smart #1 vs Toyota Hiace
Verdict
At RM169,000 each, this is a straight choice between pace and people. The smart #1 is the private-buyer play: 268 hp, rear-wheel drive, a 49.0 kWh battery, 315 km EV range and 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds in a 4,270 mm SUV. The Toyota Hiace is the work tool, with 10 seats, a 2,755 cc diesel, 450 Nm, a 70-litre tank and a huge 5,915 mm body. The smart is cheaper to tax at RM260 versus RM1,248, but the Hiace has the extra warranty year.
Pick the smart #1 if you want a five-seat electric SUV with 268 hp, 315 km range and far lower annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, diesel torque and a much larger commercial vehicle body.
Key differences
- Price: smart #1 RM169,000; Toyota Hiace RM169,000
- Seats: smart #1 5; Toyota Hiace 10
- Powertrain: smart #1 single-motor electric; Toyota Hiace 2,755 cc diesel
- Power: smart #1 268 hp; Toyota Hiace 175 hp
- Length/height: smart #1 4,270/1,636 mm; Toyota Hiace 5,915/2,280 mm
- Road tax: smart #1 RM260/year; Toyota Hiace RM1,248/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 169,000 | RM 169,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Seats | 5 | 10 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Diesel |
| Engine | Single motor | 2,755 cc |
| Power | 268 hp✓ | 175 hp |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.7 s | — |
| Top speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 49.0 kWh | — |
| EV range | 315 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,270 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,822 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,636 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Boot space | 411 L | — |
| Fuel tank | — | 70 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 4 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 260✓ | 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.
#1
- 268 hp and 6.7-second 0-100 km/h
- 315 km EV range from a 49.0 kWh battery
- 7 airbags plus auto emergency braking
- Only 5 seats beside the Hiace’s 10
- 4-year warranty versus Toyota’s 5
Hiace
- 10 seats at the same RM169,000
- 450 Nm from the 2,755 cc diesel
- 5-year warranty and 70-litre fuel tank
- 175 hp trails the smart’s 268 hp
- RM1,248 annual road tax
- No auto emergency braking; 6 airbags versus 7
#1 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the smart #1 or Toyota Hiace better?
For family use and low road tax, the smart #1 is better; it is faster, electric and has 7 airbags plus AEB. For carrying people, the Toyota Hiace wins with 10 seats, a 70-litre diesel tank and a larger body.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference. Both are priced at RM169,000, so the decision is about use case: five-seat electric SUV or 10-seat diesel commercial vehicle.
Which one is bigger?
The Toyota Hiace is much bigger: 5,915 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 2,280 mm tall, against the smart #1’s 4,270 mm, 1,822 mm and 1,636 mm.