Verdict
These two cost virtually the same, but serve radically different jobs. The Mazda CX-30 brings 162 hp, a six-speed automatic, five seats and a 430-litre boot into a 4,395 mm SUV package, with six airbags and stability control. Toyota’s Hiace is the taller, 4,695 mm commercial choice: its 2.5-litre diesel makes 260 Nm, drives all four wheels and carries 70 litres of fuel, but has only two seats, a five-speed manual and two airbags. For private daily use, the Mazda is the clear fit; choose the Toyota only when its commercial layout matters.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you need five seats, a 430-litre boot, automatic transmission and substantially fuller safety equipment for daily family use.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm of diesel torque, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Power: Mazda CX-30 162 hp; Toyota Hiace 101 hp.
- Torque: Mazda CX-30 213 Nm; Toyota Hiace 260 Nm.
- Transmission: Mazda CX-30 six-speed automatic; Toyota Hiace five-speed manual.
- Seating: Mazda CX-30 five seats; Toyota Hiace two seats.
- Safety: Mazda CX-30 has six airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace has two airbags and no stability control.
- Size: Mazda CX-30 is 4,395 mm long and 1,540 mm tall; Toyota Hiace is 4,695 mm long and 2,285 mm tall.
CX-30
- 162 hp petrol engine with six-speed automatic
- Five seats and 430-litre boot
- Six airbags, stability control and ISOFIX for two rear seats
- Produces 213 Nm, against the Hiace’s 260 Nm
- Front-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive
- 51-litre tank is 19 litres smaller
Hiace
- 260 Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel with all-wheel drive
- 70-litre fuel tank and full-size steel spare wheel
- Rear air-con vents with blower and two rear parking sensors
- 101 hp trails the CX-30’s 162 hp
- Five-speed manual instead of a six-speed automatic
- Only two airbags and no stability control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM122,409✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 162 hp✓ | 101 hp |
| Torque | 213 Nm | 260 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 6.4 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 196 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,395 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,655 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,441 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 215/65R16 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 215/65R16 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 16" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control Plus | — |
| 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's Knee | 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | Emergency Stop Signal | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 Walk-away Auto Lock | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Convenience Notes | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service | — |
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 CX-30 & Hiace for sale
CX-30 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Mazda CX-30 or Toyota Hiace better?
The Mazda CX-30 is better for private transport, with five seats, a 430-litre boot, automatic transmission, six airbags and stability control. The Toyota Hiace suits commercial use requiring two seats, all-wheel drive and 260 Nm of diesel torque.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000 and the Mazda CX-30 costs RM122,409, so the Hiace is RM591 more expensive.
Which one has better safety equipment?
The Mazda CX-30 has the stronger safety specification: six airbags, stability control, ISOFIX on two outer rear seats, emergency stop signal and a reverse camera. The Toyota Hiace has driver and passenger airbags, ABS/EBD and two rear parking sensors, but no stability control.