Verdict
These vehicles answer radically different Malaysian jobs. The Nissan Kicks e-Power costs RM9,200 less, carries five people and combines a 136 hp, 280 Nm motor with a 2.1 kWh battery; its RM85 annual road tax and five-year/100,000 km warranty suit private ownership. The Toyota Hiace is the two-seat commercial alternative: its 2.5-litre turbodiesel makes 260 Nm, drives all four wheels and has a 70-litre tank, but annual road tax is RM835. Choose function first, because the Hiace does not replace an SUV’s passenger and safety brief.
Pick the Nissan Kicks e-Power if you need five seats, a 423-litre boot, stronger safety equipment and lower annual running commitments.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your work requires a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive, a 260 Nm turbodiesel and a 70-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Kicks e-Power RM113,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Annual road tax: Nissan Kicks e-Power RM85; Toyota Hiace RM835.
- Seats: Nissan Kicks e-Power 5; Toyota Hiace 2.
- Fuel tank: Nissan Kicks e-Power 41 litres; Toyota Hiace 70 litres.
- Warranty: Nissan Kicks e-Power 5 years/100,000 km; Toyota Hiace 3 years/100,000 km.
- Length and height: Nissan Kicks e-Power 4,384 mm and 1,610 mm; Toyota Hiace 4,695 mm and 2,285 mm.
Kicks e-Power
- 136 hp and 280 Nm electric motor with a 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats, 423-litre boot and 60:40 split-fold rear seats
- Autonomous braking, stability control, reverse camera and seven airbags
- 41-litre fuel tank is 29 litres smaller than the Hiace’s 70-litre tank
- Front-wheel drive instead of the Hiace’s all-wheel-drive layout
- 4,384 mm body is 311 mm shorter than the Hiace for commercial-space needs
Hiace
- 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 260 Nm and drives all four wheels
- 70-litre fuel tank and full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre
- Rear air vents with blower and leaf-spring rear suspension
- RM9,200 higher purchase price and RM750 more annual road tax
- Only two seats, against the Kicks e-Power’s five
- Two airbags and no stability control, autonomous braking or reverse camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM113,800✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM85✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,198 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 82 hp | 101 hp✓ |
| Torque | 103 Nm | 260 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore | 78 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 18.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 2.1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 21.7 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,384 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,813 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,610 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,673 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 41 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 423 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama BluEarth E70 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 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 & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | — |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | — |
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 Kicks e-Power & Hiace for sale
Kicks e-Power vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Nissan Kicks e-Power or Toyota Hiace better?
The Kicks e-Power is the better private-use choice with five seats, a 423-litre boot, seven airbags, stability control and autonomous braking. The Hiace suits commercial work needing all-wheel drive, 260 Nm and a 70-litre tank.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Kicks e-Power is RM9,200 cheaper than the Toyota Hiace. It also has RM85 annual road tax versus RM835 for the Hiace, a further RM750 yearly difference.
Which has the stronger drivetrain?
The Kicks e-Power’s electric motor produces 136 hp and 280 Nm, while the Hiace’s 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 101 hp and 260 Nm. The Hiace has all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual; the Kicks uses an eCVT automatic.