Suzuki eVitara vs Toyota Hiace
Verdict
This is a use-case decision more than a straight size-class fight. The Suzuki eVitara costs RM188,000, RM19,000 more than the Toyota Hiace at RM169,000, but it gives you EV running with a 61.1 kWh battery, 426 km range, 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time and RM120 annual road tax. The Hiace is the people-mover: 10 seats, a 2.8-litre diesel, 450 Nm and a huge 5,915 mm body, but road tax is RM1,248 a year.
Pick the Suzuki eVitara if you want a five-seat electric SUV with 426 km range, AEB and much lower annual road tax.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need 10 seats, diesel torque and the space of a commercial van more than EV running costs.
Key differences
- Price: Suzuki eVitara RM188,000; Toyota Hiace RM169,000
- Seating: Suzuki eVitara 5 seats; Toyota Hiace 10 seats
- Powertrain: Suzuki eVitara single electric motor; Toyota Hiace 2,755 cc diesel
- Output: Suzuki eVitara 172 hp; Toyota Hiace 175 hp
- Size: Suzuki eVitara 4,275 mm long; Toyota Hiace 5,915 mm long
- Road tax: Suzuki eVitara RM120/year; Toyota Hiace RM1,248/year
eVitara
- 426 km EV range from a 61.1 kWh battery
- 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 7 airbags and AEB listed
- RM19,000 dearer to buy
- Only 5 seats beside the Hiace’s 10
- Top speed is 150 km/h
Hiace
- 10-seat cabin
- 450 Nm from the 2,755 cc diesel
- 70-litre fuel tank
- RM1,248 annual road tax
- AEB is not listed
- Much larger to place at 5,915 mm long and 2,280 mm tall
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 188,000 | 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 | 172 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 193 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | — |
| Battery Capacity | 61.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 426 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 67 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 | 8.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 150 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,275 mm | 5,915 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 2,280 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 3,860 mm |
| Weight | 1,788 kg | 2,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 306 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/65R16C |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | MRF Wanderer Ecotred | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | India (CBU) | Afghanistan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-links | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 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, Driver's Knee, 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Manual recline |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Front Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Infinity Sound System | 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 Push Button | 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, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km BEV Components Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | 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.
eVitara vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Suzuki eVitara or Toyota Hiace better?
The Suzuki eVitara is better for private EV use, with 426 km range, AEB and RM120 road tax. The Toyota Hiace is better for carrying people, with 10 seats and 450 Nm from its diesel engine.
What is the price difference?
The Suzuki eVitara costs RM188,000, while the Toyota Hiace costs RM169,000. That makes the Suzuki RM19,000 more expensive before considering annual road tax.
Which one is cheaper to tax each year?
The Suzuki eVitara is far cheaper to tax at RM120 a year. The Toyota Hiace is listed at RM1,248 a year, so the annual road tax gap is RM1,128.