Verdict
At RM99,980, the Mitsubishi Xpander is the clear family-car choice: it carries seven people, has a 495-litre boot, stability control and a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, but its commercial brief is fundamentally different. Its two-seat cabin, 260 Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel, all-wheel drive and 70-litre tank suit work where load-hauling hardware matters more than passenger accommodation. The Xpander is also cheaper to tax at RM120 a year against RM835, and its five-year unlimited-mileage warranty is far friendlier for private ownership.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, modern family equipment and a much lower RM120 annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm of diesel torque, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre tank suits the job.
Key differences
- Price: Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Seats: Mitsubishi Xpander 7; Toyota Hiace 2.
- Torque: Mitsubishi Xpander 141 Nm; Toyota Hiace 260 Nm.
- Driveline: Mitsubishi Xpander front-wheel drive; Toyota Hiace all-wheel drive.
- Road tax: Mitsubishi Xpander RM120/year; Toyota Hiace RM835/year.
- Warranty: Mitsubishi Xpander 5 years/unlimited mileage; Toyota Hiace 3 years/100,000 km.
Xpander
- Seven seats and a 495-litre boot.
- Stability control, hill-start assist and reverse camera.
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- 141 Nm is well down on the Hiace's 260 Nm.
- 45-litre fuel tank versus the Hiace's 70 litres.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- 260 Nm from a 2.5-litre turbodiesel.
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre fuel tank.
- Five-speed manual transmission.
- Only two seats against the Xpander's seven.
- No stability control, reverse camera or cruise control.
- Three-year/100,000-km warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM99,980✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | MPV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 104 hp✓ | 101 hp |
| Torque | 141 Nm | 260 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 75 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 4AT | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 4 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,475 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,750 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,775 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,240 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 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 | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Manual Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | — |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 Xpander & Hiace for sale
Xpander vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Xpander or Toyota Hiace better?
The Xpander is better for family transport, with seven seats, a 495-litre boot, stability control and lower running tax. The Hiace is better for two-seat commercial work, thanks to 260 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre tank.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace is RM23,020 more expensive than the Mitsubishi Xpander: RM123,000 versus RM99,980.
Which has better safety equipment?
The Xpander has the stronger active-safety list, adding stability control and hill-start assist to ABS/EBD and two airbags. Both have driver and passenger airbags plus ABS/EBD, but the Hiace has no stability control.