen with 2 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | 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 | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 160✓ | 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.
e:N1 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Honda e:N1 or Toyota Hiace better?
The Honda e:N1 is better for private daily use, with electric drive, 410 km range and lower road tax. The Toyota Hiace is better if you need 10 seats and commercial-vehicle space.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM19,100 more than the Honda e:N1. That gap mainly buys a much larger commercial body, 10 seats and a diesel powertrain rather than EV performance.
Which one carries more people?
The Toyota Hiace carries more people, with 10 seats against the Honda e:N1’s five. If passenger capacity is the priority, this is the deciding number.